Respiratory Medicine

Module Aims
Establish an understanding of Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology and apply this to the clinical assessment and investigation of common respiratory symptoms.

Module Content

• Impact, burden and epidemiology of Lung diseases
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory systems
• Clinical Assessment and Clinical Examination
• Breathlessness and Wheeze, Cough and Sputum.
• Spirometry
• Other Respiratory Investigations (X-rays, blood tests and more complex lung function tests).

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the impact of respiratory disease on society and the importance of epidemiology in the diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of anatomy and the physiology of the respiratory system and relevance to the pathophysiology of respiratory disorders.
3. Compare and contrast the range of presenting symptoms in respiratory disease and how they are investigated.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth understanding of Asthma and Allergy and its impact on patient life.

Module Content

• Asthma Diagnosis and Investigation
• Allergy and anaphylaxis
• Pharmacological management
• Non-pharmacological / self-management
• Co-morbidities (obesity, OSA, bronchiectasis, rhinitis, depression)
• Difficult Asthma

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify common causes of allergy and anaphylaxis, their investigation and treatment.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and management of Asthma
3. Appreciate the role of co-morbidities and their relationship to difficult asthma
4. Formulate a coherent approach for assessing, investigating and managing patients with difficult asthma

Module Aims
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with COPD.

Module Content

• Early and accurate diagnosis
• Pharmacological management (including oxygen therapy)
• Non-pharmacological management (smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation and assisted technology)
• Management of exacerbations (acute and chronic, ICS debate, NIV, ceiling of treatment)
• Co-morbidities (osteoporosis, heart disease and depression)
• End of life care, palliative care and advance care planning

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline a robust approach to the diagnosis and investigation of patients with COPD
2. Compare and contrast pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in COPD, focusing on their strengths and limitations
3. Recognise the importance of exacerbations and co-morbidities in COPD and their effects on patient morbidity and mortality
4. Critically evaluate the role of palliative and end of life care in COPD, focusing on strengths and weakness of services in their locality

Module Aims
Develop an in-depth understanding of the presentation, investigation and management of thoracic malignancy and pleural disease

Module Content

• Lung cancer – screening, red flags, solitary pulmonary nodules
• Lung cancer – diagnosis and staging
• Lung cancer - treatments
• Asbestos related pleural disease
• Pleural effusion and pneumothorax
• The interface and ethics (MDT, working across boundaries, communicating difficult diagnoses, when to stop treatment)

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate screening programmes, diagnostic investigations and treatments in lung cancer
2. Formulate a robust approach for investigating and treating patients with pleural disease
3. Justify the role of the multidisciplinary team in the management of malignant and non-malignant respiratory disease

Module Aims
Develop a comprehensive understanding of pulmonary infection, its investigation and management

Module Content

• Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease
• Pneumonia (including community acquired and hospital acquired)
• Respiratory tract infection (bronchitis, URTI, bronchiolitis)
• Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
• Infections in the immunocompromised patient (HIV, immunomodulatory drugs, atypical infections)
• Antibiotic guardianship

Learning Outcomes

1. Contrast the presentation, diagnosis and management of different respiratory pathogens
2. Demonstrate an understanding of antimicrobial side effects and resistance, and the importance of antibiotic guardianship
3. Describe the role of more rare pathogens in immunosuppressed patients and develop a robust approach to diagnosing such infections

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease and conditions resulting in respiratory failure

Module Content

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Other interstitial lung diseases
• Venous thromboembolic disease and pulmonary vascular disease
• Lung disease in my environment (occupational lung disease, children, flying and diving, dysfunctional breathing)
• Lungs at the extremes (age, obesity, illegal drugs)
• Sleep disordered breathing and ventilatory failure

Learning Outcomes

1. Compare and contrast the presentation, investigation and management of interstitial and pulmonary vascular disease
2. Outline and differentiate conditions that lead to ventilatory failure, including sleep disordered breathing
3. Outline and differentiate respiratory conditions that pertain to a particular environment or country

Module Aims
To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to respiratory medicine research.

Module Content

• Basic terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
• Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
• Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
• Basic statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square.
• Methodologies as applied to respiratory medicine research.
• Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
• Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
• Research into educational principles for both health care practitioner and patient.
• Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.

Learning Outcomes

1. Interpret research in respiratory medicine.
2. Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development.
3. Implement evidence-based practice into care.

Module Aims

• To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
• To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
• To develop skills in independent research and study.
• To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.

Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

• Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
• Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Produce an extensive piece of literature, which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
2. Demonstrate an ability to recognise and implement good practice.
3. Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements for change.
4. Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.