Advanced Clinical Practice CPPD courses

These modules are designed for the allied health professional, primarily working as a specialist physiotherapist or occupational therapist, who has at least one year of post-qualification work experience.

These modules will prepare you for a leadership role in developing and improving the care and experience of service users, along with improving service provision across the range of health and care settings. They are designed to provide you with an opportunity to develop your clinical reasoning in the chosen specialist area, as well as apply current guidelines for practice. You will also have an opportunity to consider patient care approaches which are multidisciplinary.

For details regarding the content of the modules, please see the 'Find the right CPPD module for you' section on this page.

Teaching takes places across 2 terms, in line with the University calendar. The timetable of scheduled sessions for each module utilises designated days of the week for either 4 x full days, or 4-6 x half days during working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), dependent on the module.

As an associate student, you may take one 15-credit module per term. Due to COVID restrictions, teaching for the academic year 2020/21 took place online, and we anticipate that this will continue for the academic year 2021/22 as well.

A fee will be charged for each module of study.

The cost of the fee will depend on the size of the module (10 credits, 15 credits, 20 credits or 30 credits).

Please refer to the ‘Fees for Associate module students’ on this page for the latest fees.

If you choose to apply we will confirm the fee to you when we make you an offer and you will be invoiced for the fee once you enrol.

These modules are intended for practitioners in physiotherapy, occupational therapy or nursing. As such, persons interested in doing one of these modules should hold a pre-registration degree in either one of these allied health professions.

English language requirements: Whilst there is no formal English language entry criteria, because these modules are taught and assessed in English applicants should have be able to communicate fully in English to the standard of GCSE grade C (IELTS 6.5 with 6 in all skills).

To apply for these modules, please follow these steps:

1) Click the relevant apply now button on the right-hand side depending on whether you want to start in January or September.

2) After submitting your application, please fill out the Module Choice Form to select the modules you’re interested in and upload it to the my Applications portal. 

Once we have received your module choice information, we will assess your application and contact by email with the outcome of your application.

If you would like further information about any of the teaching, assessment, award of modules or the application process, please contact our Enquiries team at the email address below who can help you or direct your query to the module lead:

• Enquiries@brunel.ac.uk

If you're ready to apply, please click the relevant apply now button on this page and follow the instructions.

• Course code: PH5612
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word case-based critical reflection on clinical leadership
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module aims to develop advanced knowledge, skills, qualities and behaviours of leadership for clinical healthcare professionals working in a range of roles in healthcare settings in the NHS. This knowledge and skills literacy will nurture and enhance existing team-working skills and clinical leadership requirements in order to evidence advanced level skills.

• Course code: PH5617
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15    
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Viva voce on case study
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module will allow students to develop skills in the advanced clinical assessment of the critically ill patient, as well as a critical understanding of the acute management of critically ill patients, advanced clinical reasoning skills, human factors and non-technical skills.

The module aims to develop students critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the acute management of the critically ill patient.

• Course code: PH5650
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 2,000 word case study report (50%). 15 minute oral presentation (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to apply multi-factorial lifestyle approaches to the management of long term and chronic conditions. Students will obtain a critical understanding of behaviour change techniques, approaches to smoking cessation, and approaches to weight management. This module will promote the use of the current evidence base, current national and international guidelines, and underlying principles to develop advanced knowledge of multi-factorial management of risk factors and disease.

This module has a strong practical focus aiming to equip students with skills to translate theory to practice. Students will develop skills to apply advanced behaviour change interventions, incorporating motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy, to individuals in health and disease. They will also develop skills needed for safe and effective professional practice of dietary and physical activity management in the prevention and management of long term and chronic conditions.

• Course code: PH5616
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Written examination (2 hours)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module will allow students to develop theoretical knowledge of the anatomy and physiology underpinning critical illness, in order to profile the critical care patient. The module aims to develop students critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the critically ill patient.

This module covers:
• The respiratory system: anatomy and physiology, respiratory muscle function and assessment, lung function (flow, compliance, resistance, and volumes) and clinical lung function testing, gas exchange and gas transport, and control of breathing in health and disease.
• The cardiovascular system: structure and function, electrophysiology, control of cardiac output, tissue perfusion, control of blood pressure and cardiac reflexes. 
• The renal system: structure and function of the kidney and renal regulation.
• The neurological system: The brain and disorders of consciousness. (Additional body systems will be covered in the Rehabilitation After Critical Illness module, and The Specialist Patient modules.)

• Course code: PH5636
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word case-based critical essay
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module aims to develop advanced and critical understanding of the factors underlying challenging behaviours from early childhood to older age. This knowledge will encourage the development of advanced skills in conducting individualised, functionally-based assessments of challenging behaviours for successful monitoring and management of a person-centred and evidence-based professional practice.

• Course code: PH5633
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word case-based coursework
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module will advance practitioner's existing knowledge and skills in employed multifactorial intra- and inter-personal processes in the promotion of health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families / carers. Current working practices, nationally and internationally, will be reviewed with a focus on improving service provision for these populations.

• Course code: PH5631
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 20 minute oral presentation case study and short abstract of presentation
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
By exploring the link between theory and practice, and through critical evaluation of current evidence for the effectiveness of selected rehabilitation techniques in common use, this module aims to enhance the students’ ability to critically reflect upon their day to day practice and to objectively rationalise and justify their clinical decision making, their choice of techniques and approaches, and how to critically evaluate their effect when working with people with neurological disorders. Students will be made aware of new and current applied research in the field and be able to critically evaluate its usefulness for new and existing therapeutic procedures.

• Course code: PH5632
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word essay
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
Students will draw from their own clinical experience and practice in cognitive neurorehabilitation to explore current application of biopsychosocial models and rehabilitation guidelines. Students will undertake focused critical appraisal of research and evidence based neuropsychology for application to rehabilitation in brain injury or neurological conditions. Students will explore both barriers and opportunities related to translational clinical cognitive rehabilitation practice.

• Course code: PH5625
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 1,500 word essay around a complex case scenario (70%). Oral presentation (15 mins) (30%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module aims to develop advanced critical understanding of the current theory and science of current lower quadrant musculoskeletal practice. Students will develop advanced examination and intervention skills for the management of patients with lower limb, and lumbo-pelvic (lower quadrant) musculoskeletal condition

• Course code: PH5626
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 1,500 word essay around a complex case scenario (70%). Oral presentation (15 mins) (30%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module aims to develop students advanced critical understanding of the current theory and science of current lower quadrant musculoskeletal practice. Students will develop advanced examination and intervention skills for the management of patients with upper limb, cervical and thoracic (upper quadrant) musculoskeletal conditions.

• Course code: PH5615
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: April or September 2022, January 2023, January 2024.
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Video presentation (50%). 3,000 word portfolio of reflective practice (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc
• Apply now: Click here.

Module details:
This module aims to provide practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills for the planning, organisation, delivering, teaching and evaluation of effective programmes for clinical training in specialist practice. Current research and theory underpinning the educational process which support a challenging and supportive teaching and learning environment for clinical practice will be explored. This aims to enhance practitioners’ individual ability to critically appraise and augment their skills and knowledge and actively contribute to the education awareness for members of their healthcare team, patients, service users and carers.

• Course code: PH5629
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word case-based critical reflection on clinical leadership
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module focuses on developing and updating student’s knowledge of functional neuroscience underpinning neurorehabilitation. Students will critically evaluate neuroscientific research in health and treatment of neurological disorders. They will also explore how advances in basic and clinical neuroscience research impact on professional practice in neurorehabilitation.

• Course code: PH5642
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word critical assignment (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module will provide the students with knowledge of common pelvic health pathologies. Students will develop the assessment skills necessary to manage and rehabilitate pelvic health patients including, the obstetric, gynaecological, urology and colorectal patient.

This module will also focus on the critical appraisal of current assessment skills and techniques, working towards individual view of clinical best practice. Initial management of common pathologies will be discussed, with further critical review of the current practices.

• Course code: PH5649
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 2,500 word literature review (100%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module examines the fundamentals of prevention and rehabilitation in cardiovascular health. There will be a strong focus on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD), risk factor and the genetic determinants of CVD, medical risk factor management, CVD prevention and rehabilitation core components, motivational interviewing and behaviour change.  In addition, students will be introduced to the tools used to measure CVD risk in both primary and secondary prevention.

• Coursecode: PH5647
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Portfolio: 10 reflective case studies (50%). Practical exam (25%). Viva (25%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc. Advanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship MSc

Module details:
This is a post-registration module is aimed at physiotherapists working at an advanced level who wish to practice injection therapy. This course combines clinical and academic learning with an emphasis on the development of technical skills, clinical reasoning and critical evaluation of current research for injection therapy.

The module provides the relevant continuing professional development training of skills for physiotherapists that are necessary to meet the expectations of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy educational training for injection therapy. Click here to view a video of students on this course in action.

This module is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Pre-requisites:
• CV to be reviewed by module lead.
• Be HCPC registered.
• Have four years experience working as a qualified physiotherapist.
• Minimum of two years specialising in musculoskeletal practice.
• Provide evidence of current appropriate indemnity insurance to practise. 
• Have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and / or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of a programme, prior to commencing the programme.
• Be able to access the relevant medicines through a setting-appropriate lawful medicines framework in order to offer injection-therapy. 

• Course code: PH5639
• Module mode of attendance: Part-time
• Start date: 2021/22: 12 and 13 January, 19 and 20 March, 11 May 2022. 2022/23: 11/12 January, 11/12 March, 10 May 2023.
• Credits: 30
• Fee: UK / EU: £1,643. International: £3,000
• Assessment: VIVA presentation of a case study, logbook submission (250 cases) – included audit of cases, final assessment on placement – assessed by independent assessor.
• Full course: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound PgCert (CASE accredited for UK situational learning experiences only)

Module details:
This module aims to develop students ability to recognise pathology on imaging, report it accurately but also develop an understanding of the evidence base surrounding the impact that those sonographic findings have upon a patient pathways. Considering normal ageing changes and determining relevance of imaging findings.

A significant focus of the module will be clinical mentorship, but taught contact days to refine skills and develop an understanding of tissue appearances will be provided. Group based working, online resources and learning materials will further supplement this.

Contact details: Tara.Potier@brunel.ac.uk  /  Stuart.Wildman@brunel.ac.uk  /  Enquiries@brunel.ac.uk

• Course code: PH5643
• Module mode of attendance: Part-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word work based portfolio
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
This module will develop the practical skills for the treatment and management of the pelvic health patient (including antenatal and postnatal care, urology, gynaecology and colorectal conditions). Students will learn practical skills such as catheterisation, vaginal pessary application, exercise, manual therapy, biofeedback and electrotherapy skills.

Rehabilitation will be a large focus of this module and the focus will be on holistic patient management of pelvic floor dysfunction. Critique of the literature will be completed with in-depth evaluation on clinical effectiveness. 

• Course code: PH5630
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word essay on selected topic in rehabilitation / movement research
• Full Course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
On this module, students will develop their knowledge of clinical neurophysiology and motor control, relevant to rehabilitation of movement. This will be achieved by critical examination of key advances in research of movement disorders and neurorehabilitation, and students will explore how this research leads to advances in  clinical practice of neurorehabilitation. Key topics include rehabilitaion research for gait, upper limb plus posture and balance in a number of neurological conditions.

• Course code: PH5624
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word assignment based on a complex clinical scenario
• Full Course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details:
In this module, students will engage with contemporary pain science and up-to-date principles of management for the person in pain. The module is designed for clinicians working with people with pain in any clinical setting. It aims to improve students understanding of pain science and management and help to better embed this knowledge into everyday practice.

Students will look at the issue of pain from multiple perspectives, including knowledge from neurobiology, psychology and epidemiology and other disciplines. Throughout, there will be a focus on developing clinical skills that can be embedded into practice. 

• Course code: PH5637
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word essay
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
The aim of this module is to provide knowledge and skills in palliative and end-of-life care from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Key module aims include:
• Developing specialist knowledge in the state of the art for palliative and end-of-life care to enable working in multiple healthcare settings, meeting a range of patient/service user needs.
• Developing an understanding of the dynamics of inter-professional practice and learn skills to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Developing the ability to monitor and assess care delivery and outcomes together with professional colleagues, service users, and carers.
• Applying evidence-based approaches to care and evaluation of that care.
• Building leadership skills to advance policy and practice and to contribute to ongoing improvement in health care at the end-of-life.

• Course code: PH5604
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 500 word assignment (50%). 1.5hr MCQ examination (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
Qualitative research is focused on understanding the depth and complexity of human experience. In health research, it's often used to explore how people experience conditions and interventions, and investigate behaviours including that of health professionals. Through prioritising the voice of those who are within health care, as patients, carers and/or professionals, it has a valuable role to play in service evaluation, development and quality improvement.

There are many theoretical traditions that underpin qualitative research and methods for gathering and analysing data. Rigour in process is a core feature of all. In this module, students will be introduced to some of these background theories and approaches, the key methods used, techniques of analysis and necessary ethical considerations. Opportunity to do data collection and analysis will be included as well as considering ‘quality’ in qualitative papers and important considerations when planning a qualitative research project.

• Course code: PH5603
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Written examination (2 hours)
• Full dourse: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
This module will critically explore, reflect and develop students' understanding of statistical approaches to the analysis of quantitative data in health science research. Students will gain practical skills in analysing key research designs using standard statistical software package appropriate to biomedical and health research (University supported package).

The module aims to explain observational and interventional study designs and discuss the use of appropriate measures of health, relative and absolute risk, and treatment effectiveness for each design. Students will critically evaluate quantitative research to inform evidence based practice in health sciences.

• Course code: PH5651
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 2,000 word reflective essay (50%). 2,000 word essay-portfolio (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
This module aims to develop students’ reflective skills both in application of their learning to their own patient care and through observations of current preventive and rehabilitation practice. This module requires students to visit a range of relevant areas delivering prevention and rehabilitation services in chronic disease management. The student culminates these visits in the form of a reflective practice portfolio. Development of skills to critique and evaluate different clinical interventions and hence identify recommendations for improving or changing practice to is core to this module. 

• Course code: PH5618
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word critical appraisal essay
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
This module will allow students to develop theoretical knowledge and critical understanding of the physiological processes underpinning chronic critical illness, including the neuromuscular effects of critical illness, the effect on the respiratory system and weaning from mechanical ventilation, and psychological consequences of critical illness.  In addition, students will develop a critical understanding of early mobilisation strategies, rehabilitation interventions, and outcome measurement in critical care; as well as the importance of inter-disciplinary working and a long term follow up.

Students will also develop analytical clinical assessment and reasoning skills in the treatment of impairment, disability and participation from the intensive care unit through to the community setting. The module aims to develop students critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the rehabilitation and recovery of the critically ill patient. 

• Course code: PH5648
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 15 minute case presentation (50%). 2,000 word review (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
This module examines the science underpinning effective rehabilitation and exercise prescription. There will be a focus on the science of strength and conditioning, physiological adaptation to exercise in multiple systems and motor learning. This will include principles of exercise dosing and the evidence underpinning the effectiveness of approaches to exercise prescription in both prevention and rehabilitation of long-term conditions and non-communicable diseases.

Students will be introduced to the tools used to measure various aspects of movement and performance. The module will consider the full spectrum of activity from the inactive to the higher functioning individual. 

• Course code: PH5619
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: January
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: 3,000 word case study report (80%). 15 minute presentation (20%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
This module will allow students to develop theoretical knowledge of specialist ICU populations. They will gain knowledge and understanding of the specific pathophysiological processes of trauma, burns, spinal cord injury (SCI), brain injury, liver and transplant, cardiothoracics, HIV / oncology, and the complex medical surgical population. 

In addition, students will develop analytical, clinical assessment and reasoning skills in the management of these populations, with particular focus on the specialist components of assessment, rehabilitation and care. The module aims to develop students critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the management of these specialist groups.

• Course code: PH5641
• Module mode of attendance: Full-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Work-based learning portfolio (pass / fail). Case presentation (100%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc. Advanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship MSc

Module details: 
The NHS, public health and social care system and the delivery of prevention, treatment and care will continue to change over the coming years. An increased focus on managing complex co-morbidities will place a greater emphasis on the skills of the generalist as will the move towards increased care provision outside of dedicated care settings and professional boundaries.

An increase in the demand for Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner roles is occurring to address complex MSK patients, both within secondary and primary are settings. This module has been developed to address the learning needs of these clinicians who otherwise struggle to get the training they need to fulfil their roles.

Pre-requisites:
• CV to be reviewed. 
• Be HCPC registered.
• Have four years experience working as a qualified physiotherapist.
• Minimum of two years specialising in musculoskeletal practice.
• Have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and / or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of a programme, prior to commencing the programme.

• Course code: PH5652
• Module mode of attendance: Part-time
• Start date: September
• Credits: 15
• Fee: Fees for associate module students
• Assessment: Oral case study presentation (50%). 3,000 word work based portfolio (50%)
• Full course: Advanced Clinical Practice (all specialist pathways) PgCert, PgDip and MSc

Module details: 
The aim of this module is to give students an overview into the change of clinical practice when moving from a physiotherapy post in to an extended scope/advanced physiotherapy practitioner position.
This module is aimed at Physiotherapists who have already started or are looking to start a role as an Extended Scope Physiotherapist / Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. 

Pre-requisites:
• CV to be reviewed. 
• Be HCPC registered.
• Have four years experience working as a qualified physiotherapist.
• Minimum of two years specialising in musculoskeletal practice.
• Have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and / or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of a programme, prior to commencing the programme.