COURSE SPECIFICATION - University of Ulster

COURSE SPECIFICATION
COURSE TITLE:
PGDIPLOMA/MSc IN DEMENTIA STUDIES
1 AWARDING INSTITUTION/BODY: UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
2 TEACHING INSTITUTION: UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
3 LOCATION: JORDANSTOWN / CAMPUS ONE
4 COURSE ACCREDITED BY: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL (through NIPEC)
SOCIAL WORK COUNCIL (being submitted)
5 FINAL AWARD: POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DEMENTIA STUDIES
or
MSc IN DEMENTIA STUDIES
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION AS SPECIALIST
NURSE RECORDED ON NMC REGISTER (Nurses only)
6 MODE OF ATTENDANCE: PART-TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
7 SPECIALISMS:
8 COURSE CODES: G828PJ, G559PJ
9 HESA CODE: 7
10 EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
Aim
This programme aims to provide various health and social care professionals with the knowledge and skills
required to deliver high quality, holistic, person-centred care to people with dementia and their carers.
11 MAIN LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning.
11K
K1
K2
SUBJECT RELATED QUALITIES
Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate an understanding within a comparative, international public health perspective of the
incidence and prevalence of the major dementing conditions
Demonstrate a high level of knowledge about the epidemiology, aetiology, course and treatment of
various dementias and skills in providing a high quality, holistic, person-centred response to people
with dementia and their carers
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Assessment Methods:
Elearning, contribution to seminars and discussions.
Group WebCT presentations, case studies, other written
submissions
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11I
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES
Evaluate alternative approaches to understanding and meeting the needs of this client group
Explore and evaluate the contribution of evidence-based practice in various dementia care services
such as hospitals, nursing and residential homes, day care and domiciliary care
Analyse and evaluate legal and ethical issues pertaining to the care of people with dementia and
their carers and to be competent in balancing rights and risks
Analyse and evaluate the importance of demographic, organisational, financial, geographical and
political factors on the delivery of dementia services, particularly those factors relevant to the region
in which the student presently works
Contribute effectively to policy formulation, service planning and delivery, and quality enhancement
through application of a thorough understanding of contemporary developments, design and
technology in dementia care services, and issues unique to dementia service provision in region in
which the student presently works
I6 MSc Plan and undertake a research project and prepare this for dissemination either in the form
only of a paper suitable for publication in an academic journal or as a dissertation
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Assessment Methods:
Elearning, contribution to seminars and discussions, group and
individual supervision for MSc dissertation, professional practice
Group WebCT presentations, case studies, dissertation, clinical
assessment (where appropriate)
11P
P1
P2
P3
P4
PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
Within the client’s social context, contribute fully to the assessment of the client through initial
generic assessment, specialist assessment by a specific discipline, the use of differential physical
and psychological tests and measurement tools, and be able to make appropriate referrals
Help the person with dementia to achieve their personal goals through various interventions such as
information, counselling, advice, support, occupation and social stimulation and referral
Practice and evaluate an experimental, open-minded approach to environmental interventions
designed to enhance the quality of life of an individual with dementia, the family and professional
carers
Provide professional leadership, mentoring, supervision and support within a multi-professional
perspective to dementia care colleagues
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Assessment Methods:
Elearning, contribution to seminars and discussions, group and
individual supervision for MSc dissertation, professional practice
Group WebCT presentations, case studies, dissertation, clinical
assessment (where appropriate)
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11T
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
TRANSFERABLE/KEY SKILLS
Demonstrate the skills to work co-operatively and effectively across professional boundaries in
planning a uni and multi-professional response to the needs of the person with dementia and their
carers
Critically reflect on the effects of values, beliefs and professional allegiances on the delivery of care
to people with dementia
Explore and value the contribution of family carers and enhance their wellbeing and ability to cope
with living with and caring for a person with dementia by providing information, education, training,
counselling, advice and support
Challenge current thinking and practice in relation to organisational, environmental and societal
changes required to provide person-centred care to people with dementia and their families
Critically assess the merits and demerits of an entrepreneurial approach to service planning and
delivery
Utilize the skills of innovation to demonstrate an understanding of how to plan, resource and
implement new service initiatives
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Assessment Methods:
Elearning, groupwork in preparation of presentations, contribution
to seminars and discussions, professional practice
Group WebCT presentations, case studies, dissertation, clinical
assessment (where appropriate)
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Students will be expected to take responsibility for their own learning, with the support of academic staff and
clinical mentors for those aiming for a professional qualification. .
Elearning is the major method for presentation of most of the theoretical content in this programme.
Students will be provided with the necessary guidance to use this approach effectively and informed about
technical support. Progress will be monitored through regular web-based discussion/ seminars.
Development of an understanding of the contribution to care of individuals with dementia and their carers of
the different members of the multidisciplinary team will be promoted through groupwork. This will be carried
out primarily through elearning based discussions. In addition, regular face-to-face sessions will be
available for discussion of issues arising from students’ individual areas of practice.
Clinical Practice. The role of the mentor is central to the development of competence in clinical practice for
those nurses undertaking the Specialist Practice programme for a recorded qualification on the NMC
Register. The mentor will teach, guide and support students in the achievement of clinical competencies.
He/she will also monitor development of competencies and record successful achievement.
Assessment Methods:
Assessment methods are described in more detail in relation to each module. The methods used include:
Summative Assessment
• Examination
• Written submissions such as case studies, essays etc.
• Certification of successful completion of practice competencies
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11 MODULE OUTCOME MAP
Please Note: The matrix displays only the main measurable outcomes. There may be other outcomes detailed in the module descriptions (eg attitudes and
behaviours) which are not assessed.
MODULE
TITLES CODE
LEARNING OUTCOMES
K1 K2 I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 P1 P2 P3 P4 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
Understandings of Dementia P
The Context of Dementia Care P
Approaches to Dementia Care P
Advanced Methods in Health and Social Care Research NUR816J
Knowledge and Decision-Making for Practice
Strategic Issues in Dementia Care
MSc Research Project NUR836J
Clinical Placement Competencies (for Nurses
undertaking Specialist Practice Preparation)
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12 COURSE STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
This programme consists of 120 credits of study presented through four specialised modules about
dementia (75 credits) and two generic modules on research and epistemology (45 credits) for the
Postgraduate Diploma. Those completing this level of study may continue to undertake a research project
(60 credits) for the award of the MSc in Dementia Studies.
Those nurses undertaking the specialist practice qualification within this programme will also complete 75
days of practice and demonstrate achievement of clinical competencies specified.
The programme will be available part-time n the first instance but also full-time from year 2. It will be
offered mainly through elearning.
Module Title Credit Credit Module Status Awards
Level Points [exit awards]
Understandings of Dementia M 20 Required
The Context of Dementia Care M 20 Required
Approaches to Dementia Care M 20 Required
Advanced Methods in Health and Social
Care Research M 30 Required
Knowledge and Decision-Making for Practice M 15 Required
Strategic Issues in Dementia Care M 15 Required
MSc Research Project M 60 Required
PGDiploma in
Dementia
Studies
[Specialist Qualification in
Dementia care - Nurses only]
MSc in
Dementia
Studies
13 SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING
Each student will be allocated to a Studies Adviser who will provide academic and personal support for
completion of the programme.
All students will also have access to the full range of student services provided.
Support will be available to deal with technical issues related to the use of elearning through Campus One.
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14
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE COURSE
Applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements and specific requirements for admission
to the course are detailed below:
Honours Graduates in a relevant health or social care profession.
Other graduates working in the area of dementia.
[Graduates with less than a first or upper second class honours degree are normally interviewed]
Completion of an Undergraduate Research Methods module
[Those who do not meet this requirement will be required to undertake such a module (available by
distance learning or attendance) before commencing the programme].
Entrants will have or be able to negotiate access to practice settings.
Applicants without the usual entrance requirements will be assessed through APEL.
Nurses aiming for a Specialist Practice qualification recorded on the NMC Register are required to:
• Be entered on the NMC Register as Adult, Mental Health or Learning Disability nurses.
• Have 3 years relevant clinical experience and currently be working in a relevant area
• Have the support of their senior manager and agreed arrangements for mentorship to be
provided.
• Have successfully completed an undergraduate module on management in nursing or health
care.
Decisions about admission will be made on the basis of written application, references and, in some
instances, an interview. Academic ability, previous study of a professional area and research knowledge,
reasons for wishing to undertake the programme and indications of creative thinking will be considered.
International Students
International students will be considered on the basis of the marks shown on their transcripts in comparison
with norms for the programmes they have completed. The overall mark obtained in their degree should
indicate a level of performance equivalent to a UK honours degree.
English: an IELTS score of at least 6 overall, and 5.5 in each section of the test.
International students aiming for a NMC recognised specialist nursing qualification must gain NMC
registration, study full-time in Northern Ireland, and have 6.5 on the IELTS score.
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15
EVALUATING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF LEARNING AND
TEACHING
The methods below are used to the evaluate and enhance the quality of programmes offered.
Evaluation
Student evaluation of content and teaching/learning methods
Performance in theoretical assessment
Performance on clinical competencies
Contribution to discussions
Mentors’ feedback (for those taking professional qualification)
External examiners report
Staff-student liaison meetings or other method of obtaining student feedback
Annual Course Review
Improving Quality
Response to all of the above
16 REGULATION OF STANDARDS,
Assessment rules
External examiners
• Pass mark at Postgraduate level is 50%
• All assessments must be passed
• Distinction will be awarded for the PGDiploma or MSc for an overall mark of 70%, with 70%
for the Research Project for the MSc, and 70% in modules equivalent to at least 50% of the
total credit points.
• Pass of all clinical competencies (when professional qualification being included)
An external examiner will be appointed with experience in offering such a programme in Great
Britain. His/her responsibilities will be to:
• review the standard of work produced by students and compare this with work produced by
students on comparable courses elsewhere
• comment on the quality of teaching and learning
• review the appropriateness of assessment methods
• comment on any other relevant issues
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17 INDICATORS OF QUALITY RELATING TO LEARNING AND TEACHING
• The course will be accredited by NIPEC on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for
award of a recorded qualification as a Specialist Nurse in Dementia Care.
• The Social Work Council will validate the programme as contributing to the Post-Qualifying
Award for Social Workers.
• 84% of academic staff and 92% of Nursing staff in the School of Nursing are:
‣ Registered Nurse Teachers or
‣ hold another teaching qualification or
‣ are currently undertaking a teaching qualification.
• Remaining Nurse lecturers are commencing the Nurse teachers course in the next academic
year
• Dr Viv Coates, a Senior lecturer in the School of Nursing, has been awarded a Distinguished
Teaching Fellowship, one of two awarded by the University each year.
• Nursing at the University of Ulster was awarded a score of 22 at QAA Subject Review [2001]
• The School of Nursing at the University of Ulster gained a score of 4 in the Research
Assessment Exercise and is joint 5 th in the UK [2002]
• The majority of staff contributing to this programmes belong to the Recognised Research Group
on Working with Older People within the Centre for Nursing Research.
• At present 24 members of staff hold Doctorates and 21 are currently working towards these
awards
• FDTL4 funding of £250,000 awarded in August 2002 for project on development of role of
mentor by University of Ulster in partnership with Universities of Plymouth and Northumbria and
in collaboration with Queen’s University of Belfast.
• The majority of staff from Social Work involved with the teaching and delivery of the course are
subject specialists who are actively engaged in research activity, which is used to inform their
teaching.
• Nineteen staff from Social Work were entered in to the 2001 RAE and achieved a 3a rating.
Much of this research activity contributes to policy, practice and service developments within
local Health Boards and Trusts although there is also a developing international research profile
within the staff team.
• All new members of staff are required to undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher
Education as a formal teaching qualification and existing members of staff are encouraged to do
likewise.
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