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Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety (MSc, PG Dip Sc.)

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Course Overview

Healthcare simulation education and patient safety is a bridge between classroom learning and real-life experience. There has been a lack of education and training in how simulation can be used to educate healthcare practitioners or incorporated into existing educational programmes. The main goal of these postgraduate science qualifications in Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety is to prepare the student to design and deliver effective healthcare simulation education and patient safety.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.

Who Teaches this Course

Paul O'Connor, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Dr Dara Byrne, FRCSI MCh MEd CHSE

There are a number of guest lecturers on the programme from medical, nursing, technology & gaming, business and simulation backgrounds including:

  • Ms Brenda Romero game designer at Romero Games
  • Ms. Mairin Murray digital learning technologist
  • Mr. Graham Whiteside nurse and VP sales and marketing at SIMnext 
  • Ms Muriosa O Reilly academic affairs manager ICGP
  • Ms Tara Ryan Procurement Officer NUI Galway
  • Ms Bronwyn Reid McDermott simulation operatives technician NUI Galway
  • Ms Leonie Heskin Surgical Simulation Lecturer RCSI

Requirements and Assessment

Postgraduate Diploma Science Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

  • An honours Bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8
  • Demonstrated interest in simulation
  • Demonstrated proficiency in English - English competency IELTS score of 6.5 or similar
  • Previous experience or academic qualification

Masters of Science Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

  • An honours Bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8
  • Demonstrated interest in simulation
  • Demonstrated proficiency in English- English competency IELTS score of 6.5 or similar
  • Previous experience or academic qualification

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

An honours Bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8 in a relevant healthcare discipline (e.g., medicine, nursing, speech and language therapy, pharmacy), although applicants with evidence of at least three years’ equivalent professional/academic experience will be considered (e.g., Emergency Medicine Technicians, simulation technicians). Demonstrated proficiency in English. Previous experience, or an academic qualification, in the education and teaching of healthcare professionals. Demonstrated interest in simulation.

Additional Requirements

Duration

MSc 24 months; PDipSc 12 months

Next start date

September 2018. Please note places are limited and will be assessed and awarded on merit.

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20

Closing Date

Please refer to the review/closing date website.

Next start date

September 2018. Please note places are limited and will be assessed and awarded on merit.

NFQ level

Mode of study

The course is delivered as much as possible online. This delivery method allows the student to study at a time that is convenient to them, no matter where they live. The modules are delivered using a combination of multi-media presentations, online discussion boards, and online tutorials. As part of the programme, there are 2 weekend intensive immersive simulation workshops held at the Irish Centre for Applied Patient Safety and Simulation (ICAPSS) at Galway University Hospital.

ECTS weighting

MSC 120 ECTS; PDipSc 60 ECTS

Award

CAO

PAC code

GYM77 (MSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety)
GYM76 (PDipSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety)

Course Outline

PG Dip Sc. Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

The course will be delivered in six sequential modules during the academic year.

  • Module 1. An introduction to simulation and training in healthcare.
  • Module 2. Simulation with manikin and task based trainers.
  • Module 3. Standardised patients, virtual patients, and hybrid simulation.
  • Module 4. Running an effective simulation-based education programme.
  • Module 5. Human factors and patient safety in simulation.
  • Module 6. Uses of medical and healthcare simulation beyond education

The course will be assessed through:

-       participation in online discussions with instructors and students; and

-       completion of practically-focused assignments (both written and online narrated presentations).

MSc. Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

  • Modules 1 to 6 will be delivered during the first academic year. Modules 7 and 8 will be delivered during the second academic year of study.
  • Module 1. An introduction to simulation and training in healthcare.
  • Module 2. Simulation with manikin and task based trainers.
  • Module 3. Standardised patients, virtual patients, and hybrid simulation.
  • Module 4. Running an effective simulation-based education programme.
  • Module 5. Human factors and patient safety in simulation.
  • Module 6. Uses of medical and healthcare simulation beyond education
  • Module 7. Research Methods for Medical and Healthcare Simulation.
  • Module 8. Research Thesis.

The course will be assessed through:

-       participation in online discussions with instructors and students;

-       completion of practically-focused assignments (both written and online narrated presentations); and

-       completion of a simulation focused research project to be submitted in the format of a journal article.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

In the last decade, there have been large changes in: under-graduate healthcare education, postgraduate healthcare education, delivery of healthcare, and the working environment. These changes have led to a large investment in simulation centres nationally and internationally. A postgraduate of science qualification in Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety will provide the student with the expertise required to deliver simulation-based education in undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare teaching environments.

Who’s Suited to This Course

If you are a doctor, nurse, allied health professional (e.g. speech and language, pharmacy, physiotherapy), paramedic or dentist and have an interest in simulation technology, you should consider applying for one of our simulation programmes.

Learning Outcomes

PDipSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

The main goal of the PDipSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety is to prepare the student to run a simulation centre and use simulation for research, improving patient safety, testing equipment and processes, and integrating simulation into institutional healthcare training, education and delivery systems.

MSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

Completing a MSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety will prepare the student to deliver healthcare simulation, run a healthcare simulation centre, and carry out research on or using healthcare simulation. 

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€

EU Fees:
GYM77—Masters—€5,000 p.a. (€10,000 for 24 month programme)
GYM76—PDip—€5,000 (12 month duration)

NON EU Fees:  International Students:
GYM77—Masters—€6,875 p.a. (€13,750 for 24 month programme)
GYM76—PDip—€6,875 (12 month duration)



Find out More

Paul O’Connor
T: +353 91 492 897
E: paul.oconnor@nuigalway.ie
www.simulationmasters.com/

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