Program Overview

Musculoskeletal Management of Spinal Dysfunction

Overview

Gain the experience to optimise patient outcomes in Musculoskeletal Management of Spinal Dysfunction. On this short course, you'll develop advanced assessment and triage skills for the spinal regions.

Why Study with Us

• Learn from leading medical consultants, therapists, and academics. We work in conjunction with Blackpool Teaching Hospital Trust and East Lancashire Hospital Trust.
• On-campus block delivery to fit around your professional work commitments.
• This course supports NHS approaches such as Five Year Forward View and MSK strategies. Aiming to integrate and deliver new sustainable models of care which promote prevention, self-care, and wellbeing.

Course Details

• Level: Postgraduate, Level 7
• Delivery: On campus
• Study mode: Part-time 2 x 3-day teaching blocks
• Duration: Semester 1 October - December and Semester 3 June - August
• Module code: MB4519
• Campus: Preston
• Start date: October and June

Course Overview

On successful completion, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate and critically evaluate, accurate and effective clinical assessment and examination of patients with spinal disorders.
• Demonstrate and critically evaluate advanced clinical reasoning processes in the diagnosis, investigation and management of patients with spinal disorders.
• Critically discuss and evaluate a biopsychosocial approach to holistic assessment and treatment planning for individuals with spinal disorders.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise the contemporary evidence base to support and inform the management of spinal disorders.

Course Content

• Clinical and Diagnostic Skills including:
  • Effective communication and consultation strategies
  • Clinical history taking skills
  • Practical clinical assessment skills of lower limb regions
  • Normal neuromusculoskeletal anatomy of the lower limb
  • Pathophysiological changes and process in common lower limb pathologies
  • Clinical reasoning and diagnostics
  • MSK management and treatment planning
  • Surgical indication and management of lower limb disorders
  • Pharmacological / prescribing interventions in MSK management
  • Pre-, peri- and post-operative issues
  • Radiological imaging and interventions in lower limb pathology including indications for X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT.
• Biopsychosocial assessment and interventions including:
  • Motivation, psychological, and lifestyle change brief intervention training
  • Role of prevention and public health
  • Rehabilitation therapies in lower limb management and hand therapy
  • Holistic, patient-centred goal setting and outcome measures
  • Interdisciplinary management of musculoskeletal lower limb conditions
• Underpinning theory, practice and development of:
  • Critical literature searching, appraisal and evaluation skills
  • Reflective practice theories and application

Accreditations

• The centre is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons, a professional membership organisation and registered charity which exists to advance patient care.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should hold at least a 2:2 degree in a related subject
• Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery qualification or relevant professional qualification in a related field
• Applications from other related professions will be considered on an individual basis
• Be actively engaged in or have access to clinical experience in musculoskeletal practice in order to support learning within the programme
• IELTS: Score of at least 6.5 or equivalent

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26
  • UK: Part-time £1,110 per candidate

Additional Costs

• As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Learning and Assessment

• On-campus sessions will be a mix of keynote lectures, tutorials, peer group discussions and debates. Practical sessions will allow you to develop and consolidate practical skills.
• To aid your self-directed study we utilise online teaching resources. This is especially useful to provide engagement between campus sessions. Resources include Blackboard, facilitated discussion boards and posting of resources.
• You'll use supervised work-based learning to develop the practical application of skills. This will aline with your own professional development needs.
• Develop your communication skills through practical sessions, group debates, video and peer feedback.
• Assessment includes a practical demonstration with critical discussion. You'll need to demonstrate clinical reasoning of practical-based skills and knowledge. A presentation will be used to assess skills in locating, critiquing, evaluating, synthesising and applying the evidence base on this topic. As well as broader professional skills including presenting and IT skills.

Pathway Opportunities

• The module offers 20 credits towards the Musculoskeletal Management, MSc/PGDip/PGCert.

Enquiries and Applications

• For further information, contact Course Leader Adam Cook via email.
• Apply via our online application system.
• Please apply for the course named 'CPD Medical Workforce' and then state the short course title and module code in the personal statement section of the application.