MSc Hysteroscopy

BSGE/ University of Bradford - MSc Hysteroscopy

A unique Outpatient Hysteroscopy Training Provision in Bradford for Nurses and General Practitioners

Sian Jones, Consultant Gynaecologist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Julia Pansini-Murrell, Senior Lecture in the Division of Midwifery and Reproductive Health at the University of Bradford have been working in partnership over the last 10 years to develop and provide education and training at an advance level for Nurses and more recently General Practitioners.

The nursing development coincided with the early 21st century drivers to change how services are delivered (DoH2000). One member of the BSGE is appointed as an external expert to the approval panels and a further two are involved with assessments, one as the external examiner. Their collective roles are to ensure that theoretical and clinical standards are in place and maintained.

The course aim is to prepare nurses to take on full clinical responsibilities and to run nurse led outpatient services for hysteroscopy (Ludkin 2003, Jones 2005). Ludkin (2003) gives a Nurse Hysteroscopists perspective of the course and its demands. To start with, there is a stand alone provision of the diagnostic module of 30 credits. This can currently be accessed at level 3 (undergraduate) or Masters level. For those who intend to develop a comprehensive service, then it is advised to consider application for the Post Graduate Diploma in Diagnostic Hysteroscopy and Therapeutic Practices. Details can be found here

In 2009 the course team also introduced a module for General Practitioners who are planning satellite services. The module is Outpatient Diagnostic Hysteroscopy and Therapeutic Practices in Primary Care. This module is 40 credits as it includes IUS fitting. Module details can be found here

The core module takes an average of 12 to 18 months to complete and is usually dependent on the volume of clinics where the student can undertake the number of hysteroscopies that are required. An absolute minimum of 125 cases (from observation to indirect supervision cases) is required. Students must be able to provide “full” care to women including pre and post procedure consenting and counselling.

Assessment is by OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) using questions and situations from the BSGE bank of questions that are modified for outpatient situations. Currently these exams are held twice a year at the University of Bradford.

Current modules include:

The new core module of Nurse led Outpatient Hysteroscopy Diagnosis is 60 credits making a Post Graduate Certificate Cost £2200.00. (Inc £100 hospitality for the study days)

The Module for the General Practitioners is Outpatient Hysteroscopic Diagnosis and Case Management in Primary Care (M level 40 Credits). Price on application

(All other modules are charged at the normal university rate and fees can be found here)

You can use the and APL scheme and can select from the following optional modules, (content is delivered on a single study day /workshop / or distance learning basis):

• Therapeutic Practices to Support Outpatient Hysteroscopy - IUS Module (M level 20 credits) Remains for previous students at M level
• Therapeutic Practices to Support Operative Outpatient Hysteroscopy - Ablation 1 (M level 30 credits) (Bi-polar and TBEA )
• Therapeutic Practices to Support Operative Outpatient Hysteroscopy –Radio Frequency Ablation (M level 20 credits)
• A choice of Research modules at 30 credits including a distance learning version or you may APEL experience or APL in a module completed elsewhere)
• Independent Study Module (M level 10 credits)
• Independent Study Module (M level 20 credits) 
 

The course team are currently reviewing what is offered based on clinical developments and preparing to implement a treatment module for the insertion of intrauterine sterilization devices (ISD).

Online applications for the Post Graduate Diploma can be found here. There is an additional part to the application for this provision that requires line managers and trainers to sign consent forms stating that they are prepared to provide the request support to applicants. This will be sent out once applications are received.

References

Department of Health. 2000 The NHS Plan. Department of Health London
Ludkin H, 2003 The Benefits of Setting Up a Nurse Hysteroscopy Service Nursing Times here (accessed 23.2.2001)
Jones S 2005 The Role of The Nurse Hysteroscopist Reviews in Gynaecological Practice 5, 3, 196-199

Dr Julia Pansini-Murrell, Lead Midwife Educator, University of Bradford
Helen Ludkin, Nurse Hysteroscopist, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust