| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-02-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Through lectures, simulations, and self-directed study, participants develop advanced skills and knowledge to optimize patient outcomes and pursue careers in tissue viability, nursing, and other healthcare fields. The program is open to registered nurses and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge in this specialized area.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Title:
Leg Ulcer Management (Level 7, 30 credits)
School:
School of Health and Society
Attendance:
Part-time
- Advanced understanding of evidence-based leg ulcer management
- Enhancing professional knowledge and skills
- Optimizing patient outcomes
Objectives:
- Deepen knowledge of lower leg anatomy, physiology, and the epidemiology and aetiology of leg ulcers.
- Develop assessment skills considering biological, psychological, social factors, and diagnostic investigations.
- Compare and critique current leg ulcer management practices.
- Critically analyze legal and professional aspects of leg ulcer care.
- Identify factors influencing patient adherence and suggest quality-of-life improvement strategies.
Outline:
Course Content:
- Anatomy and physiology of the lower leg
- Epidemiology and aetiology of leg ulceration
- Assessment of leg ulcers
- Management of leg ulcers
- Legal and professional issues in leg ulcer care
- Patient concordance with treatment and aftercare
Course Structure:
- 21 hours direct teaching: lectures, seminars, simulation
- 9 hours indirect teaching: group discussions, reflections on practice, industry-led workshops
- 10 hours tutorials: assessment support
- 260 hours self-directed study: VLE resources, library materials, videos, national/international policies
- Assessments: Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) with 45-minute assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a simulated patient with a leg ulcer, followed by 15-minute viva defending the assessment and exploring how it informed clinical decision-making and aftercare.
Assessment:
Assessment Method:
Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Assessment Components:
45-minute assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a simulated leg ulcer patient. 15-minute viva defending assessment, diagnostic investigations, and their impact on clinical decision-making and aftercare.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
Lectures, seminars, simulation, tutorials, self-directed learning
Faculty:
Experienced and qualified nurse educators and practitioners
Unique Approaches:
Use of simulated leg ulcer wounds for practical skill development, group discussions, and peer review.
Careers:
Career Options:
- Tissue Viability Link Nurse
- Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist
- Community Nurse (adult, CYP, MH)
- Surgical Nurse (adult, CYP)
- Nurse in A&E (adult, CYP, MH)
- Level 3 & 4 Critical Care Nurse (adult, CYP)
- Nurse working with self-harm patients (adult, MH, CYP)
- Wound care specialist in nursing homes
- Podiatrist expanding wound care knowledge
Career Links:
Industry partners from dressing, diagnostics, compression bandaging, and compression hosiery companies. Strong links with over 100 health and social care organizations.
Other:
- The module is aimed at registered nurses, healthcare professionals, medical staff, nurse/industry advisors, and those who wish to progress their knowledge of leg ulcer management and make informed decisions about assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of related services.
- Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is available for students with relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully, regardless of formal entry qualifications.
