Program Overview

Introduction to Musculoskeletal Practice (Hand Therapy)

The Musculoskeletal Practice (Hand Therapy) program is designed for experienced hand therapists seeking to advance their practice, extend their clinical skills, and explore service delivery issues. This program enables clinicians to study flexibly, with the option to progress towards a qualification at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, or MSc level.

Accreditation

The British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) has developed an accreditation process for hand therapists' learning and experience, leading to the award of 'Accredited Hand Therapist.' Clinicians studying the postgraduate certificate are eligible for 12 BAHT points. Additionally, some component modules of the MSc and PG Diploma awards are also accredited by BAHT.

Learning Objectives

The program aims to:

• Provide a critical understanding of the key concepts underlying advanced musculoskeletal clinical skills in hand therapy beyond normal professional scope of practice
• Offer the opportunity to acquire advanced musculoskeletal clinical skills in hand therapy beyond normal professional scope of practice
• Encourage contribution to policy-making, planning, and evaluation
• Ensure acquisition of a range of transferable employment-related skills
• Provide skills to access and critically appraise research findings to develop evidence-based practice
• Enhance understanding of the essential principles of research design and conduct an extensive piece of independent research, including:
  • Planning
  • Formulating
  • Designing
  • Choosing research methods
  • Collecting data
  • Analysing
  • Interpreting
  • Writing up

Program Outcomes

Clinicians can study to achieve one of three qualifications, depending on the number of credits completed:

• Postgraduate certificate (60 credits)
• Postgraduate diploma (120 credits)
• Master of Science (MSc) (180 credits)