Rheumatology Nursing – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The main academic venue for this course will be the Staffordshire Rheumatology Centre at the Haywood Hospital in Stoke. Courses will be taught through a mixture of lectures, interactive tutorials, problem-based learning, workshops, formal presentations and guided study. Written handout and visual aids will be used throughout the course.

All students will be required to undertake a period of private study, equivalent to an average of
eight hours a week.

Course preparation and study for assessment requirements will be made explicit throughout.

Modules

The course content has been developed in the light of feedback from rheumatology nurses practising in the UK.

Year 1

Module 1: An Introduction to Clinical Effectiveness in Rheumatology Nursing Structure: One 5-day block
1 day (Presentations)
Credit value: 15
An essential component of advanced nursing practice is the implementation of evidence-based practice. This constitutes one of the cornerstones of clinical effectiveness.

Many rheumatology nurses practising at an advanced level have had few opportunities to explore the evidence base underlying their discipline. This module seeks to address this gap and to provide the student with an understanding of how to appraise clinical evidence. This module will form an essential foundation for the rest of the course. Students will develop skills in literature reviews, in understanding statistical principles and will gain a practical insight into the research process.

Module 2: Physical Assessment in Rheumatology Nursing
Structure: One 3-day block plus one 2-day block
1 day (OSCE)
Credit value: 15
Many rheumatology nurses are involved in conducting their own clinics for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This module will provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to undertake a clinical assessment and examination of the shoulder, knee and hand complexes in patients with rheumatological disorders. It will also provide students with the ability to develop management plans based on the clinical findings.

Module 3: Drug Therapy in Rheumatological Practice
Structure: Three blocks of 3 days
Credit value: 30
This module is aimed at increasing the student’s knowledge of anti-rheumatic drugs, their side effects and the basis for their use in clinical practice. It will also develop the skills of the student in the interpretation of results of investigations commonly performed in patients taking antirheumatic drugs.

Year 2

Module 4: Psychological and Social Aspects of Care in Rheumatological Practice
Structure: One 5-day block (4 days at Stoke plus 1-day private study at home)
Credit value: 15
This module will examine the effects that rheumatological illness can have on psychological and social functioning. This is a complex multifarious area and the module will address both the wider implications e.g. health policy alongside the specific influences on psychological well-being e.g. social support. The intention of the module is to enable the student to incorporate theoretical understanding into clinical application.

Module 5: Clinical Leadership
Structure: One 4 day-block (3-days at Stoke plus 1-day private study at home)
Credit value: 15
Many rheumatology nurses working at an advanced clinical level will be acting as role models, supporting junior colleagues. This module will explore the evidence base that promotes effective clinical leadership whilst developing the student’s knowledge and skills to lead a clinical team.

The student can choose from one of the two optional modules (6A or 6B). Modules will only run if there are sufficient student numbers.

Module 6A: Physical Assessment (Optional Module)
Structure: One 3-day block plus one 2-day block
1 day (OSCE)
Credit value: 15
Many rheumatology nurses are involved in conducting their own clinics for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This module will provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to undertake a clinical assessment and examination of the spine, pelvis and feet complexes in patients with rheumatological disorders. It will also provide students with the ability to develop management plans based on the clinical findings.

Module 6B: Principles and Practice of Joint and Soft Tissue Injection (Optional Module)
Structure: 5 days (over two blocks)
Credit value: 15
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the use of injections in the management of joint and soft tissue pathology and to develop professional responsibility towards injection practice. It will provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to administer IA injections.

Module 7: Research
Structure: One 5-day block
Credit value: 15
This module will enable the student to examine the processes involved in designing a research proposal and provide the opportunity to examine outcome measures and their relevance to clinical practice.

Year 3

Masters Option
Credit value: 60
15,000-word research project dissertation (60 credits).

The student will be asked to identify a supervisor locally.

The course will provide several plenary content days at which students will present and discuss their work, the opportunity for one-to-one contact with course tutors (face-to-face, by phone or email) and advice on written work.