Primary Care - Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Medicine

The Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Medicine is delivered part-time over two years. It offers a University Diploma level qualification.



The course is open to doctors and allied health professionals interested in developing expertise in musculoskeletal medicine. This may include those working in General Practice, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Rheumatology, Physiotherapy, and Sports Medicine.



Training is offered in the diagnosis and management of the full range of musculoskeletal conditions. The course is delivered by consultants in Orthopaedic Surgery and Rheumatology and emphasises a practical approach. Students will be expected to develop applicable clinical skills, including expertise in musculoskeletal examination, first-responder management of pitch-side and roadside trauma, and administering musculoskeletal injections using anatomic and ultrasound guided techniques.



What Will I Learn?

Semesters 1 and 2

Distance and Online Learning:

Distance and online learning allow students to develop their expertise in the full range of musculoskeletal medical conditions in these semesters. In addition, full day workshops held every six weeks allow students to put into practice their examination techniques, develop expertise in MSK injections using anatomic and ultrasound guided techniques and to develop proficiency in early trauma management.



Online resources allow students to work at their own pace during the semester. This flexible, practitioner-focused approach to course delivery takes account of and caters for time and work pressures experienced by busy clinicians.



In addition to the clinical course content, students will also complete a module of medical scholarship allowing them to:

• Develop their research skills, allowing them to successfully complete a research project (review literature, plan and enact a project, analyse and interpret findings, disseminate their work).

• Review own practice and improve patient care through clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives

• Critical thinking, analysis and problem solving.



Semester 3

Clinical Placement:

Students will have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements (80 hours over 2 weeks) with Consultants in Orthopaedic Surgery and Rheumatology in the out-patient (OPD) setting, allowing them to broaden their clinical exposure and hone their diagnostic skills. In addition, students will gain a deeper understanding of the use of diagnostic modalities, clinical decision making and treatment options at secondary and tertiary levels of care.



Module Options include:

• Sports

• Spine

• Joint Replacement: Hip & Knee

• Shoulder & Upper Limb

• Hand

• Foot and Ankle Surgery

• Paediatrics



This course is targeted towards:

• Doctors working in clinical practice wishing to develop a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine.

• Physiotherapists working in clinical practice wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in musculoskeletal medicine.

• Physicians Assistants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and other relevant Allied Health Practitioners working in clinical practice wishing to develop a specialist interest in musculoskeletal medicine.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 4 of:

Stage 1, Year 1, Core Modules

MDCS42100 Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I Autumn 10

MDCS42120 Contemporary Issues in PC & GP Autumn 10

MDCS42110 Primary Care (Orthopaedics) II Spring 10

MDCS42130 Scholarship Enhancing ClinPrac Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Students will select this module in August/September 2026.

MDCS42140 Primary Care(Orthopaedics) III Autumn 20

• Have relevant clinical experience in orthopaedics, primary care or physiotherapy, and be working in active clinical practice.



AND



• Hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Medicine, and be in good standing with the Irish Medical Council; or



• Hold a BSc in physiotherapy and are registered with CORU.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.



All candidates may be subject to an interview process once all necessary documents are submitted.



Please note that Garda Vetting may also be required.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

16 months part-time.

X900: Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Medicine Part-time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught