MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) Course Brochure
Course highlights The MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection is aimed at health care professionals across the globe with an interest in infection prevention and infectious diseases. This course creates a pathway into clinical research for pharmacists, doctors, biomedical scientists, nurses and health care managers so that they can design and implement clinical research. This academically challenging approach to infection in a modern healthcare setting will use topical international empirical case studies to help you put your new knowledge into practice. You will be studying part-time alongside and networking with diverse colleagues who may include: Pharmacists Doctors Biomedical Scientists Senior Nurses Healthcare Managers Each module includes one intensive teaching week at Imperial College London, complemented by supported, selfdirected online learning. MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 1
These programmes will equip you with the technical knowledge, expertise and skills in infection to reduce healthcare associated infections, tackle antimicrobial resistance and improve health outcomes, whilst giving you an insight into infectious diseases, healthcare management, policy and industry amongst other topics. This course is available at three different levels Master s, Postgraduate Diploma and a Postgraduate Certificate. As a Master s student you will complete a dissertation which will consolidate the research skills that you have learnt throughout the course. You will be supported by the Course Tutors, who have a wealth of experience in research. Throughout our series of interactive, seminar-style lectures you will have access to expert clinical and non-clinical lecturers from Imperial College London, Public Health England, Imperial College Business School and industry. MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 2
Key Lecturers and Course Committee Members Professor Jon Friedland is Course Director and is also Co-director of the Centre for Infection Prevention and Management, directing a workstream which aims to provide multi-disciplinary education to the clinical workforce. Professor Alison Holmes is Co-director of the Centre for Infection Prevention and Management. Alison is Professor of Infectious Diseases, Director of Infection Prevention and Control and ID Consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Professor Ann Jacklin is involved with research on evaluating systems to monitor antibiotic resistance and prescribing practice which will facilitate the investigation of antibiotic strategies across primary and acute care. Ann was Chief Pharmacist at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust..for 13 years. Professor Bryony Dean Franklin is Director of f the Centre for Medicines Safety and Service Quality, a joint initiative between the School of Pharmacy and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Bryony is a clinical pharmacist by background. Dr Sally Curtis is Consultant Microbiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, specialising in chemical pathology. MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 3
What do our alumni say? Just over two years ago I embarked on the MSc Infection Management for Pharmacists at Imperial College London. I was aware of the general outline of the course, but had not considered in detail how fortunate we would be to receive lectures from such enthusiastic, expert professionals in their fields. [ ] The course facilitated the development of my own personal knowledge and skills to support and improve antibiotic stewardship at my local hospital. The research project which I undertook in the second year allowed me to develop in depth skills and experience in population pharmacokinetic modeling which has resulted in a change in gentamicin dosing in the burns unit at my local hospital. Since finishing the MSc I have moved trusts, and my role now involves working in the Emergency Department. I feel confident to drive forward the antibiotic stewardship agenda within the department and the MSc has given me the skills to do this. Katie Hatton, Pharmacist, graduated in 2012 MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 4
Module 1 Introduction to Infection in Modern Society The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in the basics of microbiology, infection and diagnosis. This will include an introduction to the use of the microbiology laboratory; an understanding of the basic drug-classes of antiinfectives; an introduction to the topic of Infectious Diseases; an understanding of pathogens and resulting infections, the immune system. Module 2 Internationally Important Major Clinical Syndromes This module aims to give students an overview of the major infectious diseases which are seen in healthcare systems, both in the UK and worldwide. Students will cover a range of diseases and pathogens, discuss clinical presentation and gain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the management of these important infections. Module 3 Keeping Infection at Bay: Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Students who complete this module will gain an overview of the major Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI), the methods involved in the prevention of these HCAI and the surveillance of HCAI at a national level. Students will also gain a thorough understanding of the mechanisms, surveillance and epidemiology of resistance, and factors which contribute to its emergence. Towards the end of this module students will learn about the key elements of antimicrobial stewardship and patient safety. MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 5
Module 4 Research Design and Epidemiology The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in epidemiology, study designs, applied statistical methods and data presentation. This will provide students with the necessary skills to complete a research project. Module 5 Organisational Healthcare Management This module aims to provide students with an intensive master class in the important concepts of leadership and management within the context of the healthcare environment which are critical in making the difference between knowing theory and making the links to practice. Module 6 Strategy, Policy and Industry The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of the role that industry, national and global policies plays in resistance and the development of new antimicrobials. It also aims to develop an understanding of the government, legal and strategic policies affecting prescribing practice and resistance and the main players in this, both in the UK and worldwide. Finally a vision of global health and potential developments and changes that will affect practice over the next decade will be provided. MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 6
Short Courses Each of the six modules mentioned in this brochure can be attended as stand-alone modules. These modules are booked through the School of Continuing Professional Development. There are two available options for each module: 1) Attendance only - You can attend the teaching week and will be given access to the lecture recordings, slides and relevant references and all online material. If you complete this option you will be awarded an Imperial College London Certificate of Attendance. 2) Attendance and assessment You can attend the teaching week and have full access to the online material. In addition to this you will complete the relevant coursework and sit the examination. If you complete this option you will be awarded 10 ECTS which are credits that can be transferred to another institution towards future postgraduate education. For more details please visit: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/cpd/courses/subject/medical/m scinfection MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 7
Fees & Funding A number of our students have been awarded funding for this course, so you may wish to apply for a scholarship or funding from a number of different organisations. Here are a few possibilities: Burdett Trust for Nursing http://www.btfn.org.uk/ Commonwealth Scholarships http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/ Erasmus+ http://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/ Florence Nightingale Foundation www.florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk The Grundy Educational Trust http://www.grundyeducationaltrust.org.uk/ Imperial College London Master s Degree Scholarships www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/teaching/mastersdegr eescholarships/ Imperial College London Master s Support Scheme http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/studentfinance/prospect ivepgstudents/mastersscholarships/icmss For more options please visit Imperial s funding page: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/studentfinance/prospectivepgst udents/mastersscholarships MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 8
Entry Requirements Applications will be welcomed from those holding a good bachelor s degree (normally an upper second class degree or above) in pharmacy, nursing, another health profession, or an equivalent degree from a UK/EU university. Any applicants who do not meet the College's entry requirements will be subject to a special qualifying examination (administered by the Division) including an interview to assess academic potential for completing the course. For further details on these part-time courses please contact us: Tel: +44 (0)20 3313 2730 Email: id@imperial.ac.uk www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/infection MSc/PGD/PGC in Infection (part-time) 9