Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research (MSc)

Course Overview

The overall aim of the MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research is two-pronged: 

1. The first aim is to develop participants’ capacity to take a leadership role in relation to teaching healthcare students. The programme will empower participants to become competent and self-directed clinical educators. Many healthcare professionals report feeling under-trained to take on the responsibilities of the clinical educator role. Lack of knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching and assessing students particularly weak and challenging students are commonly cited concerns.  This MSc will provide opportunities for participants to advance their skills in teaching, assessment and research in the clinical context. Participants will become skilled role models in the implementation of high quality educational environments to enhance practice for educators, students and clients.
2.  The second aim of this MSc is to advance participants’ capacity in relation to research in their chosen clinical field of specialism. There is an increased emphasis on evidence-based practice within healthcare professions. The aims of this MSc are also to develop learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use and contribute to evidence-based practice and to enable them to take a leadership role in designing and implementing research to support best practice. 

On completion of the MSc participants will be able to:

• Critically appraise, design and implement evidence based clinical teaching approaches and methods;
• Critically appraise assessment methodology and its impact on the learner and the learning environment;
• Design, implement and reflect on procedures which enhance the quality of student placements;
• Critically appraise, design and manage a piece of semi-independent research

NOTE: information on the University of Galway Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme is online here.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Course Outline

There will be five taught modules. These will include;

Educational Research

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Explain the similarities and differences between educational and healthcare research;
• Describe educational research paradigms, strategies and methods;
• Prepare a robust research proposal;
• Implement a research design;
• Analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data using appropriate techniques;
• Report and present research findings in the form of a research paper;
• Enter, manage and analyse data using SPSSS and NVivo as appropriate;
• Show due regard to research ethics;
• Critically reflect on research practice.

Clinical Teaching in SLT

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Critically appraise the stages of student learning and describe learning theories that underpin practice education;
• Critically appraise and implement best practice in student education;
• Interpret the legislation impacting student education;
• Critically appraise the existing and emerging evidence base in relation to challenges experienced on placement;
• Design, implement and reflect on procedures which enhance the quality of student placements.

 Clinical Teaching Methodologies

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Implement and evaluate effective clinical teaching using appropriate theory based techniques;
• Categorise explanation into different approaches and apply them to different educational challenges;
• Explain how to use different questioning styles to promote effective learning;
• Describe different types of feedback and explain why feedback is a vital part of the learning cycle;
• Plan, facilitate and evaluate active learning in small groups in a clinical setting;
• Plan, deliver and evaluate an effective lecture, and encourage active learning in a large group teaching setting;
• Describe what is meant by "teaching scripts" and explain why some strategies are more useful than others for teaching in particular contexts;
• Demonstrate proficiency in key clinical teaching skills such as bedside teaching, giving feedback and using questions appropriately.

Foundations of Assessment

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Situate assessment within the context of the curriculum;
• Describe the diverse purposes of assessment;
• Explain key concepts in assessment with examples from practice and/or experience;
• Critically evaluate the way in which assessment is currently used;
• Use the concept of course alignment effectively in relation to practice;
• Explain how to enhance validity in the design of assessment;
• Explain how reliability can be addressed in design and implementation of assessment;
• Draw on best practice in the design of assessment in a clinical educational setting;
• Select appropriate assessment(s) for different domains and levels of learning outcomes;
• Apply levels of proficiency at each level of Miller's triangle;
• Explain the importance of making judgements in the process of assessment;
• Explain the relevance of norm and criterion referencing to the process of assessment;
• Devise appropriate criteria for the assessment of clinical knowledge and skills;
• Explain blueprinting and apply it to their own assessment practice to assure quality.

Using Evidence in Practice

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Describe the evidence based practice resources available which are relevant for practice in the clinic, classroom and community.
• Demonstrate proficiency in turning questions into effective search strategies.
• Appraise quantitative and qualitative research literature
• Analyse and synthesise information from multiple sources to draw valid inferences about the state of knowledge in a particular field.

Module details for the full-time course

Module details for the part-time course

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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