Overview

This programme enables practitioners to gain a formally recognised standard of competence in diabetes.

It is taught and run by advanced clinicians, allied health professionals, and service improvement specialists. It is designed for General Practitioners, Nurse Specialists and other medical professionals working in the specialty clinical environment.

The structure of the programme is specifically designed to encourage the development of the specialist practitioner role, by encouraging collaborative clinical work-based training between the practitioner and the clinical mentor.

The emphasis is on critical thinking, reflective learning and the practice of evidence-based medicine. Students are enabled to directly apply their learning to their current and future roles.

This programme is delivered at The Ridge Medical Practice.

Once you achieve the Postgraduate Diploma you can progress onto an MSc award by completing a final 60 credit Clinical Management Project at the University of Bradford, giving you an MSc in Diabetes for Practitioners with a Special Interest.

Learning and assessment

A variety of teaching methods are employed in the programme to enable students to fulfil the varied modular learning outcomes.

Face-to-face tuition: this occurs at the beginning of each module in Bradford. Tutors are available by email if required during placement periods to handle learning queries. Tutors are clinical practitioners (consultant specialists and PwSIs).

Work-based learning: this forms the central part of the programme of study, in the form of clinical placements - each six month module should contain at least 14 weeks of hands-on practical study in a secondary care environment. This learning is undertaken on placement in the locality, under the supervision of a clinical mentor. Students approach the mentor in the first instance: they must be a GMC registered consultant/Advanced clinician in whose name appears on a national register of practitioners, and who has teaching experience. The clinical mentor will receive a specific Mentor Guide including advice and support from the course management team in fulfilling the role of mentor.

Guided reading (given by tutor and mentor): this complements the placement and enables you to fulfil the theoretical background necessary for your placement activities, and prepares you for your written and presentational assignments. e-learning: the virtual learning environment gives access to the peer group and tutors during placement, facilitating learning through clinical discussion, as well as providing support.

Career prospects

Achievement of the qualification can provide new employment opportunities and promotions.