Text Size

MSc in Regional Anaesthesia

The first UK-based MSc in Regional Anaesthesia!onlinemastersdegree

The Faculty of Health at the University of East Anglia is developing this MSc in RA. It will be launched on 3rd September 2012, and you’ll see our adverts in various journals and websites from February 2012.

What’s this all about?

Our survey has shown substantial need and support for the idea of a higher qualification in regional anaesthesia, the biggest and most popular sub-speciality in anaesthesia. But the problem for modern students is a lack of time. Therefore, we are developing a distance e-learning degree course that offers students a high standard of teaching along with the flexibility they require, while also taking into account the requirements of the EWTD and MMC.

The course itself

Our course, currently in the late stages of development, offers both a theoretical and a practical side.It is being designed to reward students stepwise over a proposed 2-year study period.

  • The course comprises 6 compulsory modules.
  • On completion of the first 4 modules, students will receive a certificate, after 6 modules a diploma, and after acceptance of a research dissertation, the MSc degree.
  • Each module will last 16 weeks and will offer students 35 hours of e-tutoring within an estimated 165 hours of reading and research required.
  • Topics covered will include anatomy, pharmacology, neurophysiology, methodology, clinical governance and anaesthesia in various sub-specialities and special situations.
  • There will be a standard bi-weekly format, with tests at the end of each 2-week period involving MCQs, EMQs and/or script concordance methods.


The practical side of the course is being finalised in conjunction with RA-UK. We aim to train students to a high standard in performing the basic blocks and prepare them for a practical examination that will take place at the end of the theory course. We will also aim to have in place practical learning objectives for common blocks, a description of the range of competencies required by students, and clearly defined problem-based assessments. The methods of assessment will be clearly described, and the delivery of training will follow an integrated pattern as part of the theory.


The heart of the course will be the e-learning hub – a virtual reality environment (VRE) within which all the learning and forum discussions will take place. The VRE will provide a repository for all students’ training needs, from access to directed reading, to feedback from course tutors. It will allow students great flexibility to progress in a goal-directed way when they themselves have the time to study. Problem-based learning scenarios will encourage students to identify learning objectives through researching the literature, ensuring that theory and practice are soundly evidence-based on strong scientific principles. Students will receive adequate mentoring support, both online and locally, from the time of enrolment until they complete their research project.

‘Added extras’

The online format will ensure that the course is ‘visually rich’ and will offer students the opportunity to join a Video Club. Through this, experts can offer feedback on problems encountered, or rare anatomical variations (as an example) could be shared with the faculty.
Innovations include a ‘Student Wiki’ in which students will share information and scientific papers. There will be continual assessments of forum activity by faculty, and, judging from other successful UEA Master’s courses, the level of debate will prove exceptionally stimulating for students and faculty alike!


If you are interested in this MSc, why not join our ‘Junior Fold’? This group of prospective students is playing an active role in designing the format and course material, and is keeping the faculty on its toes to keep improving the course.

Entry requirements

  • Entry is available for St4 (CT4) or above – post FRCA or the equivalent.

MScPicWhat to do next

Look out for our first adverts in February 2012. In the meantime, if you have any enquiries, please get in touch with either Dr Stef Oosthuysen or Dr Mike Hudspith, the Co-leaders, via the contact details below.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Dr Stef Oosthuysen or Dr Mike Hudspith
(Co-leaders and Honorary Senior Lecturers at the UEA, and Consultant Anaesthetists at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital)
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Colney Lane
Norwich NR4 7UY


Cell: 07900 213720
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it