PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TRAVEL MEDICINE GENERAL PRACTICE

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1 POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TRAVEL MEDICINE GENERAL PRACTICE PROSPECTUS 2013

2 1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to interdisciplinary postgraduate education for primary health care professionals. Whatever field of primary health or integrated care you work in, these qualifications and courses will be directly relevant to your day-to-day work, as well as providing useful frameworks for systems of health care delivery. All the courses are designed to meet educational and training needs for a wide range of individuals working in the sector, actively promoting a collegial and cooperative atmosphere for the sharing of ideas and information. Papers combine to make up qualifications in: ~ Primary Health Care ~ Long-term Condition Management ~ Travel Medicine ~ General Practice PLANNING FOR YOUR QUALIFICATION Our Diploma (and PHC certificate) qualifications allow for the inclusion of option paper(s). We have developed a study planner to help you plan a timetable for your option papers (some of which are offered every second year). This is available at For Students tab at If your study plans include, or might include, continuing to a Masters Degree, it is worthwhile considering now, how your Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters will all fit together. In particular, the entry requirements for a Master degree may influence your choice of papers for the earlier qualifications. BOARD OF STUDIES FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE Qualifications in Primary Health Care, Primary Health Care endorsed in Long-term Conditions Management, Travel Medicine, General Practice and Rural Health are administered by the Board of Studies for Primary Health Care. The Board meets quarterly to conduct business pertaining to Qualifications offered by the Departments that fall within the Board s purview. The Board has members from nursing, medical and pharmacy disciplines, and the facility to consult with a wide ranging external reference group. Course coordinators in each of the centres liaise with the Board.

3 II POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS CORE REGULATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA LEVEL STUDY. ELIGIBILITY The course is open to those with a wide variety of backgrounds and qualifications. Admission is generally based on a students submission of their Annual Practicing Certificate in a health care profession. However, exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Admission to the course shall be subject to the approval of the Pro Vice- Chancellor (Health Sciences) who must be satisfied that previous training and experience fit the candidate to undertake the course. DURATION OF STUDY FOR A CERTIFICATE The course is the equivalent of six months full time study or the equivalent part time study. The course must be completed within three years. DURATION OF STUDY FOR A DIPLOMA The course is designed for full-time working healthcare professionals completing the diploma on a part-time basis. The diploma can be completed full time in one academic year, although not all papers are offered every year. The course must be completed within five years. PRIMARY HEALTH CARE QUALIFICATIONS These are interdisciplinary postgraduate qualifications for primary health and integrated care professionals and administrators working in the sector. They are integrated but flexible, distance taught educational programmes. Primary Health Care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally acceptable to individuals and families in the community, and is about promoting health and maintaining wellness, as well as improving early disease detection with early action and treatment. It is the first level of contact with individuals, the family and the community with the national health system, bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process. (WHO, 1978 the Alma Ata declaration). POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care provides a basic interdisciplinary course for students who study a wide range of topics relevant to primary health care. It provides a formal nationally recognised qualification for primary health care workers. Graduates of the certificate will have undertaken an approved course that is specifically focused towards primary health care. As the students come from differing backgrounds (medical, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, management) these skills may be oriented towards management, clinical practice, basic primary care research or a combination of these. As a consequence of the interdisciplinary nature of the course, graduates will gain an appreciation of team dynamics in the primary health care setting. The team approach, now so essential to professional practitioners in primary health care, will be fostered and confirmed. The graduate will have an understanding of the nature and practice of primary health care, and experience in working with a variety of health professionals involved in primary health care. CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The course of study comprises of papers to the value of 60 points. One compulsory paper, PRHX701 (30 points), and the remaining points of further approved paper(s).

4 POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care programme provides for the education and training of primary health care workers in order that these professionals acquire a deeper understanding of the structure, process and context of primary health care in New Zealand. Candidates will acquire skills to anticipate, plan for, and evaluate future changes to the delivery of primary health care and understand the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. It provides a formal nationally recogniszed qualification for primary health care workers. Students are advised to seek advice on course structure at an early stage. Graduates of the diploma will have undertaken an approved course which is specifically focused towards primary health care, and will have acquired specific skills to enable them to deliver and if appropriate, practice safe, effective, and culturally sensitive care in that discipline. He or she will have a sound understanding of the nature and practice of primary health care, advanced clinical training in personally selected areas of practice, and experience in working with a variety of health professionals involved in primary health care. As the students will come from differing backgrounds (e.g. medical, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, management) these skills may be oriented towards management, clinical practice, basic primary health care research or a combination of these. Content and Structure The course of study comprises papers to the value of 120 points. One compulsory paper, PRHX701 (30 points), and the remaining points of further approved paper(s). LONG-TERM CONDITION MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS These qualifications are nationally recognised interdisciplinary qualifications for health professionals who practice in the field of long-term condition management, especially within the context of primary care. The increase in chronic disease in the community demands an increasing emphasis on continuity of care and integrated care to meet the individual s needs in the context of their family and community. There is a need to explore new approaches to clinical care as the focus of clinical practice changes from acute to chronic care with the care of people with chronic diseases now occupying around 60% of health professionals time. POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (ENDORSED LONG- TERM CONDITION MANAGEMENT) This Postgraduate Certificate provides a basic interdisciplinary course for students who complete two core papers in Long-term Condition Management (GENX709 and GENX711). It provides a formal nationally recognised qualification for health care professionals. Graduates of the certificate will have undertaken an approved course that is specifically focused towards longterm condition management. As the students come from differing backgrounds (medical, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, health management and other professionals) these skills may be oriented towards management, clinical practice, research or a combination of these. Although acknowledging the majority of Long-term Condition Management occurs in primary care, health professionals from secondary and tertiary care settings will benefit as the approach to Long-term Condition Management is through integrated care pathways. As a consequence of the interdisciplinary nature of the course, graduates will gain an appreciation of team dynamics in the health care setting. The team approach is integral to the effective delivery of long term condition care, and is continually fostered and confirmed for professional practitioners. The graduate will have an understanding of the nature and practice of long-term condition management, and gain insight into working with a variety of health professionals. CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The course of study comprises papers to the value of 60 points. Both papers (GENX709 and GENX711) are compulsory for completion of the Postgraduate Certificate (endorsed Long-term Condition Management) in Primary Health Care.

5 POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (ENDORSED LONG-TERM CONDITION MANAGEMENT) This endorsed Postgraduate Diploma provides an appropriate interdisciplinary course for students who carry on from the two core papers in Long-term Condition Management. The qualification has a strong emphasis on safe, effective, culturally sensitive care that is coordinated in the community, hospital or residential settings. Because those with long-term conditions require integrated care the qualification is appropriate for those working in primary, secondary and tertiary care. Students will extend and deepen knowledge about the principles of effective long-term condition management, skills to implement efficient systems of care that are acceptable to patients and their families, and will improve inter-disciplinary collaboration, not only between different health professional groups in primary care but also with those in secondary care services. It provides a formal nationally recognised qualification for health care workers. Students are encouraged to seek advice on course structure at an early stage. Graduates of the Diploma (endorsed Long-term condition management) will have broadened and deepened their understanding of the context of long-term condition management (including prevention) within a primary care led health system, have extended specific skills in managing population health care for those with chronic conditions, have enhanced knowledge and skills for patient self-management, have acquired an appreciation of the role of research, and have developed further advanced skills in a specific area of long-term conditions management. CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The course of study comprises papers to the value of 120 points. Three papers (GENX709, GENX711 and PRHX701) are compulsory for completion of the Postgraduate Diploma (endorsed Long-term condition management) in Primary Health Care. The remaining optional paper should be one of the following: GENX704, GENX710, HASX417, REHX713, or REHX714. Other papers taught from the department, or other departments in the school or the university may also be suitable, subject to individual approval. TRAVEL MEDICINE QUALIFICATIONS These are nationally recognised interdisciplinary qualifications for health professionals who practise in the field of travel medicine. Because of the increasing complexity of international travel there is a requirement for health practitioners to obtain special skills in this area. Graduates will gain an appreciation of the different facets of travel medicine and will learn specific and individual skills with respect to their individual disciplines. POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN TRAVEL MEDICINE Graduates of the Post Graduate Certificate in Travel Medicine should be competent in: 1. Understanding the scope of Travel Medicine and models of service delivery for Travel Medicine 2. Identifying key resources to ensure they remain up to date on key Travel Medicine issues including international management guidelines and disease epidemiology 3. Making an appropriate risk assessment of travel related risks for the individual traveller and being able to advise on preventive strategies including for water and food borne illness, vector borne illness, sexually transmitted infections, travel dermatology and tuberculosis 4. Knowledge about the prescribing of travel vaccines. This includes understanding of the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, the immunology of vaccines, the indications and contraindication for specific vaccines and best practice and evidence based prescribing. 5. The key physiological risks associated with flying. 6. Assessing and treating the returning traveller. 7. Evaluation of research and the ability to use evidence based practice. CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The course of study comprises papers to the value of 60 points. Both papers (GENX713 and GENX714) are compulsory for completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Travel Medicine.

6 POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN TRAVEL MEDICINE Graduates of the Post Graduate Diploma in Travel Medicine should be competent in: 1. Understanding the scope of Travel Medicine and models of service delivery for Travel Medicine 2. Identifying key resources to ensure they remain up to date on key Travel Medicine issues including international management guidelines and disease epidemiology 3. Making an appropriate risk assessment of travel related risks for the individual traveller and being able to advise on preventive strategies including for water and food borne illness, vector borne illness, sexually transmitted infections, travel dermatology and tuberculosis 4. Knowledge about the prescribing of travel vaccines. This includes understanding of the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, the immunology of vaccines, the indications and contraindication for specific vaccines and best practice evidence based prescribing 5. The key physiological risks associated with flying 6. Understanding the epidemiology and worldwide burden of the more common tropical infectious diseases 7. Being able to diagnose and manage common tropical infectious diseases 8. Being able to appropriately advise and manage specific groups of travellers with special needs, including those returning to visit family and friends, the recent immigrant, refugees, the long-term expatriate, humanitarian/aid workers and those travelling to remote environments on expedition. 9. Understanding the issues of medical resource management in a resource poor and/or remote location. 10. Assessing and treating the returning traveller and recent migrant. 11. Evaluation of research and the ability to use evidence based practice. Content and Structure The course of study comprises papers to the value of 120 points, three of which GENX713 Travel Medicine 1 (30 points), GENX714 Travel Medicine 2 (30 points), and GENX719 Tropical Infectious Disease (30 points) are compulsory. The remaining paper should be selected from the following: PRHX702, GENX720, or HASX417. Papers from Primary Health Care, Public Health and Aviation Medicine schedules may also be suitable, subject to individual approval.

7 III POSTGRADUATE DEGREES: MASTER AND PhD COURSE PLANNING AND ADVICE The pathways to achieving one of the Master qualifications offered through the Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice are similar. The first step is completing papers, which usually satisfy the requirements for a diploma, to the value of 120 points. Ordinarily, a PGDipPHC leads on to a MPHC, a PGDipTravMed to a MTravMed, a PGDipGP to a MGP, and a PGDipHealSc to a MHealSc. However, these pathways are flexible and so you should seek advice if you want to look at switching from one pathway to another. Each specific Master qualification has its own prerequisite(s), which are usually the same as the core paper(s) for the diploma on the same pathway. However, in addition, there are two general entry requirements which apply to all Master degrees. They are: 1. Passing the diploma (or equivalent papers) with at least a B average 2. Passing HASX417 or other approved 30 point research methods paper with at least a B+ grade You are encouraged to approach the Department informally for general advice on the requirements of the various degrees and to explore possible research topics and potential supervisors. Our staff members are able to give you personal assistance with your plans and to help you through the subsequent formalities. Find contact details at the end of the prospectus. ONLINE HANDBOOKS For full details about research Master and PhD courses you are advised to consult: Master Handbook: Handbook for PhD Study: CORE REGULATIONS FOR MASTERS AND PHD STUDY. There are two separate elements to the formal process of entering a Master or Doctoral course. ADMISSION Admission is the mechanism by which the Division or Faculty, in the case of Master degrees, or the Graduate Research Committee, in the case of PhDs, reviews a student s application and formally accepts the student as a candidate for the degree. It is completed only once, prior to the student s initial enrolment as a Master or doctoral student. The admitting bodies each have their own application form, which you complete as part of this process. To obtain admission you will normally need to have completed the prerequisites and general entry requirements. Final admission to the degree is subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences). Approval must first be granted by the University of Otago Primary Health Care & General Practice Board of Studies following submission of an acceptable research proposal that aligns with the focus of the Department's research, and subject to the availability of an appropriate supervisory team. ENROLMENT Enrolment follows admission to a degree programme and is a separate procedure, and has to be completed for each year of study. Enrolment may be on a full time or part time basis. Payment of the prescribed fees is part of the enrolment process, for which there is a separate enrolment form. Each degree stipulates a maximum period of enrolment and in some cases a minimum enrolment period too.

8 THE QUALIFICATIONS MASTER OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE The Master of Primary Health Care (MPHC) provides an appropriate advanced interdisciplinary qualification for students who have completed a Diploma in Primary Health Care, which includes an approved research methods paper(s). Graduates will have an advanced understanding of the nature and practice of primary health care, advanced clinical training in personally selected areas of practice, and experience in working with other health professionals involved in primary health care. In addition, the graduate will have the ability and skills to independently set up and carry out relevant research within the primary health care field, and to be able to contribute significantly to new developments in health care delivery. Graduates will provide an educated resource for future primary health planning and education. For further information on the admission criteria, structure, and duration of the degree please refer to the University website ( MASTER OF TRAVEL MEDICINE The Master of Travel Medicine degree (MTravMed) allows study at a postgraduate level within the discipline of Travel Medicine, and provides research experience in the student s area of specialisation. It is for students who have completed a Diploma in Travel Medicine. Graduates will have a thorough and rigorous understanding of the discipline of Travel Medicine, including tropical and migrant medicine, a broad knowledge of health care systems and the place of Travel Medicine within those systems, particularly in relation to effective delivery in primary health care settings. They will have an ability to contribute significantly to new interdisciplinary developments in health care delivery, and to an increasing international body of knowledge in Travel Medicine. They will have an understanding of the principles of evidencebased practice, and an understanding of research methodology appropriate to the discipline, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. For further information on the admission criteria, structure, and duration of the degree please refer to the University website ( MASTER OF GENERAL PRACTICE The Master of General Practice degree (MGP) has been offered by the University of Otago since This qualification is on offer for students who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice, which includes an approved research methods paper(s). It was developed to meet the educational needs of general practitioners who, having completed their vocational training or accreditation, are looking for further postgraduate education. This further education is often sought by general practitioners who have been in practice for some time and who are already successfully fulfilling their ongoing clinical education needs, but the course also attracts general practitioners at other stages in their professional careers. General practitioners find that questions arise about the place of general practice within the health system and about their role as a general practitioner in relation to their patients and their community. They may be asked to take on an active teaching role with undergraduate students or GP registrars or to provide leadership in professional organisations. They may have a developing interest in reviewing the medical literature, evidencebased medicine or research. Rural GPs in particular often face issues of professional isolation. For further information on the admission criteria, structure, and duration of the degree please refer to the University website (

9 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY The PhD degree is the highest degree awarded by the University of Otago for research supervised by members of the academic staff and is acquired solely by submission of a thesis. There is no course work, although candidates may be required to take certain papers if needed to acquire knowledge or expertise to complete the research satisfactorily. A successful PhD thesis will demonstrate the candidate s ability to conduct original research and to present the findings of that research to a professional standard. The thesis should give evidence that the candidate has made a significant contribution to knowledge in the particular field. By the time the degree is awarded the doctoral graduate should be capable of conceiving, designing and carrying out high quality research in the area of their expertise without supervision. For further information please refer to the University website : WELLINGTON GENERAL PRACTICE RESEARCH TRUST FEES SCHOLARSHIPS (WGPRT) The WGPRT Fees Scholarships have been established to support nurses and doctors currently practising in primary health care settings to undertake thesis research in primary health care. The purpose of the scholarships is to assist doctors and nurses to undertake a Master s or PhD thesis, of direct relevance to New Zealand primary health care, within the Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington. Applicants must be New Zealand registered nurses or doctors, currently clinically practising in primary health care settings within the Wellington Faculty (RNZCGP) geographical area, bordered by New Plymouth, Taihape, Wairoa, Nelson and Marlborough, who have been admitted or applied for admission to a Master s or PhD by thesis through Otago University. Up to four scholarships may be awarded each year. A successful Master applicant may apply for a second fees scholarship, or a successful PhD applicant may apply for a second or third scholarship, in a subsequent year to progress or complete the degree. The selection panel reserves the right to make full and final decisions. Applications are considered once each year. Closing dates for applications is 31 October. It may sometimes be possible to fund part of a year s thesis work. Contact the Masters & PhD Advisor or Postgraduate Coordinator for further information and/or an application form.

10 IV CONTACTS Kelli Fleming - Postgraduate Coordinator (Primary Health Care & Travel Medicine) Tel: primarycare.distance@otago.ac.nz Anita Fogarty Postgraduate Coordinator (General Practice) Tel: anita.fogarty@otago.ac.nz Eileen McKinlay - Director Postgraduate Programmes (Primary Health Care) Tel: eileen.mckinlay@otago.ac.nz Dr Jenny Visser Senior Convenor (Travel Medicine) Tel: jenny.visser@otago.ac.nz Caroline Morris - Masters and PhD advisor (Primary Health Care & Travel Medicine) Tel: caroline.morris@otago.ac.nz Sue Dovey - Masters and PhD advisor (General Practice) Tel: sue.dovey@otago.ac.nz