MSc Regional Anaesthesia (Part time)

Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia have developed first higher degree qualification in Regional Anaesthesia in the UK with support from the major anaesthetic organisations, including the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) and Regional Anaesthesia United Kingdom (RA-UK).

It is clear that there is a substantial need for a higher qualification in regional anaesthesia to evidence the skills and knowledge of those trained in this subspecialty. Whilst regional anaesthesia is the biggest and most popular sub-speciality in anaesthesia a major obstacle for current trainees working toward CCT is a lack of time for high quality learning in this area. In response we have developed a part-time work-based study programme using e-learning and distance learning methods that offers students a high standard of teaching along with the flexibility they require, while also taking into account the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and Modernisation of Medical Careers (MMC).

Flexible Training

The heart of the course will be the e-learning hub – a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) within which all the learning and forum discussions will take place. The VLE will provide a repository for all students’ training needs, from access to directed reading, to feedback from course tutors. It will allow students great flexibility to progress in a goal-directed way when they themselves have the time to study. Problem-based learning scenarios will encourage students to identify learning objectives through researching the literature, ensuring that theory and practice are soundly evidence-based on strong scientific principles. Students will receive adequate mentoring support, both online and locally, from the time of enrolment until they complete their research project.

Our Curriculum

Our course offers both theoretical and practical elements .It is being designed to reward students stepwise over a 3-year study period.

Theory Element

• The course comprises 6 compulsory modules towards the MSc degree.
• On completion of the first 3 modules, students will receive a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) and after completion of 6 modules a Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) and after acceptance of a research dissertation, the MSc degree.
• Each module will last 16 weeks and will offer students 35 hours of e-tutoring within an estimated 165 hours of reading and research required over 3 years.
• Topics covered will include anatomy, pharmacology, neurophysiology, methodology, research, clinical governance and anaesthesia in various sub-specialities and special situations.
• There will be a standard bi-weekly format, with tests at the end of each 2-week period involving MCQs, EMQs and/or script concordance methods.

Practical Element:

We will help students to achieve a high standard in performing the basic blocks and prepare them for a practical examination that will take place at the end of the 6 module theory course. We will have in place practical learning objectives for common blocks, a description of the range of competencies required by students, and clearly defined problem-based assessments. The methods of assessment will be clearly described, and the delivery of training will follow an integrated pattern as part of the theory.

Course Organiser:Dr. Stefanus Oosthuysen

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Entry Requirements Degree Subject: Medicine Degree Classification: Pass, Merit or equivalent Special Entry Requirements: GMC accredited, Post FRCA (or the equivalent), ST5 and Career Grade Doctors with 2 yrs experience or Consultant Anaesthetists. Please note that currently this course is only available to UK students. Course Open To

Please note that currently this course is only available to UK students.

Some of the distinctive and innovative features of this course are;

• The first e-learning specialist MSc degree in Regional Anaesthesia in the UK
• Highly evidence based programme delivered using Problem Based Learning (PBL)
• The assessment of practical skills provides a quality benchmark, a first in the UK
• It is the highest qualification in this field in the UK and world-wide
• Delivered by a UK-wide eminent faculty of nationally recognised experts in the field
• Uses innovative and cutting edge assessment tools including Script Concordance testing for assessing clinical reasoning and decision-making
• Quality assurance given by UEA, RA-UK and ultimately the Royal College of Anaesthetists

The online format of this programme ensures that the course is ‘visually rich’ and will offer students the opportunity to join a Video Club. Through this, experts can offer feedback on problems encountered, or rare anatomical variations (as an example) could be shared with the faculty.

Innovations include a ‘Student Wiki’ in which students will share information and scientific papers. There will be continual assessments of forum activity by faculty, and, judging from other successful UEA Master’s courses, the level of debate will prove exceptionally stimulating for students and faculty alike!

About Norwich Medical School

Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia has established a reputation for exciting and innovative approaches to education supported by a strong and rapidly developing research programme.

As part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences it has a growing emphasis on inter-professional co-operation in teaching and research.

The School itself is building a strong reputation in Population Medicine, Health Economics, Diet and Health and BioMedicine with laboratory work now being concentrated in the newly built BioMedical Research Centre.

Fees and Funding

The fee for the entire three year course starting in the academic year 2013/14 is:

• UK/EU Students: £6,800 plus dissertation costs.

It is possible to pay the tuition fee by module (thereby spreading the cost of the course over the three years of the course); a fee payment form will be sent with offer letters for students to request this.

For further information about Postgraduate part-time tuition fees, please visit our tuition fee webpages.

Fees for future years are subject to increase.