The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is a part-time course for healthcare professionals, offered by the Department for Continuing Education in collaboration with the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences.

Postgraduate Certificate in Patient Safety

It can be completed in one year (though two years is possible), and consists of three modules, each a week long and taught in Oxford. We provide online support and e-library access for distance learning on either side of the Oxford weeks.

Key facts
Course: PGCert in Patient Safety

Level: Postgraduate

Mode: Part-time

Duration: 1-2 years

Start date: October 2019

Deadlines are 12 noon UK time (midday) on:

Friday 25 January 2019
Friday 1 March 2019
Later applications may be considered if places are available

Course contact: If you have any questions about this course, please email ssp@conted.ox.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1865 286954.

The PGCert in Patient Safety is designed to provide an understanding of:

• the basic science behind quality improvement methods
• the techniques for implementing, sustaining and measuring systems change
• the techniques for exploring and evaluating the effect of different approaches to improving safety in healthcare
• There is a growing evidence base that quality improvement and human factors-based projects in healthcare have real impact on clinical outcomes for patients. The University of Oxford has a strong research base in patient safety, and this course benefits from the researchers’ intensive collaboration with clinicians.

The course will appeal to doctors, nurses, managers, and other healthcare professionals who have an interest in patient safety.

Programme Details
Students attend two core modules and one option module.

Core modules:

• Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis
• Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication

Option module:

• Introduction to Surgical Management and Leadership
• Becoming a Medical Educator

Each module will comprise one week’s intensive teaching in Oxford through lectures, workshops, seminars and practical sessions. Modules are constructed to promote independent learning, to develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject, as well as to encourage group working and discussion. They include a period of preparatory study, and are followed by a period for assignment work.

The panel of tutors is led by Dr Lauren Morgan, Course Director, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford.

Course Aims and Teaching Methods
During the Postgraduate Certificate students will develop a knowledge and understanding of:

• The principles of patient safety in the context of a complex healthcare setting
• The fundamental importance of systems thinking and the understanding of process flow in the organisation of a healthcare system
• The nature of effective change needed to understand and overcome the obstacles to improving safety within an organisation
• The importance of human factors when considering errors or opportunities for change

Modules are delivered face-to-face in the first instance, with a VLE established for between-module support. Modules will comprise one-week’s intensive teaching in Oxford through the use of lectures, workshops, seminars and practical sessions. They are constructed to include independent learning, to develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject, as well as group working and discussion. The modules include a period of preparatory study, a week of intensive face-to-face lectures and tutorials, followed by a period for assignment work.

If you would like more information please go to the University of Oxford’s website

Please note that CHFG do note endorse any specific course or organisation.

Source: CHFG