General and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery MCh

This Course develops your specialist expertise within general and oncoplastic breast surgery at postgraduate level.

Course details

Delivered with support from consultants in general and oncoplastic breast surgery, this course is aimed at qualified doctors working within general or oncoplastic breast surgery who wish to gain a postgraduate qualification. You develop your understanding of the concepts and principles underpinning the care of patients undergoing general or oncoplastic breast surgery, as well as your ability to find, critically evaluate and apply relevant research evidence to ensure it is clinically effective. 

The knowledge and skills you develop enhance your clinical decision making and research practice within general and oncoplastic breast surgery, enabling you to contribute to the knowledge base. You are encouraged to focus on topical issues within oncoplastic breast surgery practice, concentrating on aspects of practice that are relevant to your specific interests and practice. The course can be undertaken over one year full time or two years part time.

You develop your understanding of the concepts and principles underpinning the care of patients undergoing breast surgery. You advance your ability to find, critically evaluate and apply relevant research evidence to ensure it is both clinically and cost effective. The knowledge and skills you develop enhance your clinical decision-making and research practice within oncoplastic breast surgery, enabling you to contribute to the knowledge base. You are encouraged to focus on topical issues within current oncoplastic breast surgery practice and concentrate on aspects of practice that are particularly relevant to your specific interests and practice.

What you study

You develop:

• an understanding of the principles and clinical concepts underpinning practice in general (including emergency general surgery) and oncoplastic breast surgery
• the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to perform evidence-based practice and research within the specialist field of oncoplastic breast surgery
• a commitment to lifelong learning and an inquisitive approach to clinical practice in general (emergency) and oncoplastic breast surgery that enables you to acquire the skills to practice safely.

Where you study

You study at Teesside University main campus for the majority of modules.

Delivery of the Clinical module is mainly at James Cook University Hospital with some sessions at other local trusts.

Course structure

Core modules

• Developing Research Projects
• Evidence-based Practice
• General and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
• Practical Statistics

and one optional module

• Dissertation and Research Article

 Modules offered may vary.

Teaching

Where you study

You study at Teesside University main campus for the majority of modules.

Delivery of the Clinical module is mainly at James Cook University Hospital with some sessions at other local trusts.

How you are assessed

Summative assessment methods utilise a range of approaches such as: written report, computer based statistics exam, statistics mini project, statistical analysis, written research proposal, oral and written exam, essay, improvement proposal, research project, dissertation thesis and journal article for publication. You receive formative feedback on your progress for all modules throughout the course. Feedback is provided electronically for all assessed work through the student intranet. 

Work Placement

Full time students have the opportunity to undertake and optional observational experience within a clinical setting. A clinical adviser devises and individualised plan for each student which is detailed in a learning contract. Observational opportunities are spread across the course and include a range of relevant activities. They may take place at any of the local NHS trust sites and you are expected to cover any associated travel costs.

How you learn

You learn through lectures, seminars, practical activities, clinical simulation, computer lab work and group work. The majority of teaching is delivered by principal and senior lecturers at Teesside University. The specialist module is delivered by appropriately qualified clinical staff including consultants in general and oncoplastic breast surgery.

Full time students study across two days a week and are expected to devote the remaining time to individual study including the optional observational experience.

Part time students have the option to undertake most sessions by attendance, distance or flexible learning but attendance for the specialist module is compulsory and this is scheduled for approximately one day a month across the first year of the course.

Employability

Career opportunities

The course supports your career development by enhancing the research, evidence based practice skills and principles underpinning specialist clinical practice that are required within the specialist field of general and oncoplastic breast surgery. It provides an additional masters level qualification that may be used to support career progression. Engaging in research and a record of publication are important aspects in career progression if you are aiming to achieve a consultant position. Providing an opportunity to develop your research skills and to support you in preparing your work for publication is an important element of the course.

Visit the General and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery MCh page on the Teesside University website for more details!