MSC curriculum for
Audiology
Mark E Lutman/Jane Burgneay
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton
Two main levels
• Practitioner Training Programme (PTP)
– 3-year BSc degree with integrated placements
• Scientist Training Programme (STP)
– 3-year training programme containing specialist
Masters degree (think of BAA HTS scheme)
2
PTP – BSc in Health Care
Science (modality)
• Main modalities in Physiological Sciences division
– Cardiology, Respiratory, Vascular sciences (CRV)
[plumbers]
– Audiology, Neurophysiology, Vision sciences (ANV)
[electricians]
3
Vertical structure of
curriculum
• Generic modules
– Common across Health Care Sciences (HCS)
– Example: Research Methods
• Division-specific modules
– Common across division (or sub-division: CRV, ANV)
– Example: Scientific Basis of Neurosensory Sciences
• Discipline-specific modules
– Specific to Audiology, or other discipline
4
PTP horizontal structure
• Year 1
– Generic 70 credits, Division-specific 50 credits
• Year 2
– Generic [20], Division [90], Discipline (placement) [10]
• Year 3
– Generic [10], Discipline [60], Discipline (project) [30],
Discipline (placement) [20]
5
Differences from current
• 3 years instead of 4 years
• HEFCE funded (students pay fee contribution, no NHS bursaries, no
paid placement)
• More generic and division-specific, less discipline-specific learning
• Reduced paediatric and vestibular competencies
• Reduced period of clinical placement
• No inter-professional learning in curriculum
• Additional training will be required in post - preceptorship
• Learning outcomes defined by MSC team (with input from profession)
rather than by profession
• Curriculum defined by MSC team (with input from profession), rather
than by HEIs
6
Timing
• Start date
– 2011/12 academic year
• Placement schedule (suggested)
– Year 1 tasters
Semester 1 (10 weeks)
– Year 2 placement
Summer vacation (15 weeks JulySept
– Year 3 placement
Semester 2 (25 weeks ?Feb-June)
• Transition issues
– Need to complete NHS-funded placement years by end
June 2013
7
Year
New 3 year route
2010-11
Existing 4 year route
final intake
Y1
2011-12
Y2
Y1
2012-13
Y3
Y2
2013-14
Y4
Y3
0
8
2010-11
27 September –
end August
2011-12
Beginning
September –
end July
2012-13
Beginning
August to end
June
Current Y2 on
placement and
current PG Dips
Current Y1 on
placement
2010-11 intake
for current 4year
programme on
placement
First cohort of
new programme
reaches Y2 for 3
month
placement
starting July
9
PTP: known unknowns
• Funding for placements awaiting MPET review
• Availability of sufficient HEFCE student numbers
• Regulation and registration
• Which universities will run BSc/workforce planning
• Effect on student recruitment (support from DH/NHS for
promotion of new degrees)
• Accreditation processes
• Placement availability, organisation and liabilities
• Commissioning
10
PTP: known unknowns - IRCP
• Hosting and funding
– IRCP group had made some headway on this last year
– MSC on-line tool - unknown
• Content of IRCP
• Will all HEIs delivering the new BSc use the IRCP? Will we
know who they are?
11
Fragility of placements
• Uncertainties and dissatisfaction over Modernising
Scientific Careers
• Creeping privatisation of audiology services
• Instability due to arbitrary decision-making by PCTs
• The Health White Paper fuels the perceptions of
uncertainty
12
Year 2/3 placements
• Suggestion that we put year 2 and 3 placements back to
back ie from July – January incl.
• Therefore year 1 taster sessions could run from Feb-May
• Will also need to consider STP placements
13
Opportunities
• Somewhat broader education will be beneficial in the longer term
• More flexible pathways for education and training, especially at Masters
level
• Potential for internationalisation, especially at Masters level
• Less direct control of programmes from DH and NHS (as a
consequence of HEFCE funding)
• More explicit end-on training for BSc graduates will be required
• Opportunity to reflect and build on past experience
14
STP: structure
• No curriculum yet
• 3-year funded training posts (like current clinical scientist
trainees)
• Encompasses MSc degree
• Suggested plan
– Full-time semester 1 of MSc at start of STP
– Modular semester 2 modules individually arranged over
remaining 2.5 years
– Research project normally at work base with HEI
supervision
– Alternative semester 1 modules for practising
audiologists (e.g. BSc Audiology)
15
STP: known unknowns
• Number of STP trainee posts
• Salary structure and payment to host departments
• Recruitment process
• Number of universities offering MSc
• Who will organise work-based rotations
• Regulation and registration
• Placement requirement and availability
• Assessment of competence; relation to HTS
• Accreditation process
• Commissioning
16