Multimedia, distance-learning Master of Science in general-
practice medicine
Online posting: June 10, 1996
Published in print: Sept. 1, 1996 (CMAJ 1996;155:513)
The University of Derby, England, is inviting applications for
the world's first multimedia, distance-learning Master of Science
(MSc) degree in medicine.
This is the only MSc program in Britain that is tutored by
full-time physicians and offers complete flexibility in the
timing, place and pace of study.
The course is modular in design. Participants can study module
by module without any commitment to taking a full degree, or can
fulfil the course requirements in a maximum of 5 years for the
degree. Credit gained in one of the modules can be transferred to
any other modular course in Britain under the Credit Accumulation
and Transfer scheme.
Why do a Master's degree? The aim of a Master's program is to
help students develop into state-of-the-art thinking machines.
Multimedia provides a simulated environment in which to test a
multitude of models and theories in the following areas of
clinical practice: the consultation, clinical reasoning, practice
development, the physician in society (ethics and sociology),
personal development, therapeutics, quantitative research,
qualitative research and independent study or scholarly work.
Electronic discussion is used to augment the CD-ROM-based
learning packages. To ameliorate the daunting hours required, the
learning methods and assignments are integrated into a typical
clinical workload, so that physicians use parts of their brains
that normally shut down while they attend to routine work.
Assignments of usually take the form of 3000-word essay based on
clinical work. For instance, in the consultation, physicians
videotape 20 consultations and then analyse them. They then work
through the material over 20 sessions, taking their worksheets
into the office to reflect on and try out new ideas. The notes
made at work are easily integrated into the assignment.
Physicians then complete their essays by using and evaluating the
concepts introduced in the module. This time-efficient available
formula uses modern concepts of problem-based learning in the
workplace. For more information, contact Dr. John Sanfey.
John Sanfey
University of Derby and Alvaston Medical Centre
Derby, England
tel. 44 1332 792-207
fax 44 1332 758-403
100424.461@Compuserve.com
CMAJ email
CMAJ Readers' Forum