MSc Diabetes

Introduction
THIS COURSE IS FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PHARMACISTS, NURSES AND DOCTORS.

Entry Requirements
An honours degree or equivalent in a health or health-related discipline with an involvement in diabetes care.

Duration
MSc: 1 year full-time/
2-7 years part-time

PgDip: 1 year full-time/ 2-5 years part-time

Outcomes
PgCert/PgDip/MSc

Funding Information for International Students
Visit the International section of the website

Course Fees
Visit the Fees section of the website

Sources of Funding
Visit the funding section of the website

Attendance/Location
By attendance at QMU, by distance learning, or a mix of both.

Description
Diabetes is becoming an increasingly common condition amongst every population group, both in the developed and developing countries. It has a major impact on the physical, psychological and general wellbeing of individuals and their families. It can lead to disabilities, for example blindness, chronic morbidity and mortality through heart disease, stroke and renal failure. Yet, there is evidence that effective treatment can increase life expectancy, reduce the risk of complications and even delay or prevent onset.

This course will prepare you to take an evidence-based approach to diabetic care and will allow you to specialise in an area of your choice. It has been developed with clinical colleagues and blends the theoretical perspectives with practicalities of implementing an effective diabetic care programme. This course emphasises the effective use of multidisciplinary teams in problem solving and patient care.

Structure
This course is modular and can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. It can be studied entirely at QMU, entirely by distance learning, or a mix of both for your convenience. Studying full-time, you will normally undertake four modules in semester one and four modules in semester two, and complete a dissertation (MSc only).

Students attend hospital visits with consultant physicians, consultant surgeons and other diabetes specialists. The part-time route is more flexible. The course is based at QMU, but there is opportunity to study the international dimension of diabetes and apply the principles to care in developing countries.

Course Covers
- Clinical advances in diabetes
- Pharmacology and immunology of diabetes
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional management of diabetes
- Evidence-based practice
- Promoting health through the diabetes team
- Psychology

Core modules:
- Evaluation of diabetes and developing practice
- Health psychology and diabetes
- Prevention and management of diabetes complications
- Management of diabetes care services

Elective modules may include:
- Tissue visibility
- Evidence-based practice

Plus
- Dissertation (MSc only)

Careers
Career prospects on completion of the course are likely to be within specialist teams, either within the acute or primary care sector. Opportunities also exist internationally. The new Diabetes National Service Framework Standards, will also influence
the services provided to diabetics. Graduates of this course will be in an excellent position to lead specialist multi-professional teams. There will also be opportunities in education and pharmaceutical industries. Graduates may also like to apply for study at higher degree (MPhil or PhD).

Associate Student
You can also register as an associate student to study single modules in areas of interest.

Case Studies/Student Comments

Muhammad Asadullah Siddiqui
MSc Diabetes

Before coming to QMU, I had studied and worked in my home country of Pakistan. I went to the University of Karachi, where I did a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). My first job on graduation was as House Officer (Medicine/Surgery) at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi. After that, I worked as a Medical Officer at Sheheryar Hospital, then as a Resident Medical Officer at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. In September 2006, I moved to the UK and studied for a PgDip Health Care Management at the College of Professional and Management Studies, Essex. I came to QMU in October 2007 to begin a MSc Diabetes.
Throughout my clinical experience at the tertiary centre, I was fortunate to be able to provide for many needs and I have continually experienced the fulfilment that comes from working to help others improve in their understanding and skill.
My experience of working in a hospital convinced me of the fundamental importance of achieving optimal congruence between what clinicians must do in practice and the learning that must be fostered in their clinical practice. To this end, I have attempted to become involved as a learner at every level of health science education and to continually strive through educational innovation to improve the clinical practice. I kept up-to-date with the latest research and work in medicine, especially diabetes and cardiology, by reading online versions of different journals and also attending different seminars & workshops. I realised that, as a clinician, I could provide services to the limited population but, in contrast as a researcher, I could serve for a wider population. Due to my lack of research knowledge and skills, I decided to get advanced research-based knowledge in the field of medicine and I decided to go to QMU.
I decided to come to Edinburgh as it is one of the most beautiful, exciting and developed city which is famous for postgraduate medical education all over the world especially QMU. And, after getting a qualification from QMU, I believe that many jobs and career opportunities will open for me.
Quarterly planned workshops and lectures from NHS consultants and management care personnel was an excellent part of the course and enabled me to get involved in latest practice and developments in the healthcare system.
On the course I gained advanced research-based knowledge from a variety of modules: diabetes health psychology, research methods, health care management, evaluation of diabetes and developing practice and complication of diabetes. I also used Excel 2007, SPSS v. 16.1 and Revman 5.0 for statistical analysis of data in trials and meta-analysis. After the completion of research modules and metanalysis, I had a greater understanding of randomised control trials, ICH-GCP requirements, ethical approval and protocol requirements for conducting trials.

I owe much gratitude to Dr Thomas Carline, my supervisor and programme leader, for his support and advice during course work and planning, searching and analysis of the data for master dissertation. Queen Margaret University on the whole was very supportive and encouraging throughout MSc programme.

I am now studying for a PhD at QMU - my research title is The Role of haematological markers and factors in predicting fistula maturation in diabetic patients with renal failure: An Exploratory Study".

International Job Opportunities
Outwith the UK, graduates of this course have gone on to promote the health, nutrition and welfare of patients in less developed countries. Our MSc Diabetes course aims to develop the scientific basis for improvement in diabetes clinical practice and public health using robust epidemological, laboratory and social science methodologies. Graduates of this course have also like to apply for study at higher degree (MPhil or PhD).

For more information, please contact
Dr Tom Carline , +44 (0)131 474 0000
tcarline@qmu.ac.uk

Academic Disabled Student Co-ordinator
Dr Thomas Carline , +44 (0)131 474 0000
tcarline@qmu.ac.uk

Further contact
Admissions, +44 (0)131 474 0000 , admissions@qmu.ac.uk

further information: Admissions 0131 474 0000 admissions@qmu.ac.uk » how to apply

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