Physician Associate Studies MSc

Program Overview

The Physician Associate Studies MSc program at De Montfort University prepares students to support doctors in diagnosing and managing patients in various healthcare settings. Through a combination of academic studies and clinical placements, the program equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes necessary to practice as Physician Associates. The program emphasizes developing clinical skills, critical thinking, and research abilities, preparing graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in healthcare.

Program Outline

Physician Associate Studies MSc

• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to practice as a physician associate.
It will enable students to develop transferable skills valuable across various healthcare and industry sectors.
• Program Description: The program combines academic studies with clinical placements, reinforcing learning through self-directed study.
Students develop the ability to work within multi-professional teams and gain insights from experienced clinical colleagues.
• Key Features:
• Designed and delivered by academic staff and healthcare professionals with expertise in the field.
• Mandatory placements across general practice, community, and acute hospital settings
• Purpose-built clinical skills facilities enable applying theory to practice in a safe environment.
• Develop critical thinking skills and ability to design, execute, and present research findings.
• Covers various modules including Anatomy and Physiology, Community Health, General and Specialty Medicine.
• High demand for physician associates in the East Midlands NHS workforce.

Outline:

• Content: The program covers human anatomy and physiology, clinical medicine, community health, and research skills.
• Structure: The program consists of coursework and clinical placements.
• Coursework: The program comprises the following modules:
• Anatomy & Physiology (15 credits):
Provides a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology through lectures, workshops, and hands-on sessions.
• Community Health (15 credits): Offers an in-depth view of community health, focusing on populations and communities.
Discusses primary care, mental health, public health, and the impact of health issues on local and national services.
• Clinical & Professional Skills (30 credits): Develops essential clinical and professional skills for physician associates.
Covers research methods, clinical skills, history taking, physical examination, ethics, communication skills, and professional guidelines and regulations.
• General Medicine (30 credits): Provides a systemic approach to learning about organ systems and clinical pharmacology.
Covers diseases and health conditions associated with various organ systems and their treatment. Also discusses the role of physician associates in therapeutics and prescribing.
• Specialist Medicine (30 credits): Equips students with sound knowledge of different clinical specialties.
Covers Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Haematology, Neurology, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• Practice-Related Project (60 credits): Involves individual (supervised) research on a clinical practice-related topic.
Develops the ability to relate research concepts to clinical settings.
• Clinical Placements: The program incorporates extensive clinical placements in various settings, including general practice, community, and acute hospitals.
These placements provide real-world experience and practical application of learned knowledge.
• Individual Modules:
• Anatomy & Physiology (15 credits):
This module provides a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Clinical anatomy is taught using a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops using 3D anatomical models. The knowledge gained on anatomical structure will be complemented with functional knowledge through teaching on medical physiology topics.
• Community Health (15 credits): This module provides an in-depth view of community health, with a focus on populations and communities rather than individual patients.
Content includes primary care, mental health and public health, with discussion on the impact of significant health issues upon local and national health services.
• Clinical & Professional Skills (30 credits): In this module, you will develop key clinical and professional skills related to working as a Physician Associate.
For example; research methods, clinical skills, history taking, physical examination, ethics, communication skills, professional guidelines and regulation, evidence-based medicine, inter-professional education.
• General Medicine (30 credits): This module provides a systemic approach to learning about organ systems and clinical pharmacology.
Content will include diseases and health conditions associated with major organ systems (e.g. muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, urinary, and digestive), and how they are treated. The role of the Physician Associate in therapeutics and prescribing will also be discussed.
• Specialist Medicine (30 credits): This module will equip you with a sound knowledge of different areas in the clinical setting, and the role of such specialisms in primary and secondary care.
Content includes: Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT (ears, nose and throat), Haematology, Neurology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• Practice-Related Project (60 credits): This module involves completion of an independent (but supervised) evidence-based, practice-related project.
The project will develop your ability to relate research concepts and topics to a clinical setting.
• You, in conjunction with a clinical supervisor, will identify a research question or area for development and then design an original project to highlight potential solutions.

• You will also complete a clinical portfolio – this module is not credit-bearing, but essential for a qualification which enables eligibility to sit the Physician Associate National Exam administered by the Royal College of Physicians and once passed, allows practice as a Physician Associate.
The cost for sitting this exam is borne by the applicant.

• All modules are compulsory and all modules must be passed in order to complete the qualification of MSc in Physician Associate Studies.

• Course Schedule: The program is offered full-time over two years.
Students are expected to attend lectures, seminars, workshops, and clinical placements according to the timetable provided by the university.
• Academic Year: The academic year typically starts in September and ends in June.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: Assessments include written and practical exams, case study reports, presentations, and self-reflection.
• Assessment Criteria: Assessments are designed to evaluate students' knowledge, understanding, application of skills, critical thinking, and communication abilities.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Teaching includes lectures, seminars, group discussions, workshops, practical sessions, and clinical placements.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced academic staff and healthcare professionals with expertise in various clinical and research areas.
• Unique Approaches: The program adopts a blended learning approach, combining academic rigor with practical experience in clinical settings.
It emphasizes developing clinical skills, professional attitudes, and research and analytical skills.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates can pursue careers as Physician Associates in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and community health centers.
• Career Opportunities: The program prepares graduates for a wide range of opportunities, including direct patient care, diagnosis and management of medical conditions, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and contributing to research and healthcare advancements.
• Career Outcomes: Graduates are well-equipped to make a significant contribution to the healthcare workforce and provide high-quality patient care.
The program's focus on clinical skills and professional development ensures that graduates are ready for immediate impact in their chosen careers.

Other:

• Duration: Two years full-time
• Start Date: September 2024
• Attendance: Intensive, with full-time attendance at the university and clinical placements.
• Location: De Montfort University, Leicester.
Placements across the East Midlands region.
• Application Deadline: January 31, 2024
• Fees: UK students - £9,500 per year
• Entry Criteria: Minimum of a 2:1 BSc Hons, or equivalent, in a life sciences or health-related subject.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS score of 7.0 in each domain (speaking, listening, reading, writing), with an overall score of at least 7.5.
• Interview: Applicants are required to write a personal statement and participate in a multiple mini-interview (MMI).
• Non-Academic Requirements: Professional behavior and satisfactory health screening required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: Enhanced DBS application required.

2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,500 per year