MSc Healthcare Infection Management

MSc. Healthcare Infection

Course Title	MSc Healthcare Infection
Qualification	MSc
Duration	One Year Full-time / Two Years Part-time
Closing date	30th June 2023
Next Intake	September 2023
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MSc in Healthcare Infection Handbook (3MB)

Course Description

In the modern healthcare setting, the effective management of infection invokes the skills and expertise of a wide range of medically and scientifically qualified professionals. A comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of infection control and epidemiology is essential for the effective management of healthcare infection. The MSc/PGradDip in Healthcare Infection is a new postgraduate qualification that is offered by the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin to meet the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to modern healthcare infection control. The course provides specialist teaching that is delivered in conjunction with partner organisations including St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital and the Health Service Executive. The course is offered to nurses, pharmacists, physicians, microbiologists, biomedical scientists, infection control specialists and public health workers. It is delivered using a combination of interactive lectures and seminars as well as laboratory demonstrations and discussion workshops.

Contact teaching is delivered in 4 taught modules and MSc students will also undertake a laboratory research project, module 5, on a subject relevant to contemporary infection control objectives (P.Grad.Dip. students will not carry out a research project).

The MSc in Healthcare Infection is offered as a 1-year full-time degree, or as a 2-year part-time degree. The PGradDip in Healthcare Infection is offered only as a 1-year full-time degree.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us - Email: renwickj@tcd.ie

Programme Learning Objectives

The MSc/PGradDip in Healthcare Infection aims to provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of the multiple disciplines that must align to deliver effective control of human pathogens in the hospital and community settings. The course will provide foundation and advanced knowledge on the monitoring, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. There will also be a laboratory-based project for MSc students that will enable students to acquire new laboratory skills and perform research on a topic that is relevant to contemporary healthcare. At the end of the course graduates will be equipped with the knowledge to determine the correct approach and appropriate tools for managing healthcare infections.

Basic and Molecular Microbiology (CM7007) - 15 ECTS

i. Describe and discuss pathogens associated with human infection and disease
ii. Recognize pathogens predominant in the hospital environment
iii. Understand the use of serological and molecular diagnostic techniques
iv. Critically appraise the validity of molecular test results
v. Explain the essential principles of infection control
vi. Become skilled in the design and deployment of nucleic acid amplification tests
vii. Define the role of the HPSC in monitoring and controlling infectious diseases
viii. Become proficient in writing and bibliographic tools

Antimicrobial Therapy & Resistance (CM7003) - 15 ECTS

i. Define the major types of antimicrobial drugs
ii. Understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance and how resistance is acquired by important hospital pathogens
iii. Understand how to perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing using various laboratory techniques
iv. Distinguish between antimicrobial resistance in the hospital and community
v. Understand how a prescribing policy for an infectious disease is developed
vi. Analyse the results of therapeutic drug monitoring
vii. Determine if antimicrobial therapy is working on a case-by-case basis
viii. Understand and appraise antimicrobial stewardship principles

Epidemiology & Infection Control (CM7002) - 15 ECTS

i. Understand the routes for disease transmission
ii. Describe and discuss the lab detection, epidemiology and typing of major healthcare-associated microorganisms
iii. Define key infection prevention and control principles in a healthcare setting
iv. Create and design outbreak strategies to control the spread of infectious disease
v. Evaluate and appraise methodologies to prevent infection in critical areas
vi. Track waste and contamination sources within hospitals

Multidisciplinary Management of Infection (CM7004) - 15 ECTS

i. Investigate the emergence of new infections
ii. Recognise infections that are notifiable
iii. Describe how to control an outbreak in a hospital
iv. Evaluate the use of point-of-care diagnostics
v. Examine the success of infection control strategies based on measurables e.g. patient  outcomes, budget costs, safety to staff and other contacts
vi. Prevention of nosocomial fungal infections and antifungal agents
vii. Ethics and research methodologies
viii. Infections associated with immunosuppression

Research Project (CM7005) - 30 ECTS

Formulate ideas and hypotheses with reference to literature and clinical evidence
Design and undertake new research to answer specific research questions
Record and evaluate the significance and context of research data
Present and discuss findings using various written and oral media
Work to appropriate health and safety and research ethics standards in a research environment
Set personal goals and work towards achieving these goals
Demonstrate personal development throughout this process

Demonstrate an adequate level of competence with working practices used in the placement organization

Course Timetable Outline (2023-24 dates):

All below dates are TBC and subject to change

Module 1	Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (CM7007-A-Y-202324)
	Week 1: 18th – 22nd September 2023
	Week 2: 2nd – 6th October 2023
Exam:	100% continual assessment

Module 2	Antimicrobial Therapy & Resistance (CM7003-A-Y-202324)
	Week 1: 23rd – 27th October 2023
	Week 2: 6th – 10th November 2023
Exam:	100% continual assessment

Module 3	Epidemiology & Infection Control (CM7002-A-Y-202324)
	Week 1: 27th Nov – 1st December 2023
	Week 2: 11th – 15th December 2023

Module 4	Multidisciplinary Management of Infection (CM7004-A-Y-202324)
	Week 1: 8th – 12th January 2024
	Week 2: 22nd – 26th January 2024
Exam:	100% continual assessment

Module 5	Research Project (CM7005-A-Y-202324)
	Lab work starts: 12th February 2024
	Lab work ends: : 3rd May 2024

	Thesis submission : 27th May 2024

Why Study this Course?

The MSc/PGradDip in Healthcare Infection is a multi-disciplinary qualification which is primarily designed to support healthcare professionals or graduates. Our students often have backgrounds in medicine, pharmacy and nursing, and are currently in employment in these fields. The MSc is an opportunity to enhance skills and knowledge applicable to infection control. Following the introduction of the 1-year full-time option for the 2012/2013 academic year, the MSc now caters for students who have undertaken full-time undergraduate studies in one of the Biomedical or Health Sciences and who wish to enter full-time postgraduate study in the area of healthcare infection. Past students from Biomedical and Health Science backgrounds have pursued careers in research, industry and surveillance. Additionally Biomedical scientists have used this MSc to gain fellowship of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).

Past student testimonials:
"I completed the MSc Healthcare Infection Management a few years ago and it really benefited me both personally and professionally. I was worried as it was a while since I did a third level course but I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and learning forums which I could access in TCD. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team expanded and I was appointed manager. While I have many years of hands-on experience, the course helped in my knowledge of IPC and my academic qualifications"

"The MSc in Healthcare Infection Management was one of the best and most enjoyable academic experiences I have had to date. The course was very well run and covered a wide variety of essential and current topics. The research component in particular was exceptional, and allowed me to gain invaluable skills that I have been able to apply throughout my continued education"

"The MSc in Healthcare Infection Management was of tremendous benefit to my career. Each module delivered a perfect blend of knowledge in healthcare and practical science gained from the research project module. This enabled me to transition smoothly into the Healthcare sector. I would therefore recommend this course to science students with a keen interest in working within the healthcare environment"

"I attended the course with the hope of gaining the knowledge and qualifications required for the post of surveillance scientist. I'm currently working in that post so the course was extremely beneficial to me"

"It was an exceptional and well thought out programme that I am deeply proud to have completed. I now work in the World Health Organisation and can utilise many skills and information that was given to me from the course"

"I would strongly advise anyone interested in learning more about infection control to take this course. This training can lead to a variety of new professional opportunities and success. Although the covid pandemic was a challenge for us all, this course provided me with motivation and hope to get through such tough circumstances" - Preetha

Admission

Applications will normally be received from those who hold one of the following qualifications:

A medical degree
An honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Microbiology
An honours degree in another relevant science subject

Applications may also be received from individuals with a minimum three years Healthcare experience and relevant qualifications. Applicants meeting these requirements may be required to attend for interview.

Applicants intending to take the part-time course will usually be in full-time employment and typically in the healthcare setting, whereas those on the full-time degree should not be in full-time employment while taking the course.

All applications should be submitted via https://www.tcd.ie/courses.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English and who have no been educated through the medium of English must present a qualification in English Language e.g. IELTS: Grade 6.5 overall (no band grade below 6.0) https://www.ielts.org/