MCh Master of Surgery

Summary 2012/13

• Study a postgraduate programme for experienced, qualified doctors who are registered with the General Medical Council and eligible to work full-time in the UK;
• Advance your clinical practice in your specialist area (Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology, or Trauma and Orthopaedics);
• Develop a sound understanding of research and an evidenced-based approach to your clinical practice;
• Benefit from a course accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons.

If you are not resident in the UK, or you are not registered with the General Medical Council, you may be eligible to study our alternative full-time MCh Studies programme.

The MCh enables experienced, qualified doctors to develop an evidence- based approach to health care practice and to obtain a postgraduate qualification whilst enhancing their surgical clinical expertise.

The programme has been designed in collaboration with senior surgeons and academics and is at the cutting edge of both contemporary surgical practice and research.

Three pathways are available:

• MCh Otorhinolaryngology
• MCh Rhinology
• MCh Trauma and Orthopaedics

Whichever pathway you choose, the programme will be delivered in partnership with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. Wrightington Hospital is recognised as a Centre of Excellence (Orthopaedic Surgery) and has clinical facilities / laboratories that will provide you with excellent learning opportunities.

2012 Entry Requirements

In addition to having, at minimum, a lower second-class honours degree in a health or social care related subject, you will also need to be registered with the General Medical Council to work in the UK and have been in the country for a minimum of three years. You must have demonstrable clinical expertise and some experience in surgery, be in employment and have access to placements within the specialist area, namely Orthopaedics, or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).

Summary 2013/14

• Study a postgraduate programme for experienced, qualified doctors who are registered with the General Medical Council and eligible to work full-time in the UK;
• Advance your clinical practice in your specialist area (Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology, or Trauma and Orthopaedics);
• Develop a sound understanding of research and an evidenced-based approach to your clinical practice;
• Benefit from a course accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons.

If you are not resident in the UK, or you are not registered with the General Medical Council, you may be eligible to study our alternative full-time MCh Studies programme.

The MCh enables experienced, qualified doctors to develop an evidence- based approach to health care practice and to obtain a postgraduate qualification whilst enhancing their surgical clinical expertise.

The programme has been designed in collaboration with senior surgeons and academics and is at the cutting edge of both contemporary surgical practice and research.

Three pathways are available:

• MCh Otorhinolaryngology
• MCh Rhinology
• MCh Trauma and Orthopaedics

Whichever pathway you choose, the programme will be delivered in partnership with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. Wrightington Hospital is recognised as a Centre of Excellence (Orthopaedic Surgery) and has clinical facilities / laboratories that will provide you with excellent learning opportunities.

2013 Entry Requirements

In addition to having, at minimum, a lower second-class honours degree in a health or social care related subject, you will also need to be registered with the General Medical Council to work in the UK and have been in the country for a minimum of three years. You must have demonstrable clinical expertise and some experience in surgery, be in employment and have access to placements within the specialist area, namely Orthopaedics, or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is for experienced, qualified doctors who are aspiring to a career in Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology or Trauma and Orthopaedics and wish to enhance their surgical expertise.

What will I gain from this programme?

The programme has been developed in response to local and national drivers that require doctors to develop an evidence-based approach to practice. You will develop a critical understanding of evidence-based practice and research methodologies and acquire the ability to evaluate, synthesise, generate and disseminate the findings of research.

The programme will allow you to extend your knowledge and skills to advanced levels within your specialist area of work. The clinical modules focus on practical skills in operative surgery with the use of interactive teaching aids and practical workshops. Wrightington Hospital has a well-equipped bio-skills laboratory and new clinical simulation laboratory. You will develop high levels of autonomy and advanced decision-making skills, applying these within your specialist area of practice.

How we will support you

You will be allocated a clinical supervisor from your workplace and an academic supervisor from Edge Hill University.

The clinical supervisor role is undertaken by a senior doctor, usually a consultant, who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate clinical supervision of your day-to-day clinical performance occurs at all times, with regular feedback offered.

Contact with course tutors will be available face-to-face, via email and through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will have full access to the University learning support services, library resources and other campus facilities.

What will I study?

This programme consists of three distinct 20 credit clinical modules, two 30 credit clinical research modules and a 60 credit dissertation. Topics covered will include:

• Specialist aspects of evidence based practice in surgery - the application of advanced knowledge of physiology, pathology, microbiology and imaging to clinical trauma and orthopaedics, otorhinolaryngology or rhinology. The aim is to enable you to acquire an advanced understanding of the process of service innovation in the relevant subject area;
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods;
• Critiquing research findings;
• Writing a research proposal;
• Analysis of quantitative data;
• Systematic reviews;
• Research governance and ethics;
• Focus on a significant piece of investigative enquiry from conceptualisation through to completion.

How will I study?

The programme is delivered over two to three years, commencing in September each year. The academic year runs from September through to July, though the dissertation submission will be in September of the second year, with the option to defer the dissertation to the third year. You will experience a variety of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, seminars, individual and group tutorials and independent guided study.

An online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is used for some components of the programme. The surgical modules have elements of practice-based learning and involve the completion of a log of practical experience which complements the course material. The dissertation allows you to focus on a significant piece of investigative enquiry from conceptualisation through to completion.

Placement

During your course you will be attached to a consultant firm either at senior house officer (SHO) or middle grade level. You will have a named supervisor to guide you through your routine clinical work. The terms and conditions relating to your employment are governed by each individual Trust.

Who will be teaching me?

The programme team consists of experienced academic staff from across Edge Hill University and expert clinicians from Wrightington Hospital. This collaborative approach provides a team of high calibre individuals to support your learning. Additionally, leading surgeons from related specialities are invited as guest speakers on the surgical modules. Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for the teaching quality of its programmes. All staff involved in the delivery of modules and pathways within this programme are currently involved in scholarly and research related activities which are congruent with their teaching responsibilities.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods include a research proposal, written assignments, completion of online activities and discussions, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), clinical log books, seminar presentations and a dissertation.

What are my career prospects?

Medical professionals need to continually seek ways to improve their career prospects in an increasingly competitive job market where a postgraduate qualification is often now deemed essential.

The MCh Studies provides a highly relevant qualification for doctors working in the specialist area of Otorhinlaryngoglogy, Rhinology or Trauma and Orthopaedics which will add to your portfolio of qualifications and provide you with opportunities for professional development supported by expert clinicians and academics.

Professional Accreditation

This is an academic award and although the course takes cognisance of the Modernising Medical Careers Framework, you should note it is not a recognised training programme approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. The MCh is, however, accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons.

Further study at Edge Hill University

The MCh programme provides training in research methods so it is excellent preparation if you wish to progress to a research degree.

Related Programmes

If you are not resident in the UK, or you are not registered with the General Medical Council, you may be eligible to study our alternative MCh Studies programme.

We also offer an MSc Evidence Based Medicine and Practice for health and social care practitioners from a range of backgrounds who are looking to gain a solid grounding in the research methods and statistics underpinning evidence based practice.

How do I apply?

If you wish to apply for this programme, please email your CV to Julia Berry at Julia.Berry@wwl.nhs.uk in the first instance.

Fees and Finance

Please contact the programme leader for information on tuition fees for MCh students in academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Where can I find out more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about the course, please contact:

• Carol Kelly, Programme Leader, Edge Hill University
• Tel: 01695 657090
• Email: kellyc@edgehill.ac.uk

Alternatively, please contact:

• Julia Berry, MCh Course Administrator, Wrightington Hospital
• Tel: 01257 256408
• Email: Julia.Berry@wwl.nhs.uk

Overseas students should contact the Centre of International Education by calling +44 1695 584489 or emailing international@edgehill.ac.uk with any queries.

Modules

HEA 4065 Clinical Research Part I: Critical Appraisal of Published Research introduces you to the research process through the recognition of the fundamental stages of research design. Based on the principles of 'Good Clinical Practice', the module will focus on appraisal of the research question, design, methods, ethical issues, and data management and analysis strategies.

HEA 4066 Clinical Research Part II: Developing a Research Proposal introduces you to the research process including philosophical fundamentals of both quantitative and qualitative traditions and a range of research methodologies. The module will guide you through the crucial stages of developing a research proposal. From conceptualisation of the research question, choosing the most appropriate design, planning methods, addressing ethical issues, identifying data management and data analysis strategies, and planning dissemination, the module will introduce you to various clinical research approaches and the necessary considerations to enable a rigorous plan of enquiry.

HEA 4067 Foundations of Evidence Based Clinical Practice focuses on the critical interpretation of evidence that underpins the delivery of care and the effective application of evidence and associated leading-edge technology. Your work based experience is used to enhance the contextualisation and acquisition of personal and practice based competencies. There will be a rigorous partnership framework of expert mentorship and supervision provided by appropriately qualified staff in your organisation (normally a consultant).

The module content will draw upon applied anatomy, physiology and cell biology, the utilisation of evidence within clinical practice, advanced clinical decision making and clinical reasoning, diagnosis and evidence based management of common clinical conditions, and the ethical and medico-legal aspects of clinical practice. The module is assessed through the completion of a log book, OSCEs and an essay.

You will study the following modules on the Otorhinolaryngology pathway only:

HEA 4068 Evidence Based Practice in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery focuses on the application of advanced knowledge of physiology, pathology, microbiology and imaging to clinical otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery. The module enables you to acquire an advanced understanding of the process of service innovation. You will undertake this module within a rigorous partnership framework of expert mentorship and supervision provided by appropriately qualified staff in your organisation (normally a consultant). Assessment of this module is undertaken through the completion of a small scale audit.

HEA 4071 Otorhinolarygology and Rhinology Anatomy focuses on the application of current knowledge of applied surgical anatomy and its relevance to current head and neck surgical practice. The understanding of anatomy forms the basis for the delivery of advanced surgical care, focusing on the critical interpretation of surgical approaches. The module enables you to acquire an advanced understanding of applied anatomy and physiology. Assessment of this module is undertaken through an OSCE.

You will study the following modules on the Trauma and Orthopaedics pathway only:

HEA 4069 Evidence Based Practice in Trauma and Orthopaedics focuses on the application of advanced knowledge of physiology, pathology, microbiology and imaging to clinical trauma and orthopaedics. The module enables you to acquire an advanced understanding of the process of service innovation in trauma and orthopaedics. You will undertake this module within a rigorous partnership framework of expert mentorship and supervision provided by appropriately qualified staff in your organisation (normally a consultant). Assessment of this module is undertaken through the completion of a small scale audit.

HEA 4072 Orthopaedic Anatomy focuses on the application of current knowledge of applied surgical anatomy and its relevance to current orthopaedic surgical practice. The understanding of anatomy forms the basis for the delivery of advanced surgical care, focusing on the critical interpretation of surgical approaches. The module enables you to acquire an advanced understanding of applied anatomy and physiology. Assessment of this module is undertaken through an OSCE.

You will study the following module on the Rhinology pathway only:

HEA 4070 Evidenced Based Practice in Rhinology covers all aspects of nasal and sinus disease including allergy, infection, inflammatory conditions, rhinitis and tumours. It also involves treating diseases close to the nose such as prominent eyes in thyroid disease, and watery eyes caused by blocked tear ducts in addition to excision of tumours (benign and malignant) in this area. Assessment of this module is undertaken through the completion of a small scale audit.

Much surgery is nowadays performed via the endoscopic approach (key hole surgery). This module will focus on the current advances in management of nasal and sinus conditions including study of the patho-physiologic basis of sino-nasal disorders. The module also covers the facial plastic surgery of the nose.

Students on all MCh pathways complete a dissertation:

HEA 4081 Masters Dissertation for Health and Social Care Professionals. The dissertation is a key component of a Master's programme and the culmination of your postgraduate study. It enables you to focus on a significant piece of investigative enquiry from conceptualisation through to completion.

The dissertation is designed to facilitate you to conduct a project, which relates to and which informs your particular area of professional practice and gives you experience of supervised research/inquiry. Within this module "research" is interpreted to include evidence-based practice, library research, as well as action research involving qualitative and or quantitative methods. You may also be able to undertake historical / archival research.

The dissertation must be related to an aspect of practice associated with your area of work and relevant to the pathway studied. This will be open to discussion and negotiation. You will be encouraged to choose an area of inquiry that will potentially enhance practice.