DIPLOMA/MSc IN THERAPEUTICS

Introduction

The Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology in Cardiff has a major commitment to teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates. A major aim in our teaching programmes is to encourage critical thinking, as we hope to equip our students not only with practical and factual knowledge, but also to provide a basic approach to therapeutic problems, encouraging attitudes and abilities which we hope will be of lasting value in dealing with future advances in therapy.

The Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology is also recognised as a major research centre.  Hundreds of research articles have been published from the department as well as many books.  Members of the department regularly speak at scientific meetings in many parts of the world.  There is a large group of full-time pharmacology research workers in the department's research laboratories.  Advances in therapeutics have been pioneered in Cardiff, including methods for optimal use of anticoagulants, antiarrhythmic drugs and anticonvulsants.  Why study the Diploma in Therapeutics?

Why study the Diploma in Therapeutics?

The Diploma course is designed for medical practitioners, pharmacists, specialist nurses and other practitioners who wish to gain further expertise in the practical management of common therapeutic problems.

The major aims of the course are to equip the candidate with a sound understanding of the management of common medical conditions and to develop skills in evidence-based medicine. Successful candidates should have gained the knowledge and understanding to act as the "local therapeutics expert".

Course Philosophy and Structure

The diploma takes advantage of home and practice-based learning techniques.  The course is largely managed and delivered via the Internet through the electronic medium of Blackboard.

During this course, which takes place over an academic year (September to June), a detailed structured programme of learning is provided with the course divided into six (5-week) main modules.  Most of the education process is problem-orientated and is specifically designed to be of direct relevance to general practice.  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.  There is an email discussion forum and also a direct telephone number for use by candidates taking the course to ensure good communication with the department and between candidates.

Assessment is partly by continual assessment of regular written work and partly by the final examination which is held in Cardiff.

To summarise, each week

• A different aspect of therapeutics is studied
• "Study Aims" to guide your work for the week are given
• Relevant articles are provided or links provided for access via the Internet
• An audio interview is available to download covering the week's topic
• There is a written task concerning the topic being studied
• A short case-study on the topic is sent for the candidates’ comments. An analysis of the group's responses with comments on the results is returned to the candidates

A short intensive study weekend (Friday pm - Saturday pm) is held during the first module which all candidates are expected to attend.  The cost of this course (excluding travel) is included in the course fee.

MSc

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:

Study Unit 1
Information Technology
Principles of Therapeutics
Principles of Biostatistics and Evaluation
Drug Development and Clinical Trials
Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions

Study Unit 2
Prescribing at the Extremes of Life
Prescribing in Pregnancy and Lactation
Practice Prescribing Issues
Wound Healing
Management of Common Skin Disorders

Study Unit 3
The Eye
Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders
HRT, Oral Contraceptives and Vulval Disorders
Management of Asthma
Management of Respiratory Disorders

Study Unit 4
Management of Chronic Pain
Management of Common Bone Disorders
Management of Rheumatic Disorders and Gout
Management of Endocrinological Disorders
Management of Diabetes

Study Unit 5
Management of Hypertension
Management of Hyperlipidaemia
Management of Heart Failure
Management of Thrombotic Disorders
Management of Angina and MI

Study Unit 6
Psychotherapy - Depression
Psychotherapy - Other Disorders
Management of Epilepsy
Management of Common Neurological Disorders

An optional Module 3 (Global Therapeutics) for 2011/12 is under discussion which it is intended will include

Antihelminthic Therapy
Management of Tuberculosis and leprosy
HIV and antiviral therapy
Antimalarial therapy
Antiproozoal and antifungal therapy

The module not studied will be supplied for formative reading.

Entry Requirements

The course is open to health-care professionals who prescribe or use drug treatments in their work and who have usually had basic training in pharmacology at undergraduate level (e.g. medical practitioners, pharmacists, and nurses).
Applications are considered from professionals currently working in other countries, provided that the applicants are able to travel to the UK for the study weekend and the final examination.

Further Information

The Diploma in Therapeutics 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 of the external examiners has commented “This therapeutics course is one of the most comprehensive and challenging currently delivered by distance learning in the UK. The wide range of clinical scenarios and therapeutic reviews makes the information very relevant to the practicing clinician…Course aims and objectives are clearly stated and link with course materials, assessments and individual learning styles”.

Tuition Fees: (2011 - 2012)

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