About This Course

The Professional Doctorate as a distanced learning pathway with e-learning modules seeks to offer an alternative route for advanced practitioners in the UK and overseas to gain an applied doctoral-level qualification and consolidate both their learning and expertise, as well as gain new insights and theoretical perspectives. It builds on contemporary research evidence underpinning applied practice, health behaviour and health related policy in relation to dementia care from the disciplines of mental health and health and social care management.

The Professional Doctorate is aligned with contemporary UK and Wales-based policy imperatives guiding the development of dementia care and responds to the educational requirements of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and other NHS organisations in the UK. The Professional Doctorate provides a distanced learning pathway with e-learning modules and access to the Research Summer School to provide a flexible mode of learning, involving partnership with the student’s host organisation. It also provides a range of exit awards that provide opportunities for tailoring a bespoke programme of postgraduate education for clinicians and those seeking development towards the Professional Doctorate.

Main aims of the programme:

To provide students with a rigorous framework for the development and synthesis of empirical, professional and organisational knowledge linked to ageing and dementia as the basis for the development of enhanced health and social care services.

Intended programme outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding

An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specific issues at the forefront of theory and practice in students’ professional fields linked to ageing and dementia that enables them to critically evaluate research and provide possible alternative hypotheses.
A comprehensive understanding of relevant research and scholarly approaches applicable to practice and service improvement linked to ageing and dementia, with an informed knowledge of how the results of this application may improve health and social care practice and develop research ideas/policy.
The intellectual capability to advance practice through research and scholarly activity.

Subject-specific skills

Effectively articulate the concepts and the context of their professional work.
Select appropriate methods for advancing thinking within the context of health and social care practice and services linked to ageing and dementia.
Demonstrate the skills necessary for planning practice and service improvement activities, monitoring implementation activity and evaluating impact linked to ageing and dementia.
Acquire the transferable skills and qualifications relevant to progress towards their proposed career pathway.
Effectively articulate the concepts and the context of their work linked to ageing and dementia.
Resolve complex organisational and practice issues within the context of the workplace, taking into consideration budgetary, political, strategic, ethical and social issues linked to ageing and dementia.

Cognitive (thinking) skills

Provide a level of critical thinking that develops and advances new ideas
Demonstrate an ability to conduct a critical enquiry synthesising theoretical, empirical, professional and ethical perspectives.