PGCert Paediatric Anaesthesia

Course description

Our online learning MSc Paediatric Anaesthesia is a unique course for anaesthetists and anaesthetic trainees who have an interest in paediatric anaesthesia.

Children and infants present unique challenges to anaesthetists, who are involved not only in the delivery of safe anaesthesia, but also in peri-operative care, acute and chronic pain management and in the resuscitation and stabilisation of the seriously ill or injured child.

This is an academic course that, when combined with clinical experience, will produce anaesthetists who can deliver high quality care in the field of paediatric anaesthesia.

You will develop:

• the skills required to understand medical literature and research and apply this knowledge as evidence-based practice;
• the ability to gain a firm grasp of the science, pathophysiology and paediatric medicine underpinning the practice of paediatric anaesthesia;
• the ability to critically appraise current practice, develop the specialty further, and improve patient care.

We have developed this course in partnership with the Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH), drawing on the hospital's high level of knowledge and expertise to provide you with the breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding expected from paediatric anaesthetists today. This MSc is suitable if you are a consultant anaesthetist working in either specialist or non-specialist centres and have an interest in paediatric anaesthesia.

Our course would also be suitable for trainees undergoing advanced clinical training in paediatric anaesthesia.

Aims

This course aims to:

• provide the necessary academic preparation for the clinical practice of paediatric anaesthesia;
• enable you to critically appraise current practice and develop an evidence-based approach to solving clinical problems;
• help you to grasp the science, pathophysiology and paediatric medicine underpinning the practice of paediatric anaesthesia.

The knowledge and skills you will gain during the course, combined with your clinical experience, will enable you to improve patient care and further develop the speciality of paediatric anaesthesia.

Teaching and learning

The MSc runs over three years part-time, making full use of a blended learning approach.

It is flexible enough for full-time professionals to undertake, and consists of online distance learning, supplemented by face-to-face study days at The University of Manchester.

Coursework and assessment

We will assess your progress through examining your participation in online discussions, mid-unit assignments, end of unit assignments and the written reflective element.

Satisfactory completion of all units of training for each year will allow progression to the next year of study.

Career opportunities

This course is designed for advanced trainees in paediatric anaesthesia who intend to pursue consultant careers in hospitals providing tertiary paediatric care.

It is also suitable for anaesthetists with paediatric responsibilities working in district general hospitals, as well as consultant anaesthetists applying for roles at tertiary children's hospitals, or at district general hospitals with significant paediatric activity.