Programme Structure

The programme follows a modular structure and students are able to complete either the Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Diagnostics (PGCert MSK US Diagnostics) or the Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Injection Therapy (PGCert MSK US Injection Therapy).

Each Postgraduate Certificate consists of two 30 credit (Level 7) modules.

If both the PGCert MSK US Diagnostics and the PGCert MSK US Injection Therapy are completed the student is awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography (PGDip MSK US).

Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Diagnostics (PGCert MSK US Diagnostics)

This programme consists of 2 core modules each worth 30 credits (level 7).

Module 1 (PT7159) consists of a mixture of lectures and practical teaching sessions which including a review of the physics and underlying scientific principles of ultrasound instrumentation and image acquisition. Emphasis is also given on practical training enabling students to build a sound anatomical knowledge and the motor skills required to obtain high quality ultrasound images in both the upper and lower limbs of healthy adults. Lectures also cover a variety of commonly seen pathologies within the context of musculoskeletal medicine. Teaching consists of 2 blocks, block 1 of 3 days and block 2 of 2 days. Teaching takes place at the University of East London Stratford Campus.

Module 2 (PT7160) is predominantly work-based and needs to be completed following Module 1. In addition to the work-based placement students have 2-days of further taught lectures and practical sessions. Prior to enrolment onto Module 2 the student must be able to demonstrate that they have a suitable clinical placement. The second Module is designed to apply the skills and knowledge of the first Module and to allow the student to be able to start identifying musculoskeletal pathology within an appropriately supervised clinical setting. Teaching for Module 2 takes place at Queen Mary University of London Anatomy Laboratories.

It remains the responsibility of the student to ensure that they have an appropriate mentor.

Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Injection Therapy (PGCert MSK US Injection Therapy)

This programme consists of 2 core modules each worth 30 credits (level 7).

Module 1 (PT7169) consists of 1 block of teaching of 4 days. The first 2 days take place at the University of East London and the second further 2 days Queen Mary Anatomy Laboratory University of London. The first 2 days introduces the student to the programme and University facilities. In addition this block of teaching provides a background to the value of acquiring accurate needle position in relation to key anatomical structures using ultrasound images. The content covered will include medico legal and pharmacological considerations. The practical application will be within the context of normal anatomy of the upper extremity and lower extremity limb of healthy adults alongside an interpretation of common pathologies within a musculoskeletal context. The second 2 days teaching in the anatomy laboratory provides students with opportunity to practice injection techniques and scanning on cadavers and anatomical prosections. The successful completion of the PT7169 assignment will award 30 credits at Level 7.

Module 2 (PT7170) requires that the student has identified an appropriate clinical mentor for the practice-based learning outcomes of the second module. Organisation of a clinical mentor is the responsibility of the student and subject to agreement with the programme leader. The clinical mentor is required to have suitable clinical experience in examining musculoskeletal ultrasound scans in order to be able to review and discuss the student's work based clinical scans. The clinical mentor is not required to work in the same clinical environment as the student. Further support of PT7170 work-based learning outcomes will be provided with a further 2 days of tutor led classroom-based scanning and teaching at the University of East London. These days will also provide the opportunity for pastoral support and formative feedback. This second module is designed to apply the skills and knowledge of the first module within an appropriately supervised clinical setting.

Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography (PGDip MSK US)

A student is awarded a PGDip MSK US when they have completed the 4 core modules of the PGCert MSK US Diagnostics and the PGCert MSK US Injection Therapy