University of Bradford:
Postgraduate Programme specification
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Health Studies
Division of Service Development and Improvement
Programme title: PG Dip/PG Cert in Musculoskeletal Medicine with
Rheumatology for General Practitioners with a Special Interest
Awarding institution:
Final award:
Programme title:
Programme accredited by:
Level
Duration:
UCAS code:
Date produced:
Last updated :
University of Bradford
PG Diploma, PG Certificate Framework for
Higher Education Qualifications level 7
Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for
General Practitioners with a Special Interest
Royal College of General Practitioners
British Society of Rheumatology
7
18 months part-time
N/A
May 2008
January 2014
Introduction
This programme is one of a series of programmes which is taught by NHS West and South
Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit (WSYBCSU) and awarded by the
University of Bradford. The programmes fall under the collaborative provision regulations, so
although the programmes are taught wholly from within the NHS, quality assurance and
assessment are governed by University of Bradford regulations.
This part-time diploma programme contains a large element of work-based and shared
learning. As attendance in Bradford only requires a total of 7 study days on 4 separate
occasions throughout the 18 months, the programme is accessible to students nationally.
This programme enables General Practitioners (GPs) to gain a formally recognised standard
of competence in the area of Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology (MSK) as a
Special Interest. It is the first postgraduate competence-based programme for GPwSIs to
offer national accreditation in this subject, run from within the NHS and taught by consultants
and GPs with a Special Interest. In this regard, the programme has been well received by
key professional medical bodies.
The programme structure is specifically designed to encourage the development of this
specialist practitioner role, by encouraging collaborative clinical work-based training between
the GP and the consultant.
During the programme the emphasis will lie on critical thinking, reflective learning and
practicing of evidence-based medicine. The programme is taught mainly from within the NHS,
by specialist consultants and Practitioners with a Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine
and Rheumatology and by Service Improvement Managers.
Programme Aims
Postgraduate Certificate Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
develop the specialist knowledge and skills to enable you to work independently to
treat patients with either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies
or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the
cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders and to
deal with complex clinical situations systematically;
develop a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of consultant
specialists and the multidisciplinary team in secondary care and to establish
appropriate relationships with these professionals;
position practitioners at the forefront of musculoskeletal/rheumatological knowledge
to develop and establish the most appropriate integrated care pathways between
primary and secondary care for the patient with current NHS guidelines;
engage practitioners in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills, a
thorough knowledge of critical appraisal and reflective practice;
provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable nationally recognised
training in either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or
disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical,
thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders.
Postgraduate Diploma Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
develop the specialist knowledge and skills to enable primary care practitioners to
practice musculoskeletal medicine and rheumatology at a higher level and to deal
with complex clinical situations systematically;
develop a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of consultant
specialists and the multidisciplinary team in secondary care and to establish
appropriate relationships with these professionals;
position practitioners at the forefront of musculoskeletal/rheumatological knowledge
to develop and establish the most appropriate integrated care pathways between
primary and secondary care for the patient with current NHS guidelines;
engage practitioners in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills, a
thorough knowledge of critical appraisal and reflective practice;
provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable nationally recognised
training in musculoskeletal medicine with rheumatology.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Postgraduate Certificate Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this award, you will be able to:
B1 Subject Knowledge and Understanding
B1.1 critically analyse and apply current and emerging knowledge at the forefront of the
discipline with regard to the pathophysiology and epidemiology of either disorders of
the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and
metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and
chronic widespread pain disorders;
B1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice within the care pathway
linking primary and secondary care in line with the current recommendations;
B1.3 make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within the relevant care pathway with
regard to the treatment and referral of patients with either disorders of the upper limb
and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone
disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread
pain disorders;
B2 Discipline Skills
B2.1 Diagnose and manage patients with either disorders of the upper limb and
inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease
or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain by
means of appropriate investigations, clinical interventions, referrals and/or lifestyle
advice;
B2.2 Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the most appropriate treatment
modality for patients who present with either disorders of the upper limb and
inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease
or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain
disorders and treat or refer accordingly;
B2.3 Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to patients and the clinical team;
B2.4 Critically appraise and update own clinical knowledge and skills;
B2.5 Evaluate the GPwSI role, and its implications for the whole patient pathway and current
techniques for improving the delivery of patient care.
B3
B3.1
B3.2
B3.3
Personal Transferable Skills
Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary context.
Communicate effectively.
Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of information, and make complex
decisions as a result of this process.
B3.4 Use information technology as a medium for communication and presentation of data.
B3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma will be able to progress to the MSc in
Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for Practitioners with a Special Interest.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma will have a greater breadth of knowledge of
Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology than those who complete the Certificate. This
programme is delivered through the School of Health Studies at the University of Bradford.
Postgraduate Diploma Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this award, you will be able to:
B1 Subject Knowledge and Understanding
B1.1 critically analyse and apply current and emerging knowledge at the forefront of the
discipline with regard to the pathophysiology and epidemiology of musculoskeletal
disease;
B1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice within the care pathway
linking primary and secondary care in line with the current recommendations;
B1.3 make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within the relevant care pathway with
regard to the treatment and referral of patients;
B2
Discipline Skills
B2.1 Diagnose and manage patients by means of appropriate investigations, clinical
interventions, referrals and/or lifestyle advice;
B2.2 Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the most appropriate treatment
modality for patients who present with musculoskeletal and rheumatological disorders
and treat or refer accordingly;
B2.3 Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to patients and the clinical team;
B2.4 Critically appraise and update own clinical knowledge and skills;
B2.5 Evaluate the GPwSI role, and its implications for the whole patient pathway and current
techniques for improving the delivery of patient care.
B3
B3.1
B3.2
B3.3
Personal Transferable Skills
Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary context.
Communicate effectively.
Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of information, and make complex
decisions as a result of this process.
B3.4 Use information technology as a medium for communication and presentation of data.
B3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.
The Curriculum
The Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for Practitioners
with a Special Interest is a modular programme encompassing four modules, three of which
are clinical and one of which is a service improvement module. Each of the three clinical
modules lasts six months. The service improvement module (Applied Methodologies) can be
taken alongside one or more of the other modules, over a maximum period of 18 months.
Postgraduate Certificate
Module Title
Module
Code
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
Core
30
7
Up to
18
months
HH-8000T
Applied Methodologies
HH-8023T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Upper Limb and Inflammatory
Arthropathies
Option
30
7
6
months
HH-8024T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Lower Limb and Metabolic Bone
Disease
Option
30
7
6
months
HH-8025T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar
Spine and Chronic Widespread
Pain Disorders
Option
30
7
6
months
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
Postgraduate Diploma
Module
Code
Module Title
HH-8000T
Applied Methodologies
Core
30
7
18
months
HH-8023T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Upper Limb and Inflammatory
Core
30
7
6
months
Arthropathies
HH-8024T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Lower Limb and Metabolic Bone
Disease
Core
30
7
6
months
HH-8025T
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the
Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar
Spine and Chronic Widespread
Pain Disorders
Core
30
7
6
months
Each module is worth 30 credits, amounting to a total of 120 credits. For the Postgraduate
Diploma, all 30-credit modules are core modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate, the only
core module is the Applied Methodologies (AM) module. One or two options may be chosen
from the clinical modules to form your programme of study. Any 30-credit module can be
studied independently, outside of a Postgraduate award.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University’s programme approval, monitoring and
review procedures.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The Postgraduate Diploma is run and delivered by WSYBCSU and the award is made
through the University of Bradford. A key feature of the programme is the development of
clinical competence in a work environment.
A variety of teaching methods is employed in the programme, to enable you to fulfill the
varied modular learning outcomes. The learning within the programme is gained through:
1 Direct tuition: this occurs at the beginning of each module in Bradford. Tutors are
available by email if required during placement periods to handle learning queries.
Tutors are clinical practitioners (PwSIs and consultant specialists).
2 work-based learning: this forms the central part of the programme of study, in the form of
clinical placements – each six month module should contain at least 14 weeks of hands
on practical study in a secondary care environment. This learning is undertaken on
placement in the locality, under the supervision of a clinical mentor. You will approach
the mentor in the first instance: they must be a GMC registered consultant in
Orthopedics or Rheumatology whose name appears on a national register of
practitioners, and who has teaching experience. The clinical mentor will receive a
specific Mentor Guide including advice and support from the programme management
team in fulfilling the role of mentor.
3 guided reading (given by tutor and mentor): this complements the placement and
enables you to fulfil the theoretical background necessary for your placement activities,
and prepares you for your written and presentational assignments.
4 e-learning: the virtual learning environment gives access to the peer group and tutors
during placement, facilitating learning through clinical discussion, as well as providing
support.
5 local research and application: The AM module involves working within the healthcare
community to apply 3 different methodologies; learning takes place during the activities
of researching and reading information, planning, preparation and application of these.
You will be provided with a detailed student handbook, containing guidance, marking criteria
and reading lists. Assessment is designed to enable you to have a rounded measurement of
the skills needed for your role in the healthcare community.
Clinical competence is verified through mentor signature after observation and discussion
during the placement periods. Injections are assessed using the Direct Observation of
Procedural Skills (DOPS) form.
Learning outcome B1.1, B1.3, B2.1 and B2.3 will be developed through lectures, seminars
and workshops on the teaching/assessment days; a programme manual; practical
engagement with patients in the hospital setting under the supervision and mentorship of the
consultant; reflective discussion with the mentor; reflective learning through case study
preparation and clinical learning diary recording; the application of learning with patients in
general practice and will be supported by guided reading. It will be assessed through clinical
case studies, the learning diary and clinical competency and DOPS forms. Outcome B1.2
and B2.5 will be developed through the Applied Methodologies module and its written
assignments. Outcome B2.2 will be developed through practical engagement with patients in
the hospital setting as well as the own practice under the supervision and mentorship of the
consultant and through reflective discussion with the mentor on these and other occasions,
and will be assessed through the clinical competencies and learning diary, as well as
through the clinical case studies. Outcome B2.4 and B3.1 – B3.3 will be developed
throughout the programme in all modules and assessed through written and presentation
work, as well as the learning diary and the clinical competencies. Outcome B3.4 is
developed throughout the programme when making presentations, writing essays and
submitting work for the Applied Methodologies programme.
Optionality is available to students studying for the Certificate in their choice of modules. It is
available to students studying for the diploma in the choice of cases for the written reflective
studies and the presentations.
Assessment Regulations
Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard
University Assessment Regulations which are available at the link below, there are a
number of exceptions to these regulations. http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinancesand-regulations/
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous
academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual
application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a
candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this
particular programme.
Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but
consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic
qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to
parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to
provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum.
Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the
University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to
make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme
leader before you apply to discuss these.
The entry requirements for this programme are as follows:




you must be a suitably qualified registered primary or secondary care practitioner,
demonstrating successful study skills at level 6, with at least two years relevant work
experience;
you must obtain written support from an NHS hospital trust consultant (GMC
Registered) in Musculoskeletal Medicine, Orthopaedics or Rheumatology for
mentorship and the provision of a clinical attachment;
You must produce evidence of relevant registered qualification, currency and
academic qualifications:
As the assessment elements of the postgraduate diploma require a substantial amount
of written work at level 7, in accordance with regulations from the University of
Bradford we ask that non-native speakers complete an IELTS English Language Exam
at a minimum of 6.5 before they begin their studies.
It is desirable for you to have experience in postgraduate education.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of
Management, provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your
studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas
for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians provide
training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your
assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in the library and elsewhere on the campus. Many of
these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the
internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both
on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal
information and programme-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to provide help should you need it, and there is a 24/7
IT helpline available.
Students are encouraged to access the material available for students available at
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/distance/. All students must undertake the plagiarism
avoidance package available on blackboard on the School of Health Studies information
point.
Students may also contact the librarian at their own Trust, from whom they should be able to
obtain an Athens password to access further NHS on-line resources.
Student Support and Guidance
Programme Team
Support for you personally and in your programme of study will be provided both by the
University, the Programme Team and your clinical mentor. The School will ensure that there
is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be
allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will be one of the clinical tutors, on your
first teaching day. Information on the role of PATs can be found on the School of Health
information point. You will be provided with a comprehensive handbook that you can consult
on a range of learning issues and your programme tutors will be available to consult on
subject specific queries.
We value the feedback provided by students and you will be provided with the formal
opportunity to comment on the programme contents and delivery and other aspects of the
programme after the teaching days, the end of each clinical module and at the end of the
programme.
However, students are encouraged to give informal feedback to the
programme team whenever they wish. All issues are addressed rapidly.
Students’ Union
We value feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Student’s Union,
through a system of Student representatives and formal Student Forums, so that any
issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.
The Students Union provide professional academic representation and advice. The
Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide
confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of
your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (part of the
Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council
tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of
additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.
Careers and Employability
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this
is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the
programme from Career Development Services including help to find part-time work while
studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to
access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web site
www.careers.brad.ac.uk.
Learner Development Unit for Academic Skills Advice
For postgraduate students on taught programmes who are looking to improve their
marks during their time at university, study skills and maths advice is available to all
regardless of degree discipline. Students can access a programme of interactive
workshops and clinics which is delivered throughout the year. This is in addition ot our
extremely popular face-to-face guidance from our advisers, who also offer a wide range
of online and paper based materials for self-study.
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/academic-skills/
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are committed to
ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to everyone. The Disability Service
can help by providing equipment and advice to help you get the most out of your time at
Bradford and is a place where you can discuss any concerns you may have about
adjustments that you may need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other
issues. For more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or
via email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the principles of
sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and teaching, research
activities, campus operations and lives of our staff and students. We do not claim to be a
beacon for sustainable development but we aspire to become a leading University in this
area. The facilities we create for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces,
laboratories, IT labs and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitment to
sustainable development.
Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its success and its inclusion in the
programme specification is a clear signal that it is at the forefront of our thinking in
programme development, delivery, monitoring and review. For more details see
www.bradford.ac.uk/ecoversity/ .
Further Information:
For further information, please contact the Education Programmes Team at NHS West and
South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit, Douglas Mill, Bowling Old
Lane, Bradford, BD5 7JR, tel no 01274 237759, or psi@bradford.nhs.uk.
or check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.
The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
The Admissions Office
School of Health Studies
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
http://www.brad.ac.uk/courses/
+44 (0)1274 236367
http://www.brad.ac.uk/health