The programme examines Ergonomic principles within the context of the prevention and management of work related musculoskeletal disorders. It aims to equip the student with the core skills and competencies to ensure a working knowledge of ergonomics. At the same time, ensuring practice is underpinned by a strong understanding of theoretical of practical issues, including compliance with relevant legislation. The programme is designed to enhance students current clinical practice in the management of work related musculoskeletal disorders by ensuring all facets of these disorders are assessed and managed effectively. It is anticipated students will come from a variety of sources such as private practice, commercial business and occupational settings, which will bring diversity and innovative approaches to the management of what can be very difficult to manage disorders.

Topics covered include:-

1. Ergonomics
   General principles, such as anthropometry, biomechanics and physiology; user centred design, human variability, human computer interaction
2. Work related musculoskeletal disorders
   Epidemiology, evidence base and nature of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, psychology of work, health promotion in occupational health.
3. Task Analysis
   Workplace assessments for manual handling and display screen equipment, report writing, training/presentation skills

The programme is interdisciplinary and students work together exploring the contribution each discipline makes to patient care. Through this approach students will develop a better understanding of other disciplines and develop approaches to working together to provide a patient led service.

Students will all have:-

• a first degree in a health related discipline classified as second class or above
• professional registration with the relevant regulatory body from their home country and/ or
• current membership of their relevant Professional Body
• relevant work experience is desirable but the applicant’s overall profile will be considered during the admission’s process

We anticipate that the programme and modules offered may be of interest to a range of health disciplines including Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Nurses, and Medics.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The programme forms part of our Post Graduate Framework for Health Professionals which offers a wide range of accredited short courses and modules focused around patient centred care and evidence based practice.

Full time Students complete the programme in 6 months.

Part time students may take one to three years – undertaking modules at a pace to suit their busy lives.

Students are required to complete two core modules:-

• Clinical Ergonomics and Occupational Health
• Applied Ergonomics in the Workplace

The modules are studied through a variety of activities including keynote lectures, Seminar, tutorials, practical sessions, workshops, laboratory sessions, web-based learning. Self direction is encouraged from the beginning and develops throughout the modules.

The modules use:-

• Presentations, which encourage students to communicate their novel ideas, make interpretations and develop critical awareness with their peers from across the disciplines
• Case studies which encourage the students to review and evaluate their own practice;
• Practical and laboratory sessions which develop new skills for management and evaluation of practice.

This Masters level programme has been developed in accordance with underlying principles currently held at the forefront of the professional and academic disciplines. Students are asked to show originality in the application of knowledge and understanding of how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through practice.

Assessment includes:

• Case Study retrospective, representing a growth in knowledge and experience of the student during the taught part of the course
• Written assignments critically evaluating the current rationale and evidence base for the management of work related musculoskeletal disorders
• Practical assignment demonstrating ergonomic methods of assessment written up and supplemented with discussion

The modules are closely related to the work place setting and encourage the transferability of higher level skills and knowledge in order to review or change or transform current practice.

The students become more confident to articulate their practice in an interdisciplinary setting. This leads to advances in the implementation of continuing professional development, research or advanced practice in their departments and in the wider context.

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Students completing this programme are eligible to transfer onto the MSC in Advanced Practice for Health Professions, where they will have opportunities to further develop their clinical practice by undertaking other related modules and a research dissertation.

Most of the students will return to the clinical environment and will be in a position to seek a post at a higher level on the Career Framework e.g. Specialist or Advanced Practitioner status. In the past, some have continued to undertake research, acted as consultants to related commercial enterprises or have been promoted to higher grades as a direct result of completing our MSc programmes.

Several students have moved on to a career in Higher Education.

The School Help Desk provides immediate help with day to day problems. This is normally the first point of call for a student and if further advice is required the Help Desk staff will advise the student on where to go for support.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will support them throughout the programme. Tutors are able to provide information and advice about services available to support learning or to cope with the stresses that study may bring.

Personal tutors can provide feedback and help on draft coursework essays but where the material lies outside their area of expertise the help will focus on presentation and writing style rather than on content.

Module leaders and the module teaching team provide support for students seeking help with understanding of detailed concepts being studied.

The Programme Leader provides support for the students from the time they enrol until they graduate. Advice is available on module choices and practical aspects undertaking part time study.

English language support is available for all students whose first language is not English.

Our School International Student Support Officer will help overseas students comply with legislation and support them to settle into the UK

The modules have been mapped against the Skills for Health competences. Clinicians will find this helpful in planning an educational programme that supports their career development and in negotiating their access to educational opportunities.

This information can be accessed at the Skills for Health website. To access the website. Log on with user name UEL and password E154LZ