External summary

The Master of Surgery (ChM) two-year, part-time master’s programme in Clinical Ophthalmology  is taught entirely online, and is unique by virtue of its collaborative delivery between the University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). Both institutions have combined well previously to deliver a master’s programme to support early surgical training [MSc in Surgical Sciences/Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification (ESSQ)], and continue to serve as a powerful brand in surgery, with the subsequent launches of ChMs in General Surgery; Urology; Trauma & Orthopaedics; and most recently, Vascular & Endovascular, in September 2016 designed to support advanced trainees in this surgical specialty.

Based on the curricula of the FRCSEd (Ophth) and FRCOphth in the United Kingdom and Ireland, this vocational ChM programme provides the opportunity for advanced trainees in Ophthalmology to select those modules relevant to their declared subspecialty, and supports learning for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd) and Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) examinations. Trainees will be taught by experienced tutors, all leading clinicians in their field, and will have access to a large structured learning resource of educational material, including an unparalleled online library facility. Illustrative cases will cover technical skills and procedures as well as core knowledge and clinical skills.

The ChM (Clinical Ophthalmology) aims to develop:

• Knowledge and understanding of applied surgical sciences
• Medical and surgical management of eye disease
• Clinical decision making and judgement skills as applied to patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting
• Application of general principles of clinical study design, ethics, and statistics
• Critical evaluation of ophthalmology research publications

Educational aims of programme

The Master of Surgery Programme is run jointly by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This programme aims to support the ophthalmology trainee through the curriculum which leads to the FRCSEd (Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) and the FRCOphth (Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’)  examinations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and recognise their subspecialty interest. Both institutions have combined well previously to deliver an award-winning Master’s programme to support early surgical training (Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification, ESSQ), and continue to serve as a powerful brand in surgery, with the launch of four ChMs since September 2011 (see section 9 above), designed to support advanced trainees in their particular surgical specialty.

The ChM aims to:

• Provide high standard, flexible advanced training for the next generation of medical and surgical ophthalmologists linking an academic degree to the fellowship examination.
• Develop the trainees’ academic portfolio and facilitate ophthalmology research projects.
• Enable established consultants to serve as e-tutors thereby accumulating credit for their continuing professional development (CPD).
• Facilitate the development of educational resource that could serve to support any CPD activity for consultant staff.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

In the first year of the ChM programme, compulsory core modules cover the basic elements of subspecialist ophthalmic practice, whereas in year 2, students have the opportunity to undertake a tailored academic module that reflects their subspecialty interest. Core modules in ophthalmology run over both years of the programme. All modules are taught and assessed using a clinical problem-based approach, supported by systems-based review of the course material. Academic modules (core and specialist) explore research and teaching methodology, as well as develop skills which ensure an ability to analyse published evidence and explore interactive and written clinical communication skills. Students are required to complete an academic critique in an appropriate subspecialty area of work undertaken during the two year period of study, such as that resulting from a publication in a peer reviewed journal.

The entire programme is taught through self-directed learning at a distance. It is delivered on an established e-learning platform which allows students easy access to internal and external coursework. Course material includes established texts available in electronic format. Matriculated students have the right to use the extensive electronic resources of the University of Edinburgh, including access to many ophthalmology and surgically related journals, which are regularly reviewed in order to provide the most appropriate and current electronic educational resource. The learning style gives students the options of a problem-oriented entry and of systematic learning illustrated through subsequent problem solving. Each student is assigned an e-tutor during each course module, and all students have access to online discussion forums.

Summative assessment of knowledge and understanding is undertaken through formal examination (MCQs and extended-matching questions), which follows the format of the exit fellowship examinations (FRCSEd, FRCOphth), and the preparation of an e-dissertation. Formative assessment is undertaken through discussion boards and reflective portfolios.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be demonstrated in terms of the following:

• be able to search for, evaluate, and use the best available evidence in order to manage the ophthalmic patient
• apply a constant and integrated approach to critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas, information and issues
• recognise the relationship between evidence, audit and observed variation in clinical practice
• understand economic, legal, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be demonstrated in terms of the following:

• exercise a high level of autonomy and initiative in professional activities at a level of independent surgical practice
• be able to make clinical decisions based upon evidence and findings, taking into account ethical and professional issues
• be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking
• be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be demonstrated in terms of the following:

• be able to present information clearly in written, visual and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
• use communication as a tool for explaining, and providing patients and others with adequate information
• be able to mediate and negotiate with patients, relatives/carers/partners, and colleagues
• be able to liaise with different sectors of the health care system to effectively manage the care of the patient
• be able to teach effectively and act as a mentor to others

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be demonstrated in terms of the following:

• acquire and express attitudes necessary for the achievement of high standards of surgical practice in relation to patient care and personal development
• understand the professional, ethical and legal responsibilities of being an optometrist or ophthalmologist
• be able to manage risk while working within the limits of their responsibility and capability
• recognise the limitations of knowledge in medicine and the importance of professional judgement
• know of and respect different cultures, values, views and beliefs
• respect patient autonomy and avoid stigmatising any category of patient

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Not applicable

Programme structure and features

Degree Type : Postgraduate Taught Masters (online)

* Students to select their chosen subspecialty within the Clinical Ophthalmology curriculum for in-depth study in this module.

** Formal opt-out of standard University credit allocation to be confirmed. The credit rating of 30 for specialist module reflects relative hours of notional student effort and assessment weighting.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

The programme is taught entirely online. Students are supported by asynchronous discussion with e-tutors - all leading clinicians in their field - and have access to a large learning resource, including subscriptions to key online books and journals. Students will be expected to lead e-seminars and e-journal clubs.

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, award-winning and enables students to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of their own home or workplace.

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessment of the attainment of learning outcomes for each module is undertaken through formal examination (MCQs and extended-matching questions) at 18 months, which follows the format of the exit fellowship examinations (FRCSEd, FRCOphth). Analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and problem solving skills are assessed through group-learning activity (discussion boards) (Y1&2), self-reflective portfolios (Y2), and the formal examination (Y2). An independent e-dissertation assesses research skills linked to specialist knowledge, understanding and practical skills (Y2).

Candidates who successfully complete 120 credit points (at level 12) of coursework within 24 months (48 months by intermittent study) are eligible for the award of the Master of Surgery. This requires successful completion of the core and advanced modules in Years 1 and 2.

Career opportunities

The programme will offer an alternative to clinical / laboratory research training for those students who do not wish to take time out of training. It will develop the trainee's academic portfolio and facilitate medical/surgical research projects essential to a research active career.

The ChM programme is designed to follow the FRCSEd (Ophth) and FRCOphth curricula and prepare the advanced trainee for their exit professional examinations.

The award of ChM will highlight the trainee's commitment to continual professional development and will ensure a competitive edge when applying for consultant positions.

Other items

not applicable