This module will allow you to have a robust appreciation of research, innovation, audit and service evaluation and will furnish you with the ability to challenge the evidence and to address clinically meaningful questions applicable to your clinical practice.

This module introduces research methods and their application to health provision and improvement using an evidence-based approach. Research will be distinguished from audit, service development, service evaluation and innovation, and the relationships between and amongst these activities will be explored.  This will provide you with an advanced understanding of various methods to research and evaluate health care which will be the basis of your learning throughout the programme. The module will provide an overview of the structure of a research project as well as project management methods. Overall approaches and methods for data collection and analysis in quantitative and qualitative research paradigms and systematic reviews will be covered, as well as their application to diabetes prevention and management. There is a very strong emphasis on the development and application of critical evaluation, including critical analysis, reflection and synthesis to practice, throughout the module, providing the necessary grounding for you to work towards your modular assessments.

On completion of the module, a student should be able to:

• identify and critically review the different research methods (both qualitative and quantitative research), that are and can be used within health care, reflecting on appropriate methods to address clinically meaningful questions;
• undertake robust search strategies to reduce bias in academic writing when identifying appropriate literature to answer clinically orientated questions;
• evaluate literature critically and reflect on implications for practice using appropriate methods for evaluating qualitative and quantitative research;
• debate appropriate data collection methods and Integrate statistical principles in analysing data; being able to delineate the appropriate methods to use for differing data sets;
• reflect on and synthesise research findings, to clinical practice.
• critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of research, service evaluation and clinical audit in order to reflect on how these can improve patient care, promote innovation and improve service delivery.
• reflect on current ethical and governance frameworks and processes applied to the conduct of research with human subjects, service evaluation and clinical audit.
• critique the concept of evidence-based practice, methods for development of clinical guidelines, and the role of current statutory and advisory regulatory bodies governing health care

Module dates

3rd October - 28th November 2022

This module introduces the subject field within its daily clinical context. The module provides the opportunity for you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the classification, presentation and diagnosis of diabetes, 'pre-diabetes' and disorders of glucose metabolism and to evaluate the implications of these diagnoses.  You will be invited to explore diagnostic tests, clinical management plans, the pathophysiology, aetiology and risk factors of diabetes and the complementary roles of healthcare professionals, other professional and patients. Special consideration will also be given to structured self-management programmes, lifestyle and weight management, diabetes remission and exploring psychological approaches.

This module invites you to evaluate ways of managing those with long-term conditions and you will be able to consider relatively new approaches to management using co-creation and co-production, shared decision making, self-management and social prescribing.

On completion of this module, a student should be able to:

• critically review the evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis and screening of diabetes, 'pre-diabetes' and disorders of glucose metabolism based on their presentation and key features using normal glucose metabolism/physiology and contrast this with that occurring in different forms of diabetes.
• critically appraise research that focuses on the science underlying our understanding of diabetes including the aetiology, pathophysiology, and risk factors of diabetes.
• critically evaluate methods suitable for the prediction and prevention of diabetic conditions (including lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity) and reflect on the various implications arising from diagnoses of 'pre-diabetes', diabetes and disorders of glucose metabolism.
• reflect on and evaluate suitable diagnostic tests and evidence based clinical management plans for diabetes and related disorders, including non-pharmacological lifestyle and weight management interventions,
• reflect on and evaluate strategies to support self-management in diabetes, structured education and diabetes psychology
• reflect upon their learning on the module and relate this to their individual clinical practice and experience

Module dates

28th November 2022 - 6th February 2023

This module provides the opportunity for you to appraise past and current therapies in the management of people with diabetes.  This will include a range of pharmaceutical / therapeutic agents, oral and injectable therapies, risk modification interventions with attention to cardiovascular outcomes, obesity management and surgery.  The module will also explore emerging therapies relevant to the management of diabetes. Critical appraisal of research evidence is an important part of the studies for this module, to inform and support the ways in which health care professionals engage in clinical and/or lifestyle management for people with diabetes.

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

• reflect on and evaluate suitable diagnostic tests and evidence based clinical management plans for diabetes and related disorders, including lifestyle management interventions, non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches synthesising knowledge of the adverse effects of past and present therapies.
• evaluate the actions and scientific basis of currently available pharmacological therapies in diabetes.
• critically evaluate the selection of specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for distinct diabetic conditions.
• analyse the adverse effects of past and present anti-diabetic therapies.
• critically evaluate evidence and reflect upon cardiovascular, renal and metabolic benefits in cardiovascular prescribing
• critically analyse the current evidence base for current and emerging practices in the clinical management of people with diabetes, including non-insulin based therapies.
• create, critique and/or defend appropriate interventional plans for people with diabetes.
• reflect upon their learning on the module and relate this to their individual clinical practice and experiences.

Module dates

6th February - 3rd April 2023

This module provides the opportunity for you explore the prevention, recognition and management of complications in diabetes. You will be invited to evaluate current evidence base standards and recommendations of care in diabetes.  You will also be able to explore approaches applied to screening for microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetes with additional focus upon cardiovascular disease, and formulate evidence-based management for a range of clinical scenarios. This will support your ability to introduce early preventative and management options to support those living with diabetes and the delivery of personalised care packages.

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

• synthesise the pathophysiology of commonly occurring complications of diabetes, be able to critically consider assessment, management and evaluation of evidence based interventions to support early recognition and management.
• critically evaluate current approaches to screening for microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetes and contemporaneous standards and recommendations of care in diabetes with specific reference to clinical complications.
• critique and (re)design local clinical practice guidelines relating to the screening, diagnosis, management and ongoing care of people with diabetic complications.
• critically appraise the medical literature regarding diabetes complications and justify clinical practice decisions derived from evidence-based medicine.
• critique and (re)design protocols for the safe and effective management of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic emergencies.
• reflect upon their learning on the module and relate this to their individual clinical practice and experiences.

Module dates

17th April - 12th June 2023

This module provides the opportunity to evaluate the current evidence based standards and clinical practice recommendations in Type 1 diabetes. You will explore special circumstances and formulate management plans for a range of clinical scenarios including transitional care, eating disorders, and gastroparesis. You will also evaluate the evidence for technology in diabetes and develop strategies for application in clinical practice.

Module dates

2nd October - 27th November 2023

The module aims to enable students to recognise, evaluate and manage diabetes in acute illness circumstances during in-hospital admission.  Students will explore and critique current standards and recommendations of care, the evidence base and inter-professional roles in diabetes care in order to design, develop and justify local clinical practice guidelines and decisions.

Module dates

2nd October - 27th November 2023

The module aims to enable students to recognise and evaluate the complex considerations for diabetes care in the elderly.  This will entail learning how to distinguish between functional categories of older individuals with diabetes, evaluate special circumstances for the elderly and implications for therapeutic interventions.  Students will explore current standards and recommendations of care in diabetes, local clinical practice guidelines and formulate strategies for individualising patient care including the management of end of life care in diabetes.

Module dates

2nd October - 27th November 2023

The module aims to develop clinicians able to evaluate current evidence based standards to formulate clinical management, to the highest standards, for pre-existing diabetes pre-conception, during pregnancy and post-partum, as well as assessing and managing gestational diabetes during and after pregnancy. The module also develops your evaluation skills in the delivery of holistic diabetes care to women before, during and after pregnancies

Module dates

27th November 2023 - 5th February 2024

Diabetic foot disease has significant impact on both the individual and within the community.  The module aims to enable students distinguish the contributing pathologies of diabetic foot disease and develop strategies for screening for diabetic foot disease.  Students will explore strategies for evaluating and treating peripheral vascular disease, neuropathic foot disease and formulate management approaches for wound care and infections.  Another key focus will be the creation of local clinical practice guidelines for the recognition and management of diabetic foot conditions.

Module dates

27th November 2023 - 5th February 2024

This module will present a number of principles impacting on the care you deliver and provides you with the opportunity to evaluate one principle in the following areas: leadership and coaching, quality and safety and team working. The leadership content is highly interactive and presents students with the tools, cycles and methods to become leaders who are cognisant of the needs of stakeholders and who can unite teams, work effectively leading and working within teams to undertake innovative, evidence based and sustainable change. The patient safety and quality content identifies drivers that impact on the patient journey across multiple health and social care settings. Content will allow students to focus on real life, clinical scenarios highlighting the importance of the quality and safety agenda in healthcare.

Module dates

27th November 2023 - 5th February 2024