Round table conversation amongst healthcare workers

Advanced Clinical Practice

MSc
Surgery and medicine

Course details 

Applications now open - September 2024 intake

RCSI is pleased to announce that applications for our diverse, medical and part-time MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice programme is now openfor September 2024 intake.

The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice presents a unique opportunity to clinicians looking to develop their key skills and expertise in the field of advanced clinical practice. The overall aim of the programme is to develop clinicians in preparing for the professional challenges that will arise within modern day clinical practice.

Completing this part-time MSc will support your development both personally and professionally. Access to subject matter experts on clinically relevant topics will expand your knowledge on contemporary health related topics. This Masters will challenge you to develop higher order skills in a psychologically safe environment. You will benefit from peer assisted learning and peer observation building a professional network and on-going community of practice.

This programme is 80% online with 20% face to face days on campus. Each module will have at least 1- or 2-days face to face. 

Please note funding for this programme is available. Click here to learn more.

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Suitabilty

The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice is open to all non-consultant health doctors in Ireland within non-surgical specialities such as radiology, anaesthesiology, general practice, emergency medicine, pathology, public health, occupational health, and all general medical specialties.

Programme aim

The aim of the Advanced Clinical Practice programme is to provide clinicians of various specialties a systematic understanding of the professional skills and techniques needed to provide leadership, management, teaching and research in clinical practice. Scholars on this programme will be able to gain a suite of essential skills and competencies in clinical practice in order to take on more advanced roles within your specialty, sector or setting.

Through extensive research of different non-surgical specialties, this programme is based on a number of critical modules that will help clinician’s better meet the demands of modern day clinical practice. Modules have also been selected based on clinicians having a positive impact on patient care in their practice. The programme is NUI-accredited.

Uniquely in year two, scholars will construct a comprehensive research strategy and produce a thesis inclusive of an original piece of research relating to an area of current advanced clinical practice. The Research Methods, Protocol Development, Design and Analysis modules in year one will equip you with the tools to prepare, manage, and design this substantial research project. Academic staff will also be available to support you in relation to you research dissertation.

Please email macp@rcsi.com with any queries.

Modules

Our part-time MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice programme has a diverse range of modules tailored to support the career development of non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland. 

We have 3 core modules and a choice from 8 optional modules. An MSc award requires completion of 90 ECTS.

Scholars must complete 3 mandatory modules totaling to 55 ECTS and then select 4 optional modules from a range of 8 totaling 35 ECTS. These consist of 3 x 10 ECTS Modules and 1 x 5 ECT Module.

Core modules - 55 ECTS

Research Methods: Protocol Design, Research and Analysis - 15 ECTS This module will equip you with the tools to prepare, manage, and design a substantial research project.
Healthcare Ethics, Law and Clinical Research - 10 ECTS This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to gain a deeper and more systematic understanding of ethical and legal issues both in principle and in practical aspects of healthcare and clinical research.
Research Dissertation - 30 ECTS In order to successfully achieve the qualification of a MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, you must complete a substantial research dissertation in a specialty of your choice. The dissertation must be original scholastic work, though not necessarily lab- based, suitable for peer-reviewed publication in a journal of high impact. You will consult with supervisors at regular intervals throughout the research process and will have at least six months to complete the dissertation.


Optional modules - Scholars must select 4 optional modules from a range of 8 totaling 35 ECTS. These consist of 3 x 10 ECTS Modules and 1 x 5 ECT Module

Clinicians as Educators  - 10 ECTS This module aims to support and promote the development of your role as a teacher and assessor in clinical practice.
Leading and Managing your Organisation - 10 ECTS The aims of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the nature of service and the factors that contribute to excellence in leading service in healthcare through lectures, guest speakers, seminars, readings and assignments.
Medical Devices, Technology and Innovation - 10 ECTS The aim of this module is to provide scholars with hands-on experience in the industry of medical invention, from identifying un-met needs to developing clinical and market strategies. The module will also seek to build the participants awareness of the various roles of clinical professionals (surgeons) in the design and development of medical devices.

Professionalism and Advanced Communication - 10 ECTS

 This module aims to support the development of the core skills below through exploring the concept of professionalism and the principles and practice of advanced communication.
Lean QI and Healthcare - 5 ECTS This module aims to develop an understanding of the evolution and guiding principles of lean healthcare and the link between 'lean', your patients and patient value.
Global Surgery - 5 ECTS The aim of this module is to introduce surgeons in training to the global healthcare context and specific issues relevant to the surgical profession. You are expected to gain awareness of surgical needs unique to developing countries and in humanitarian crises.
Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I - 10 ECTS This module aims to enhance a student's capacity to assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions that commonly present to GPs and in primary care, to conduct a clinical assessment and to perform therapeutic procedures (e.g. joint injections) with use of diagnostic imaging where appropriate and available.
Primary Care (Orthopaedics) II - 10 ECTS

This module follows on from the Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I module.

This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:

  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the best evidence underpinning professional skills and techniques needed to provide leadership, management, teaching and research in clinical practice.
  • Integrate knowledge from a number of sources to manage complexity and formulate evidence-based ethical clinical decisions.
  • Lead-out on quality improvement and lean initiatives within your department.
  • Illustrate development of a professional identity as a clinical educator.
  • Illustrate an ability to self-evaluate and reflect in order to develop continuously by identifying gaps in competence and take responsibility for continuing academic and professional growth.
  • Construct a comprehensive research strategy and produce a thesis inclusive of an original piece of research relating to an area of current advanced clinical practice.
  • Think independently, explore and critically analyse innovations in your own area of practice.
  • Distinguish between leadership styles, lead by example by demonstrating exemplary skills in ethical clinical practice, research and teaching.
  • Act professionally and communicate effectively with peers, colleagues, patients, carers and society.

Please note that our MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice programme is accredited by the University of the National University of Ireland (NUI).