Surgery & Medicine - Advanced Clinical Practice

Why study Advanced Clinical Practice at RCSI Dublin?
RCSI’s two-year part time MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice is a career advancing, internationally recognised and research-based degree. Our flexible programme, which is open to non-consultant health doctors in Ireland, offers candidates a wide range of opportunities such as:

- Developing your key skills and critical understanding of modern day clinical practice in order to progress into new roles within you specialty.

- Championing key advanced practice competencies to the benefit of modern day patient care which include evidence-based research, leadership, education, and clinical practice.

- Elevating your knowledge and expertise of advanced practice through carefully selected modules which will provide you with a structured clinical teaching and training experience.

- Becoming a well-rounded advanced clinical practitioner within your field in order to enhance your medical CV.

Course details
The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice presents a unique opportunity in delivering expertise to physicians and dentists from all specialties and sub-specialties including NCHDs in clinical medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, pathology, paediatrics, anaesthesiology, radiology, ophthalmology, dentistry and emergency medicine. The overall aim of the programme is to help junior physicians in training to prepare for the professional challenges that will arise as they train and develop their own practice.

Suitabilty
The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice is open to all non-consultant health doctors in Ireland within non-surgical specialities such as radiology, anaesthesiology, general practice, emergency medicine, pathology, public health, occupational health, and all general medical specialties.

Programme aim
The aim of the Advanced Clinical Practice programme is to provide clinicians of various specialties a systematic understanding of the professional skills and techniques needed to provide leadership, management, teaching and research in clinical practice. Scholars on this programme will be able to gain a suite of essential skills and competencies in clinical practice in order to take on more advanced roles within your specialty, sector or setting.

Through extensive research of different non-surgical specialties, this programme is based on a number of critical modules that will help clinician’s better meet the demands of modern day clinical practice. Modules have also been selected based on clinicians having a positive impact on patient care in their practice. The programme is NUI-accredited.

Uniquely in year two, scholars will construct a comprehensive research strategy and produce a thesis inclusive of an original piece of research relating to an area of current advanced clinical practice. The Research Methods, Protocol Development, Design and Analysis modules in year one will equip you with the tools to prepare, manage, and design this substantial research project. Academic staff will also be available to support you in relation to you research dissertation.

Optimal clinical performance requires awareness and full understanding of the wider context in which modern medicine is practiced. Our MSc includes clinically relevant topics such as healthcare management, Lean QI and medical technology and innovation. An increased understanding of these areas will optimise the care you give to your patients.

Course details
The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice presents a unique opportunity to clinicians looking to develop their key skills and expertise in the field of advanced clinical practice. The overall aim of the programme is to develop clinicians in preparing for the professional challenges that will arise within modern day clinical practice.

Completing this part-time MSc will support your development both personally and professionally. Access to subject matter experts on clinically relevant topics will expand your knowledge on contemporary health related topics. This Masters will challenge you to develop higher order skills in a psychologically safe environment. You will benefit from peer assisted learning and peer observation building a professional network and on-going community of practice.

The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice aims to give clinicians in training and in practice, the opportunity to explore areas of professional development that are not traditionally addressed in current higher specialist training programmes.

Scholars will be enabled to develop practical research skills and also be taught through a diverse menu of modules that we believe address the professional needs of modern clinical practice.

Please email macp@rcsi.com with any queries.

Modules
There are four core taught modules which are mandatory, and three optional modules of which two must be completed to make the 60 credits + Research Dissertation (30 credits).

Core Modules 55 ECTS:
• Research Methods Protocol Development, Design and Analysis
This module will equip you with the tools to prepare, manage, and design a substantial research project.

• Healthcare Ethics and Law
This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to gain a deeper and more systematic understanding of ethical and legal issues both in principle and in practical aspects of healthcare and clinical research.

• Professionalism and Advanced Communication
This module aims to support the development of the core skills below through exploring the concept of professionalism and the principles and practice of advanced communication.

• Lean QI and Healthcare
This module aims to develop an understanding of the evolution and guiding principles of lean healthcare and the link between 'lean', your patients and patient value.

• Research Dissertation
In order to successfully achieve the qualification of an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, you must complete a research report to the standard of a high-quality research article.

Optional modules - Must complete a minimum 35 ECTS from below:
• Clinicians as Educators – Effective Teaching Skills
This module aims to support and promote the development of your role as a teacher and assessor in clinical practice.

• Leading Your Service and Organisation
The aims of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the nature of service and the factors that contribute to excellence in leading service in healthcare through lectures, guest speakers, seminars, readings and assignments.

• Medical Technology and Innovation
The aim of this module is to provide you with hands-on experience in the industry of medical invention, from identifying un-met needs to developing clinical and market strategies. The module will also seek to build your awareness of the various roles of clinical professionals in the design and development of medical devices.

• Professionalism and Advanced Communication
This module aims to support the development of the core skills below through exploring the concept of professionalism and the principles and practice of advanced communication.

• Lean QI and Healthcare
This module aims to develop an understanding of the evolution and guiding principles of lean healthcare and the link between 'lean', your patients and patient value.

• Global Surgery
The aim of this module is to introduce surgeons in training to the global healthcare context and specific issues relevant to the surgical profession. You are expected to gain awareness of surgical needs unique to developing countries and in humanitarian crises.

• Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I
This module aims to enhance a student's capacity to assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions that commonly present to GPs and in primary care, to conduct a clinical assessment and to perform therapeutic procedures (e.g. joint injections) with use of diagnostic imaging where appropriate and available.

• Primary Care (Orthopaedics) II
This module follows on from the Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I module.

To be considered eligible for the programme, you must:

- Hold the degree of MB/BAO/BCh or equivalent

- Possess good undergraduate and postgraduate records and references

- Ideally have some practical experience and knowledge of clinical research as there is a strong research component within the programme

English language proficiency
Candidates must have one of the following:
1. Third level education through English

2. At least one year of full time clinical practice in an Irish or UK hospital ( Letter from employer or consultant)

3. IELTS >6.5 (or equivalent)

2 years part-time.

If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email macp@rcsi.com

Your Future
The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice aims to give clinicians in training and in practice, the opportunity to explore areas of professional development that are not traditionally addressed in current higher specialist training programmes.

Scholars will be enabled to develop practical research skills and also be taught through a diverse menu of modules that we believe address the professional needs of modern clinical practice.