PG Certificate in Primary Care

Program Overview

This program provides a comprehensive understanding of primary care, equipping healthcare practitioners and policymakers with skills to engage in transforming and strengthening primary healthcare systems, regardless of their career level. Offered through a blended learning approach, it covers topics from leading change to practical clinical reasoning, and aligns with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan for expanding primary care workforce. The program benefits from the research and teaching expertise at the University of Exeter, and partnerships with the Royal College of GPs and NHSE South West.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is designed for primary healthcare practitioners and policymakers seeking a qualification in primary care. It aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to engage effectively in changing and strengthening primary care, regardless of their current stage in their healthcare career.

Objectives:

• Gain expertise in primary care: The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles behind primary care, applicable to clinical conditions encountered in generalist medicine.
• Develop advanced knowledge: Participants will acquire up-to-date knowledge using cutting-edge technology.
• Enhance practical skills: The program focuses on developing skills to successfully engage in changing and strengthening primary care.
• Meet diverse training needs: Developed in collaboration with the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and NHSE South West, the program caters to the training needs of both international and UK healthcare professionals.

Outline:

Content:

The program aims to provide a qualification that demonstrates advanced clinical primary care practice, alongside mastery of the evidence and theories underpinning modern primary care. It covers topics such as:

• Principles of leading change: Designing practical solutions to key issues in primary care, such as the balance between accessibility and continuity of care.
• Care of individual and groups of patients: Principles relating to the care of individual patients, as well as the care of groups of patients.
• Practical experience: Designing clinics, tackling inequality, and implementing interventions to improve community health, including prevention and health maintenance.

Structure:

The program consists of 30 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules.

Compulsory Modules:

• HPDM127 Principles of Primary Care (15 credits): This module explores the fundamental principles of primary care.
• HPDM185 Principles of Primary Care in Practice (15 credits): This module focuses on applying the principles of primary care in real-world settings.

Optional Modules:

• HPDM163 Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Primary Care (30 credits): This module delves into advanced clinical reasoning skills specific to primary care.
• HPDM059 Leading Change in Health Services (15 credits): This module focuses on leadership and change management within health services.
• HPDM080 Leadership in Healthcare (15 credits): This module explores leadership principles and practices in healthcare.
• HPDM081 Management in Healthcare (15 credits): This module covers management principles and practices relevant to healthcare settings.
• HPDM105 Education Essentials (15 credits): This module provides a foundation in educational principles and practices.

Course Schedule:

• Contact Days: The program includes contact days for each module, with a draft timetable available for the 2024/25 academic year.
• Blended Learning: The program utilizes a blended learning approach, combining lectures, classroom discussions, bespoke tutorials, practical exercises, and online resources accessed through the University of Exeter's electronic learning environment (ELE).

Assessment:

• Short Assessments: Tailored to each module, some assessments are conducted in class, while others require electronic submission of assignments.
• Variety of Assessment Methods: The program employs a range of assessment methods, including:
• Interactive arena sessions
• Masterclasses
• Practical classes
• Tutorials/small groups
• Lectures
• Work-based teaching and learning
• Web-based recording of teaching
• Viewing and providing feedback on others' teaching
• Designing assessments
• Maintaining a teaching portfolio

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Interactive arena sessions
• Masterclasses
• Practical classes
• Tutorials/small groups
• Lectures
• Work-based teaching and learning
• Web-based recording of teaching
• Viewing and providing feedback on others' teaching
• Designing assessments
• Maintaining a teaching portfolio
• Rob Bethune: Colo-Rectal Consultant Surgeon, with experience in improving healthcare service delivery and quality improvement.
• Unique Approaches: The program provides a safe environment for participants to share their ideas, perspectives, and experiences in response to realistic scenarios.
It also emphasizes a flipped classroom and hybrid learning approach, offering flexibility and catering to diverse learning styles.

Careers:

• Career Enhancement: The program provides a career-enhancing qualification, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to shape and strengthen primary care at local and global levels.
• Alignment with NHS Workforce Plan: The program aligns with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to expand the primary healthcare workforce.
• Potential Career Paths: Graduates can pursue careers in:
• Primary care practice
• Primary care leadership
• Primary care policy
• Primary care research
• Primary care education

Other:

• Research: The University of Exeter is renowned for its globally recognized research in public health and clinical medicine.
The program benefits from this research expertise, ensuring that participants receive cutting-edge knowledge and insights.
• Facilities: The program is based at the St Luke's campus in Exeter, which offers a range of facilities, including:
• Life Sciences Resource Centre
• Clinical Skills Resource Centre
• Medical Imaging suite
• Medical Sciences Laboratory
• Partnerships: The program is developed in conjunction with the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and NHSE South West, reflecting its commitment to meeting the needs of the healthcare community.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: £4,250 part-time International fees per year: £9,900 part-time