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University College Dublin

Spinal Studies

This certificate aims to educate healthcare professionals on the science of the vertebral column. It addresses the fundamentals of common pathologies and recent developments in treatment. Students will develop their knowledge base of functional anatomy and spinal pathology to allow them to recognise clinical patterns for diagnosis and delegation / referral.

On completion of this certificate, you have be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of spinal functional anatomy
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of spinal pathology and clinical examination
3. Take a focused spinal subjective history and perform a complete clinical examination
4. Understand the degenerative process and patients' needs along this spectrum
5. Create a problem list and treatment plan from a spinal patient presentation
6. Consider alterantive evidence based diagnoses and treatments

Entry requirements

Graduate healthcare professionals with a recognised degree in Medicine, Physiotherapy or Nursing*

*Advanced Nurse Practitioner (in Rheumatology, Orthopaedics or Emergency Medicine)

Duration

6 months

Further enquiries

Contact Name:Gráinne O'Donoghue
Contact Number:01 7166500

Subjects taught

Stage 1 - Core
Spinal Studies PHTY40970

Core subjects include: 1) function and anatomy; 2) degenerative thoracic and lumbar spine; 3) degenerative cervical spine; 4) spinal deformity; 5) spinal trauma and 6) spinal tumours and infections. On-line subjects are: 7) sport and the spine; 8) occupational health and the spine and 9) medical conditions affecting the spine. Special topics of interest also include: isokinetics, spinal manipulations, core stability, stratified care and imaging modalities.