Physician Associate Studies MSc

Program Overview

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Through a blend of classroom learning, clinical placements, and innovative teaching methods, the program equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and professionalism necessary to excel in a wide range of healthcare settings. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to sit the National Examination for Physician Associates, qualifying them to become registered Physician Associates in the UK.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Become a Physician Associate:

The Physician Associate (PA) career path is highly attractive for anyone who wants a career in healthcare. Currently, employment opportunities for PAs far exceed the number of candidates available to fill them, giving PAs tremendous flexibility to live and work anywhere in the country. This program's objective is to prepare you to become a physician associate, a collaborative healthcare professional with a generalist medical education. This is achieved by blending:

• Classroom and online lectures
• Team-based learning
• A flipped classroom model
• All clinical skills will be delivered face-to-face at Lynton House, Ilford campus or the Robin Brook Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital

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Strong Foundation in Clinical Medicine and Introduction to Healthcare System:

The program is well-designed to provide you with the core foundation in the fundamental of clinical medicine and introduction to the healthcare system in the UK.

• It emphasizes medical practice through clinical placements.
• You will rotate between different clinical specialties and areas of practice, developing a varied ‘portfolio’ career.

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Emphasis on Skills Development:

This program focuses on developing and refining your skills in a variety of crucial areas:

• Communication and clinical skills
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Professionalism
This prepares you to become a well-rounded healthcare professional, ready to contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team. You will gain experience with the following:
• GP practice
• Hospital care
• Community settings

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

The Physician Associate Studies MSc is a full-time, 24-month program divided into two 12-month stages:

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Stage 1:

• Focuses on theoretical knowledge, providing a solid foundation in clinical medicine.
• Includes modules on the following topics:
• Applied Medical Sciences
• Clinical Medicine: Physical & Mental Health
• Community Medicine I

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Stage 2:

• Emphasizes practical experience and clinical skills development.
• Comprises these modules:
• Clinical Medicine & Surgery
• Care of Women and Children
• Community Medicine II
• Professional Practice and Development
• Health Management and Improvement
• Applied Professional Practice in Health and Care
• Applied Medical Science
• Healthcare Professionalism and Reflection
• Public Health
• Primary and Urgent Care
• General Medical Care A
• General Medical Care B
• Specialist/Non-Medical Care

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Course Schedule:

The program follows a structured schedule:

• Lectures and seminars occur throughout the week.

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Clinical Medicine & Surgery:

This module deepens your knowledge and practical skills in diagnosing and managing a wide range of surgical and medical conditions, empowering you to confidently contribute to patient care within different clinical settings.

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Care of Women and Children:

This module offers specialized training in the unique healthcare needs of women and children across their lifespans, covering essential aspects of reproductive health, pediatrics, and child development.

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Community Medicine II:

This module expands upon your knowledge of public health and health promotion strategies, focusing on evidence-based interventions and policies to address population-level health issues effectively.

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Professional Practice and Development:

This module equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as a professional physician associate. It covers ethical considerations, leadership principles, communication strategies, and reflective practice, helping you navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and function effectively within your role.

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Health Management and Improvement:

This module delves into the fundamentals of healthcare management and service improvement, providing you with a critical understanding of healthcare systems, resource allocation, and strategies to enhance quality of care and patient experience.

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Applied Professional Practice in Health and Care:

This module allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge and practical skills in simulated healthcare environments, further honing your clinical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative patient management skills.

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Applied Medical Science:

This module delves deeper into the application of medical science principles in clinical practice, providing a comprehensive understanding of how scientific discoveries and technological advancements translate to improved patient care and health outcomes.

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Healthcare Professionalism and Reflection:

This module focuses on developing and nurturing your professionalism as a healthcare practitioner. It emphasizes ethical conduct, reflective practice, and the importance of continuous learning and development in maintaining high standards of patient care and professional integrity. It covers essential topics such as epidemiology, health promotion, and disease prevention, equipping you to contribute effectively to population health improvement initiatives.

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Primary and Urgent Care:

This module focuses on managing common and urgent health conditions encountered in primary and urgent care settings. It equips you with the skills and knowledge to assess patients, formulate diagnoses, and implement appropriate management plans, including when to refer to specialist services.

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General Medical Care A:

This module delves into the diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions across various organ systems. It emphasizes evidence-based practice, differential diagnosis, and appropriate treatment plans, preparing you for effective patient care in diverse clinical settings.

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General Medical Care B:

This module builds upon the foundation laid in General Medical Care A, further refining your skills in managing complex medical presentations and developing a deeper understanding of relevant specializations within internal medicine.

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Specialist/Non-Medical Care:

This module explores the scope and practice of various specialist areas of healthcare. It provides exposure to a wide range of clinical disciplines and non-medical aspects of patient care, broadening your knowledge base and allowing you to tailor your future career path within the healthcare sector.

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Other modules:

• Applied Professional Practice in Health and Care offers an opportunity for students to practice and refine their clinical skills in simulated environments.
• Professional Practice and Development focuses on the non-clinical skills and knowledge needed for success as a healthcare professional, such as communication, teamwork, and ethical practice.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• The program utilizes a combination of assessment methods to evaluate your knowledge, skills, and professional development:
• Group work
• Oral presentation
• Coursework
• Clinical log books
• Objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs)
• Written exams

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Assessment Criteria:

• Assessments are designed to assess your ability to:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the course material
• Apply knowledge to real-world clinical scenarios
• Communicate effectively with patients, peers, and other healthcare professionals
• Work effectively as part of a team
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior

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Teaching:

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Teaching methods:

• This program adopts a blended learning approach, incorporating:
• Classroom and online lectures
• Team-based learning
• Problem-based learning
• Flipped classroom model

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Faculty:

• Renowned faculty members lead the program, who are experts in their respective fields and passionate about teaching.
These individuals bring their wealth of knowledge, practical experience, and research expertise to the classroom, creating an engaging learning environment.

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Unique approaches:

• This program features unique teaching methods to enhance your learning experience:
• Clinical placements in diverse settings, providing hands-on experience and exposure to a wide range of healthcare settings and patient populations.
• Utilizing simulated healthcare environments, providing a safe space to practice clinical skills and decision-making before stepping into the real world.
• Team-based learning and collaboration, allowing students to learn from one another, develop communication skills, and enhance their understanding of different perspectives and approaches.

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Facilities:

• State-of-the-art facilities include:
• Apocrita – Queen Mary’s high performance computing cluster
• Brand new Graduate Centre, offering purpose-built study spaces and an exclusive rooftop common room
• Think Pod - an interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities
• Access to some of London’s outstanding facilities including the British Library, Senate House Library and Copac
• Clinical placements take place throughout north east London at a number of leading GP practices and NHS Trusts, including:
• Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust
• Barts Health NHS Trust
• East London Foundation Trust
• Homerton University Hospital Foundation NHS Trust
• North East London NHS Foundation Trust

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Physician Associates are in high demand across various healthcare settings.
This program prepares you for diverse career options:
• General Practice and Urgent Care
• Mental health
• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Emergency medicine
• Intensive care
• Women’s health
• Paediatrics
• Surgery
• And more!

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Opportunities and Outcomes:

• This program opens doors to numerous exciting opportunities:
• Work in diverse healthcare settings, such as primary care, hospitals, and specialist clinics.
• Contribute to improving patient outcomes and well-being.
• Collaborate with a wide range of healthcare professionals, shaping a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
• Engage in continuous professional development, specializing in areas of interest and pursuing leadership roles within healthcare.

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Home: £12,250 The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years.