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Programme Specification (PG)
Awarding body / institution: Queen Mary University of London
Teaching institution: Queen Mary University of London
Name of final award and programme title: MSc Physician Associate Studies
Name of interim award(s): PG Certificate in Healthcare Studies
PG Diploma in Healthcare Studies PG Diploma in Physician Associate Studies*
Duration of study / period of registration: 24 months
Queen Mary programme code(s): B
QAA Benchmark Group: NA
FHEQ Level of Award: Level 7
Programme accredited by:
Date Programme Specification approved: 27/08/2021(for Jan 2021 start)
Responsible School / Institute: Institute of Health Sciences Education
Schools / Institutes which will also be involved in teaching part of the programme:
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Collaborative institution(s) / organisation(s) involved in delivering the programme:
Barts Health NHS Trust, Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust, Moorfields NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital Royal Free University hospital, General practices within NC and NE London
Programme outline
The MSc in PA studies is delivered over 24 months (45 weeks per year) on a full-time basis. Roughly half of the course will be taught within the university and the remainder in work-place settings in hospitals and the community.
The curriculum is based on the Competence and Curriculum Framework or the Physician Associate 2012 and is structured into 3 elements: knowledge, skills and themes. Each of the 8 modules that constitute the course contains these key elements to varying degrees. Each of the elements link to specific learning outcomes related to the module of study.
Aims of the programme The programme aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and attitudes, in line with the professional standards set by the PAMVR and the requirements for the register. This is similar to the GMC’s GMP expected of doctors by the GMC to enable
graduates to perform autonomously but dependently alongside doctors. Graduates will be able to undertake many roles traditionally performed by doctors and as such will augment the existing medical work force. Graduates will have also have acquired the skills and attitudes for life-long learning and reflective practice, enabling them to meet the challenge of providing high quality health care, responsive to the changing needs of the population and the NHS. These aims are met though an innovative, student-centred course of study, which is responsive to the needs of employers and the strategic aims of the NHS. Learning occurs in a variety of educational settings but is distinguished by the early exposure to clinical environments.
What will you be expected to achieve?
Intended learning outcomes – the programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and appropriate attitudes, that supports PA competencies;
Academic Content:
A 1
Physical, biomedical and social science concepts, principles, processes and mechanisms underpinning a systems- based approach to the body in health and disease.
A 2 Health and illness in the context of the whole individual and his/her place in the family and community
A 3 Patients’ and carers’ experience of ill-health and medical care in a multi-cultural society
A 4
Disease prevention and health promotion in relation to public health medicine Disease prevention and health promotion in relation to public health medicine
Disciplinary Skills - able to:
B 1
Recognise normal and abnormal function of body systems.
B 2 Use effectively the various strands of knowledge and understanding in the context of treating patients.
B 3
Proficiency in a stipulated range of clinical and communication skills in Medicine (consistent with the GMC’s recommendations).
B 4 Proficiency in a stipulated range of clinical and communication skills in Medicine (consistent with the GMC’s recommendations).
B 5 Ability to work autonomously with appropriate supervision and as part of a team, including with other healthcare professionals
B 6 Appropriate modes of interaction with patients and others involved in healthcare.
B 7
Communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups, utilising a variety of means.
B 8 Record and evaluate his/her own academic, professional and clinical performance.
How is the programme structured?
Please specify the structure of the programme diets for all variants of the programme (e.g. full-time, part-time -
if applicable). The description should be sufficiently detailed to fully define the structure of the diet.
The course begins in January (start of semester 2). The programme is composed of 6 taught modules (150 credits) and a 30 credit research project. Modules which are largely studied in a sequential manner with a single pathway of study.
The course begins with an induction week which has the intention of providing a broad overview of the course, orientation to the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) and to services for students available within the SMD and Queen Mary University of London. As well as revision of study skills and tips to get the most out of the course.
Community Medicine will run in tandem with the other modules throughout the programme with students typically spending a day a week during most weeks of the course in a community setting. The purpose will be to provide a primary care perspective and focus relevant to the module being studied.
The first module, Applied Medical and Social Sciences is studied in full- time and lasts 8 weeks. The module will be completed in its entirety within the third semester and forms the backbone of the underpinning medical and social science required.
This is followed by a longitudinal dissertation carried out across the 24 months and concluding with the Quality Improvement in Healthcare project report in year 2. Throughout the first year students will be taught research methodology and evidenced based practice followed by 2 x fortnights and one 3 week block, whilst the remainder is studied independently facilitated by supervised masterclasses over the remainder of the 24 month course. Throughout the 24 months students therefore spend 8 specific weeks in supervised classroom activities on their health improvement project.
Clinical Medicine: Physical and Mental Health is a 16 week module comprising 7 weeks of classroom activity, anatomy and clinical placements. The module commences in semester 2 with a 6 week taught component and their first 6 week major clinical placement where students will be attached to a medical team. The module also contains 1 week didactic teaching and 3 weeks of clinical placement covering mental health issues including studying the effects of drug misuse on the individual, family units and wider society as well as clinical placements within drug misuse services.
The Community Medicine I module is an integrated module overall all comprising taught blocks and placement activities. The purpose of the 4 week blended module will be to learn about topics/ specialties which present frequently to primary care e.g. ENT, dermatology, musculoskeletal medicine including rheumatology).
All first year modules must passed to progress to the next year of study.
Year 2 begins with Care of Women and Children, an 11 week module encompassing obstetrics, gynaecology, sexual health and paediatrics. This is followed by Clinical Medicine and Surgery, which includes a week studying end of life pathways in hospital, hospice and community settings, and a revision of general clinical medicine including clinical skills and practical procedures.
The Clinical Medicine and Surgery module will focus on surgical problems affecting adults and will include a 3 week general surgery attachment in line with The Curriculum and Competency Framework for the Physician Assistant (CCF for the PA). This module also includes 2 weeks of classroom and a 5 week clinical placement in Healthcare for the Elderly. This module specifically has a spiral curricular nature and will visit aspects of clinical medicine and practical procedures. This is reinforced with a 6 week clinical attachment focusing on acute settings or "Front door Medicine" including; intensive care, acute stroke, acute medical unit and Emergency Medicine.
Students will have a 2 week private study break before the end of year exams, and there are two 3 week student selected component (SSC) blocks one in each year. There is overall 13 weeks of private study used either for consolidation, examination preparation or dissertation study.
Students who successfully pass Year 2 Finals and are in good standing may be enter into the national PA exam.
Academic Year of Study FT - Year 1
Module Title
Module
Code
Credits Level
Module
Selection
Status
Academic
Year of
Study
Semester
Applied Medical and Social Sciences IHS7110 30 7 Core 1 Semesters 2-
Clinical Medicine: Physical and Mental Health IHS7111 30 7 Core 1 Semester 3
Community Medicine I IHS7112 15 7 Core 1 Semester 3
Academic Year of Study FT - Year 2
Module Title
Module
Code
Credits Level
Module
Selection
Status
Academic
Year of
Study
Semester
Care of Women and Children IHS7114 30 7 Core 2 Semester 2
Clinical Medicine and Surgery IHS7113 30 7 Core 2 Semesters 1 & 3
Community Medicine II IHS7115 15 7 Core 2 Year Long
Quality Improvement in Healthcare project report IHS7118 30 7 Compulsory 2 Year Long
What are the entry requirements? All applicants for MSc Physician Associate program will be graduates.
UK graduates
- All candidates must have a BSc (honors) in Life Sciences, Biomedical or Health Profession Degree. This will usually be a bachelor’s degree or may be a four-year Masters, but the latter only if it is a first degree. The minimum academic entry requirements are:
- A second-class honours (2:2 minimum)
- A- level or equivalent in two science subjects. One science subject should be either in Chemistry &/ or Biology (minimum grade C).
- If an applicant is offered place, he/she must have completed this degree prior to enrolment. Candidates are required to complete their degree within the prescribed period allowed by their University.
- Candidates whose native language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
Candidate must meet one of the following English Language qualifications from applicants educated within the UK but not in the English language medium who meet our other academic criteria:-
o IELTS with a score of 7.0 overall (must have been taken within 2 years)
Programme-specific rules and facts
All modules, with the exception of IHS7118 Quality Improvement in Healthcare project report, are core and therefore must be taken and passed; Students must take and pass all 75 credits to progress from year one to year 2 of the programme.
Exit Awards: *Students passing all taught modules but failing the Quality Improvement Project will be awarded a 120 credit Pg Diploma in Physician Associate Studies Students who achieve 120 credits but fail any taught module will be awarded a Pg Diploma in Healthcare Studies Students who achieve 60 credits will be awarded a Pg Certificate in Healthcare Studies
National Exam. To qualify and practise as a Physician Associate student must undertake the national exam (not part of the Queen Mary award). Only those students who pass the end of year 2 exams will be recommended for the national exam.
How inclusive is the programme for all students, including those with disabilities?
All students will have access to the Student Support Office for advice and guidance. Where appropriate, students will be supported by the Disability and Dyslexia Service. Due to the vocational nature of the course, a student's ability to achieve the learning outcomes for the course and therefore be in a position to perform the work of a PA will need to be considered on a case by case basis and will be dependent upon the nature and severity of their disability.
Links with employers, placement opportunities and transferable skills
The programme has been devised in collaboration with a wide range of NHS employers. It is well supported by the local NHS trusts in North Central East London and Clinical commissioning groups, as well as the Royal Free Hospital Trust. You will spend time in these workplaces as part of your course. This exposure will help you to decide your future field of medical practice. You will find that on completion of the course, your skills will be highly sort after. Employment opportunities are likely to be excellent. However, in order to practise, it is essential that you pass both programme as well as the National Certifying Exam.
Programme Specification Approval
Person completing Programme Specification: Dr Nimesh Patel
Person responsible for management of programme: Ms Arunthathi Mahendran
Date Programme Specification produced / amended by
School / Institute Learning and Teaching Committee:
Date Programme Specification approved by Taught
Programmes Board:
27/08/2021(for Jan 2021 start)
