Professional Doctorate in General Internal Medicine (Clinical MD; MPhil)
University of Hertfordshire
Key Information
Campus location
Hatfield, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
Blended
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 25,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* plus £7500 for foundation training for sponsored registration with GMC
Introduction
"Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2021/2022. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details."
The Clinical MD programme is specially designed for overseas, early-career medical practitioners who wish to undertake a substantial course of individual research and develop clinical skills related to general internal medicine. It will provide you with the recognition required to become a specialist in general internal medicine in your home country.
You'll undertake an individual research project on novel medical or healthcare delivery combined with related studies in general internal medicine supported by clinical placements at local NHS hospital sites.
The duration of the programme is of 27 months, with a flexible starting date with two intakes per year.
All applicants have the option to be considered by the General Medical Council (GMC) for full registration with sponsorship. To be eligible for this option, applicants will undertake a two-week foundation training programme at an NHS hospital that provides clinical placement for the programme. Additional entry requirements and fees apply.
Admissions
Curriculum
You'll undertake an individual research project on novel medical or healthcare delivery combined with related studies in general internal medicine supported by clinical placements at local NHS hospital sites. Each NHS clinical placement will consist of attending ward rounds, clinics, multidisciplinary team meetings, hospital grand rounds and specialist’s clinical procedures (e.g. cardiac catheterisation, endoscopy).
The structure of the programme falls into three parts: (a) research project, (b) clinical placement and (c) clinical units of study.
Research project
You'll choose a novel research topic in collaboration with your supervisory team within the field of general internal medicine, and will be guided and supported through:
- Guided learning in health research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative research), social, political and economic concepts of health research among other research development courses
- Supervision and independent study to define the research topic assessed by an initial registration assessment to progress onto the next stage
- Guided learning study days with continued supervised research and independent study assessed by doctoral review assessment (second progression). The first and second progression assessments consist of a viva based on a progress report detailing the student’s learning area evaluations and reflections
- Presentation of the final project results in a thesis defended by a final viva. While undertaking the programme, students will also be encouraged to publish manuscripts, submit posters, abstracts, and present at scientific conferences to give more visibility to their research work.
NHS clinical placement
Each NHS clinical placement will consist of attending ward rounds, clinics, multidisciplinary team meetings, hospital grand rounds and specialist’s clinical procedures (e.g. cardiac catheterisation, endoscopy). In addition, there will be:
- Sharing of up-to-date knowledge of international guidelines in day-to-day clinical practice (e.g. NICE)
- Bedside teaching and case-based discussions of different clinical scenarios
- Teaching and direct experience and understanding of NHS healthcare system
- Demonstration of clinical competencies through assessments such as Mini Clinical Evaluation Skills (mini-CEX) and case-based discussion (CbD) of Knowledge and Skills. Completion will be supported by teaching medical consultants and recorded using a personalised e-portfolio.
University blended learning
Throughout the course, you'll also have access to:
- Online pre-recorded sessions, discussions, webinars and self-study in support of all the clinical units of learning
- Study days in clinical skills labs and an induction
- Pre-placement tutorials to facilitate the working practises in the NHS (e.g. cultural safety, human factors)
- A wide range of online research development programmes (e.g. statistics, communication and presentation skills, technical writing, resilience and assertiveness)
- Self-directed learning to complement all the above
- Invitation to events, social gatherings and others.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
While studying at the University of Hertfordshire and working at NHS hospitals, you'll be supported by a team of expert academics and practitioners from different specialities who are conducting world-leading research (3-4* REF) within the Centre of Health Services and Clinical Research.
You'll gain essential doctoral-level knowledge and skills in general internal medicine, which will be recorded using an e-portfolio. You'll also benefit from our vibrant, dynamic and international community of postgraduate medical researchers and have the opportunity of living close to London.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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