180 credits of compulsory modules.
HPDM054Z: Statistics as Applied to Health
This module provides an introduction to statistical concepts and methods relevant to health research. You will develop your understanding of these concepts/methods enabling you to interpret the statistical aspects of research studies and published papers.
You will learn to recognise the most commonly encountered types of data in health research and learn which statistical methods are appropriate to summarise such data and make statistical inferences. You will be able to interpret the findings of published research and critically appraise the choice of statistical methods in those papers. You will understand the concepts relevant to the pooling of study findings across research papers and understand the factors that need to be taken into consideration when calculating the number of participants required in a research study.
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HPDM055: Qualitative Methods and Process Evaluations
This module aims to equip you as a health services researcher with both the fundamental and advanced knowledge, understanding and skills to plan and undertake qualitative analyses in applied health care research. You will also critically evaluate the place of process evaluations within experimental designs to clarify causal mechanisms associated with variation in outcomes.
You will develop competences in the design, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data suitable for a range of health services research study designs. You will develop an understanding of how to apply in depth and systematic knowledge to manage and perform research with technical expertise in qualitative methods. You will be able to design a basic process evaluation to examine how a complex intervention operates.
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HPDM056Z: Clinical Trials
This is an online module.
This module will focus on clinical trials in an applied health research setting, with a focus on current trends in clinical trial design. You will learn how to evaluate health care technologies, including complex interventions, using a range of observational and experimental trial methods, from standard randomised clinical trials to pilot/feasibility studies, cluster trials, stepped wedge, observational and non-randomised designs. On top of covering different trial designs, through structured practical sessions, you will learn how to navigate the intricate connections between research ethics, sponsor and governance; to design a case report form; to plan and achieve successful recruitment; to implement good project management skills. You will develop competencies in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of interventional and observational study designs. You will critically use different research reporting standards to plan and disseminate the findings of clinical trials that involve patients or community-based participants. At the end of the course, you will have a grasp of key methods that underpin a robust, ethical and well managed clinical trial in either the health service or commercial sector.
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HPDM092: Fundamentals of Research Design
In this compulsory introductory module, you will critically examine and apply the core concepts and perspectives at the heart of applied health and care research, and the main methods and elements of study design that underpin this multidisciplinary and highly applied area of social science. It seeks balanced coverage of: quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods; a wide range of disciplinary perspectives; appreciation of the full range of health service and health policy goals (e.g. effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, accessibility, equity, and understanding the perspectives of different stakeholders); and is based around the key study design choices which all applied social science studies face. It will also cover fundamental considerations in all high quality applied health research, such as: the role of theory; patient and public involvement; data processing and management, and research ethics.
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HPDM093: Systematic Reviews for Policy and Practice
Undertaking this module will provide you with the skills you need to plan and conduct systematic reviews and other types of evidence synthesis. Topics covered will include question formulation, forming a team and the importance of end-user involvement, protocols and reporting standards, searching, study selection, data extraction, critical appraisal, synthesis to include simple meta-analysis, qualitative synthesis and mixed methods synthesis, other review methods e.g. realist reviews, scoping reviews and evidence maps and overviews of review dissemination and creative communication.
You will examine how to frame and identify uncertainties in clinical practice, identify which review method is most appropriate for a review question and type of evidence, and develop demonstrable competencies in all the necessary steps of systematic reviews/evidence syntheses.
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HPDM148Z: Independent Research
This dissertation module is the piece of independent research associated with the Masters in Leading Clinical Research Delivery. It is co-delivered with HPDM148. It is designed to enable you to produce a project report under supervision, and to demonstrate project design, development, evaluation, synthesis and dissemination skills.
The aim of the independent research module is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to design, conduct, evaluate and write up a project on a topic that is of relevance to the title and aim of your award and in doing so, to demonstrate self-direction, originality and an ability to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of project skills at an advanced professional level.
Supervisors will be drawn from academic staff and external co-supervisors (where appropriate) depending on your research interest.
You can undertake primary or secondary research, which can involve quantitative and/or qualitative data. Common research designs include formalised literature reviews (e.g., scoping or systematic reviews), cross-sectional surveys, and qualitative interviews. You will be guided to select appropriate topics given time and resource constraints, and the need to ensure studies have all necessary approvals (e.g., research ethics).
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HPDM154Z: Future Health: Beyond Data
With a focus on outcomes-based healthcare, public health and prevention of disease, in this module you will go beyond data analytics and artificial intelligence to look at societies' expectations and the way systems will adapt and evolve.
You will explore the application of artificial intelligence, and the scope of data analytics to transform the quality and value of healthcare 'from bedside to board'. You will explore new paradigms, such as how patient-centred care has been redefined by technically empowered patients shaping their care: 'the patient will see you now'. You will consider the changing role and educational needs of the human professional, exploring where humans add value in future health systems and where smart devices know patients better than their carers through monitoring health metrics.
This module will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to innovate, lead, and deliver digitally-integrated health and social care that meets the needs of individual patients and broader society. You will critically appraise the purpose and uses of data collection and analysis, including machine learning and predictive data to inform clinical decision-making.
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HPDM155Z: Future Health: Reimagining Systems
With a focus on outcomes-based health and social care, public health and prevention of disease, this module will explore the possibilities and effects that different systems might have on the delivery of care in the future at regional, national and international levels. It will focus on the drivers to transform existing linear structures into complex systems and emerging models of delivery, such as consumer-led health care. It will explore the complexity of healthcare systems and how they can be harnessed to bring about sustainable, equitable improvements in care and public health across the world.
In this module you will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to lead, manage and deliver affordable, sustainable and equitable health and social care services in a world transformed by emerging digital capabilities and partnerships between sectors. You will synthesise the perspectives of health and social care providers, industry partners, other sectors, patients and academia to seek out holistic approaches to local, national and global health challenges.
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HPDM220Z: Health Economics
The continuous growth in the use of genomic technologies alongside other emerging healthcare innovations has led to many health advancements, but also has cost implications. Using established health economic methods, especially economic evaluation, it is possible to predict the costs of new treatments and the potential benefits to patients, the NHS and the wider economy in the context of the available resources for healthcare.
This module explores the potential impact of genomic medicine and other healthcare technologies on the healthcare system, its patients and their families. The health economic approach of economic evaluation methods will be used to demonstrate to you the potential costs and benefits of new clinical and technological approaches.
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