CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA/MSc in MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY

Introduction

The department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology in Cardiff University has a major clinical, teaching and research role, with particular expertise in clinical and medical toxicology.  The department directs the National Poisons Information Service (Cardiff) which advises health professionals throughout the United Kingdom and (with colleagues in the Welsh Medicines Information Centre) Yellow Card Centre (YCC) Wales, a Regional Monitoring Centre working with the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  General (Internal) Medicine is an integral part of the department's medical role and the department also provides specialist services for patients with toxicological problems, including suspected drug allergies.

Why study the Certificate and Diploma in Medical Toxicology?

These courses are designed specifically for those who wish to gain expertise in the practical management of toxicological problems. 

Course Philosophy and Structure

These courses take advantage of home and practice-based learning techniques.  Delivery is via the Internet through the electronic medium of Blackboard.

During the three academic term course, a detailed structured programme of learning is provided with the course divided into six main (5-week) modules.  Most of the educational content is problem-orientated and is specifically designed to be of direct practical relevance. There are several different integrated components to the course structure.  There is weekly reading with copies of or links to key articles and there are interviews with experts.   There are regular clinical exercises to be completed which provide the basis of in-course assessment.  These are reviewed by the course supervisors, and 'feed-back' is given during the course.

Assessment is partly by continual assessment of regular written work and partly by the final examination, which is held in Cardiff. There is a direct telephone number for use by candidates taking the course to ensure good communication with the department.

Each week

• A different aspect of medical toxicology is studied
• "Study Aims" to guide your work for the week are given
• Relevant articles are provided or linked
• An interview is supplied covering the week's topic
• There is a case study and written task concerning the topic being studied

There is an optional update course during the first module organised by the National Poisons Information Service (Cardiff Centre).  This provides a forum for discussion, tutorials, case presentations and lectures and the cost of this course (excluding travel) is included in the course fee.

The MSc is available to a selected number of candidates who obtain acceptable marks on the Diploma and submit an MSc project which accords with the skills and expertise within the Department.  All candidates must undertake the Diploma in the first year.  In the second year MSc candidates complete four 2,500-word assignments. MSc candidates also have to complete a 15,000-word dissertation.

Module Information

Each week a different subject is studied.  Within the six main modules of the Diploma there are thirty topics.

MODULE 1
DRUG SAFETY AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE

Drug Development and Drug Safety
Adverse Drug Reactions
Drug Interactions
Pharmacogenetics
Topical, Herbal, Homeopathic and OTC Medication

MODULE 2
MECHANISMS OF TOXICITY

Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics
Mechanisms of Toxicity
Carcinogenesis
Reproductive Toxicology
Risk Assessment and Risk Management

MODULE 3
MAJOR TOXINS

Analgesics
Antidepressants
Pschoactive Drugs
Drugs affecting the autonomic system
Animal and Plant Toxins

MODULE 4
MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF TOXICITY

Diagnosis of Poisoning
Management of Poisoning (1)
Management of Poisoning (2)
Antidotes
Prevention of Poisoning

MODULE 5
POISONING AND TOXICOVIGILANCE

Regulatory Toxicology
Classification and Epidemiology of Poisoning
Industrial Toxicology (1)
Industrial Toxicology (2)
Forensic Toxicology

MODULE 6
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Risks in the Environment (1)
Risks in the Environment (2)
Pesticides
How to Manage a Chemical Incident
Analytical Toxicology

Certificate

The Certificate consists of 5 main modules, each containing 3 topics, mainly drawn from the above.  Thus 15 topics are studied.  It is possible to convert the Certificate to a Diploma by studying the remaining 15 topics in the second year.

Entry Requirements

The courses are open to the following health care professionals:

• Medical personnel: particularly clinical pharmacologists in training, specialist registrars in Accident and Emergency Medicine and other disciplines and those seeking a career in , or who are already members of, the pharmaceutical industry or government regulatory bodies.

• Other health professionals, including hospital and community pharmacists and those with a degree in a subject within Life Sciences. Other individuals seeking a career in the governmental regulatory bodies or the pharmaceutical or chemical industry should also find the course valuable.

• Non-medical scientists, particularly those working in, or considering applying to, the UK and Irish Poisons Information Services.

 

Further Information

The Certificate and Diploma in Medical Toxicology is only awarded to candidates who have demonstrated regular detailed study throughout the course and who reach a high standard of knowledge, understanding, and practical and clinical expertise.  A commitment to regular daily study at home is required.  An estimated 8 hours of study weekly during each module is considered to be the minimum necessary.

One External Examiner has commented “The structure and content are of a high standard.  Structure – well organised and laid out.  Content – wide-ranging, to enable laboratory based and clinically based students to benefit.  There are few other courses for comparison; the present course could be said to be unique and the number of overseas applicants is testimony to this”.

Tuition Fees: (2011 - 2012)

Certtificate :	£1,800
Diploma :	£2,750
MSc :	£2,750

Next intake: September 2011

 

For further information, please contact:

Miss Emma Scott
Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology
Wales College of Medicine
Heath Park
CARDIFF, CF14 4XN           

Tel or Fax:   029 20746698
E-mail: scotte@cf.ac.uk