Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
PGCert Leading Clinical Research Delivery
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCert Leading Clinical Research Delivery | Programme code | PCT1EMSEMS19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2023/4 | |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The NHS needs to accelerate its development and retention of a broad range of clinician researchers, who will have responsibility for leading and / or contributing to research locally within their clinical setting. The need is most urgent where the disease burden is the greatest. As an experienced clinician or practitioner, you may want to be involved in research but feel you have a research skills gap or are disconnected from a research community. You might not have had the opportunity to follow an academic training pathway. This programme will provide you with the necessary networks, skills and confidence to contribute to, support and take steps towards developing a leadership role in clinical research, providing an alternative route into clinical research for you as someone who might otherwise remain excluded.
The University of Exeter’s Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Clinical Research Delivery has been developed in line with the new NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework, which has been developed jointly by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC). On successful completion you will attain a PGCert qualification that has prepared you to contribute to networked clinical research in everyday clinical settings, with the potential to develop further as a leader in this field.
This practical-based course features online, synchronous and facilitated learning, alongside asynchronous learning activities with both peer and tutor interaction and independent learning. It will focus on the practical elements of clinical research, for you as an experienced clinician and practitioner in an everyday setting, who might be new to research. You will develop a thorough appreciation of the theoretical foundation underpinning research design and sound understanding of how this can be applied practically within your healthcare setting. This will be achieved through online learning, alongside real-life cooperative work within a team to deliver quality healthcare research. You will explore topics such as research leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion and people-centred approaches to research delivery as well as planning and piloting to ensure study feasibility and optimal delivery. You will also consider the practicalities of doing clinical research and ways to improve participant recruitment and retention, before putting theory into practice by becoming directly involved with a clinical research project.
The 60-credit PGCert in Leading Clinical Research Delivery will include three 15-credit compulsory modules, each designed based on the NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework and tailored to the challenges and opportunities for clinical research in the 21st Century NHS:
- Integrity and Leadership in Research for Health and Healthcare (HPDM149Z)
- You will study infrastructures of clinical research, Good Clinical Practice, research ethics, Public and Patient Involvement & Engagement including for feasibility testing, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, evaluating local policies and standard operating procedures, leading clinical research.
- Doing Clinical Research (HPDM150Z)
- You will explore the importance of clinical research, scoping current knowledge and research, designing good research questions, coherence of study designs, study feasibility, case studies, disseminating research, communication skills for patient consent, improving recruitment, budget management, problem-solving approaches (e.g. root cause analysis), maximising potential of routinely collected data.
- Research Practice Experience (RPE) (HPDM151Z)
- You will be partnered with an experienced clinical research supervisor.
- You will develop practical experience in the supportive context of a clinical research network while working on existing research studies.
- You will have flexible access to high quality interactive online learning to develop knowledge and insight in respect of the approaches to, and delivery of, clinical research. This will emphasise key knowledge, skills and behaviours which demonstrate capability as a clinician researcher when delivering aspects of networked research within their scope of practice.
-
Complementing these compulsory core modules, students will choose one 15-credit module from a selection of postgraduate taught healthcare and research methods modules, allowing them to excel in an area of importance to research delivery in the NHS, such as:
- Epidemiology
- Evidence to Decision: Health Technology Assessment, Health Policy and Resource Allocation
- Principles of Primary Care
- Statistics As Applied to Health
- Clinical Trials
- Future Health: Beyond Data*
- Future Health: Reimagining Systems*
This programme is fully online, to maximise flexibility and engagement regardless of location. Most of the student-selectable modules take place in term 1, which would fit well timewise as only one compulsory module takes place in term 1. However, there are some optional modules scheduled in term 2 and 3, thus time-planning must be considered when you select your optional module.
In addition to the credit-bearing modules of this course, all students on Postgraduate Taught Programmes must complete the Master’s Level Learning - Induction course.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Clinical Research Delivery will provide you with practical experience in the supportive context of a clinical research network whilst you work on an existing clinical research study. To achieve this, the programme aims to help you:
- Develop a critical and reflexive understanding of key topics related to undertaking clinical research in a structured approach, with the highest regard for participants’ rights and data integrity.
- Develop a critical and reflexive understanding of the importance and impact of research questions, and the implications of contrasting approaches to clinical research.
- Develop an understanding of and commitment to a culture of continuous improvement; informing both the research undertaken and the way it is managed.
- Provide you with structured, practical experience and mentoring to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform the duties of a Co-Investigator Sub-Investigator at a health research site.
- Provide flexible access to high quality interactive online learning to develop your knowledge and insight in respect of the approaches to, and delivery of, clinical research. The online learning will emphasise key knowledge, skills and behaviours which help you demonstrate capability as a clinician researcher when delivering aspects of networked research within your scope of practice.
All learning will be supported by online resources and moderated activities on the University of Exeter’s electronic learning environment (ELE). Experienced academics and guest lecturers with appropriate clinical research experience and expertise will represent an appropriately diverse range of research backgrounds. The programme aims to provide a strong academic underpinning to practical clinical research delivery and to encourage you to explore opportunities to expand your scope of practice as your skills develop and in response to the needs of your clinical research network.
4. Programme Structure
The Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Clinical Research Delivery is a one-year, part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).
The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The PGCert in Leading Clinical Research Delivery is 60 credits in total and comprises three new 15-credit core modules, plus an optional fourth module (15 credits). Core module 1 will take place during term 1, while core modules 2 and 3 will take place during term 2. Optional modules will take place at varying times across the academic year.
There are no interim awards associated with this programme
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/medicine/lcrd/
45 credits of compulsory modules, 15 credits of optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM149Z | Integrity and Leadership in Research for Health and Healthcare | 15 | No |
| HPDM150Z | Doing Clinical Research | 15 | No |
| HPDM151Z | Research Practice Experience | 15 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM121Z | Epidemiology | 15 | No |
| HPDM136Z | Evidence to Decision: Health Technology Assessment, Health Policy and Resource Allocation | 15 | No |
| HPDM127Z | Principles of Primary Care | 15 | No |
| HPDM054Z | Statistics as Applied To Health | 15 | No |
| HPDM056Z | Clinical Trials | 15 | No |
| HPDM154Z | Future Health: Beyond Data | 15 | No |
| HPDM155Z | Future Health: Reimagining Systems | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of NHS infrastructures as they relate to clinical research delivery | The programme features a range of learning methods to facilitate your learning and develop understanding. These include online workshops and tutorials; forums for student discussion and learning development, online learning modules through the NIHR and ELE based activities. Independent study also forms a large part of the teaching and learning experience. | The ILOs are assessed in a number of ways to offer multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. These include – either individually, or in combination:
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
4. Evidence a comprehensive understanding of the local policies and operating procedures relating to clinical research delivery including resource management in your specific area of research. | Development of learning and understanding of all ILOs are achieved through engagement in a range of learning activities including student-led guided reading and completion of online learning packages, exploration of case studies, online discussions – both in-person and via online forum, online learning communities and interaction with the research supervisor and team. | The ILOs are assessed in a number of ways to offer multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. These include – either individually, or in combination:
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
7. Demonstrate critical and reflexive practice with respect to self and research protocols in terms of translation into clinical research delivery. | You will engage in numerous learning activities including face-to-face, online study days facilitated by clinical research delivery practitioners when possible and exploration of case studies. You will also be expected to participate in discussions with your online learning community.
Independent study and clinical research delivery practice will also play a major role in your learning. | The ILOs are assessed in a number of ways to offer multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. These include – either individually, or in combination:
|
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
- Completion of Expression of Interest form, to be submitted with your online application.
Healthcare professionals in England will be matched with a project / mentor for the Research Practice Experience module, and may be eligible for a DHSC bursary, whereas all other applicants will need to identify a project / mentor / indemnity insurance for the Research Practice Experience module as part of their application process and will not be eligible for a bursary.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
PGCert Leading Clinical Research Delivery
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 60 |
ECTS credits | 30 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 19/04/2022 |
Date of last revision | 11/08/2023 |
|---|
