Course Timetable

Background Information

Course Information

Residential information

Course Aims and Objectives

Course Structure

PEN Group Clinical Update Accreditation of Prior Learning


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Background information

The PEN Group Clinical update Course in Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition has been run annually for registered Dieticians since 1985. In 1990 it was the first course to be validated by the British Dietetic Association.

At the time of its inception the aim of the course was to enable Dieticians to consolidate and develop their knowledge of all aspects of artificial nutritional support. The teaching on the course remains in line with relevant current literature and there is a strong emphasis on critical appraisal of the delegates own clinical practice. The course continues to provide delegates with the opportunity to share clinical experiences develop practical skills and establish professional networks.

It has evolved over the years and as of 2010 will be available with two exit points:-

Exit point 1 - CPD route, as per previous clinical update courses, the form of assessment will be a written case study. On successful completion you will receive a confirmation certificate from Queen Margaret University and the PEN Group of the BDA. You have the option up to 3 years post course to also undertake the master’s assessment.

Exit Point 2 - The taught element of the course is virtually the same, the mode of assessment will differ. Instead of a case study you will undertake the master’s module assessment. On successful completion you will be awarded with a 15 credit masters module from Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh.

The course will start in March, when pre-course work is sent out, and ends in September when the post-course assessment is submitted.

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Course Information

The clinical update course is a 7 month course aimed at senior dietitians working predominantly in nutritional support. The course will start in March, when pre-course work is sent out, and ends in September when the post-course work case study is submitted. The residential week will be Monday 28th June to Thursday 1st July 2009 at The Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

Redsidential week - Clinical Update 2010 Draft Programme

Cost: £850, without accommodation; £950, including accommodation.

Applications open 1st Oct 2009 and places are allocated on a first come first served basis on receipt of completed application form, manager’s form, and full payment.

Application forms can be downloaded here

Residential Information

The accommodation is in student halls of residence. Each room is equipped with an en-suite shower and toilet, high-speed internet connections and much more. Please note the rooms are self catered. More information can be found at:

http://www.qmu.ac.uk/services/student_accommodation.htm

Queen Margaret University is situated on the east side of Edinburgh, by Musselburgh. The campus is positioned between Musselburgh Station and Newcraighall, home of the Fort Kinnaird shopping complex. Musselburgh has a great deal to offer: a theatre, a sports centre with swimming pool, numerous supermarkets and shops, a racecourse, two golf courses, a harbour, a beach, restaurants, pubs, a public library, riverside walks, a pitch and putt course, a bowling green, a public park and a museum. The new campus is only a short walk from Fort Kinnaird, a vast outdoor shopping complex which incorporates most high street chain stores.

The campus is only 7 minutes from central Edinburgh by train so there are many opportunities to eat, drink and enjoy local culture that is on your doorstep. On the first night of the course a welcome event including dinner is arranged. This is an excellent opportunity to network and arrange to meet with other delegates in the following evenings.

How to find us: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/prospective_students/how_to_find_us.htm

Links in Edinburgh and Scotland: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/prospective_students/links.htm

http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/site/index.php

Restaurant Information: http://www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk/
http://www.restaurant-guide.com/uk+scotland+lothian+edinburgh.htm
http://www.edinburghrestaurantdirectory.com/?gclid=CM7RuJPf5JwCFd4B4wodnBUOHA

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Course Aims and Objectives

Course Aims

1.To enhance knowledge and understanding in clinical nutrition and metabolism.

2.To design and evaluate clinically effective artificial nutrition support regimens in the management if common aetiological disorders.

3. To further develop critical appraisal and analysis of the published literature relating to artificial nutrition support.


Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the delegate will be able to:

1.Critically discuss and interpret techniques utilised in nutrition assessment and the application of these in a variety of clinical conditions.

2.Plan and justify clinically effective enteral and parenteral feeding regimens for a range of clinical conditions taking into consideration nutritional status, nutritional requirements and routes of administration.

3.Evaluate the effectiveness of the provision of enteral and parenteral feeding regimens using appropriate techniques and considering clinical risk.

4.Synthesise and interpret research data to enable the practical application in a variety of clinical settings.

5.*Analyse nutritional assessment and monitoring data using computer analysis programmes and critically appraise results.

* Additional masters module learning outcome.

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Course Structure

1. Pre-course Assignment - 25 learning hours

The pre-course assignment is seen as an introductory exercise. It is designed to establish common baseline knowledge, to prepare delegates for the critical approach to their own practice and to the literature which is required for the course. The delegates are allocated 6-8 weeks to complete their pre-course assignment and return it to their tutor for marking.
It acts as a formative assessment where the delegates receive constructive comments about the assignment.

2. Residential Course - 35 learning hours

The residential section of the course runs over 5 days and to help keep costs competitive the course is held in university conference centres with the option of campus accommodation.

A variety of teaching methods are used. Each delegate is allocated a tutor and tutorial group (6-7 delegates/tutor) with whom they work in workshop sessions. Delegates are encouraged to work together, discuss their practice and share ideas.
The assessment method on the residential section is a multiple choice exam.

3. Post-course Case Study - 60 learning hours

Written guidelines are provided to delegates to enable them to prepare a written case study on a patient of their own choice. This is supplemented by a workshop to ensure the delegates understand what is expected of them. The submitted report should demonstrate that the delegate has undertaken a thorough review of the literature and reflected on the content of the whole course. Delegates are expected to critically evaluate their own clinical practice with reference to current literature and the nutrition support services provided in their area. In addition they are rewarded for proposing practical recommendations that may be applied at an organisational and personal level in their own working environment.

Delegates must pass all sections of the course to pass and receive a validation certificate.
Unsuccessful delegates will receive a certificate of attendance.

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PEN Group Clinical Update Accreditation of Prior Learning

Following our affiliation with Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, we are able to offer delegates who have successfully completed the course in the last 3 years, i.e. 2007, 2008, 2009 the option to upgrade to a 15 credit masters module awarded from QMU.

This option to upgrade is only available 3 years from the taught element of the course; therefore delegates from 2007 can only apply this academic year-2010.

Applications must be submitted from 1st October 2009. Delegates from 2008 can apply in 2010, or 2011. Delegates from 2009 can apply in 2011 or 2012.

Cost

The fee is £125, or £150 if you wish to register to attend the SSPS teaching session.

Access

Delegates will matriculate with Queen Margaret University. This allows access to the university IT facilities, Library facilities and the statistical package required to complete the assessment.

Support

You can opt to have a tutor allocated to support you via the university WebCT system. This support would comprise of up to 3 hrs of tutor time to guide you through the process and facilities available to you.

Practical Session

You can register to attend a taught session on the SSPS statistical package required to undertake the assessment at Queen Margaret University on Thursday the 1st July 2010 from 3.00 – 4.30pm. The fee to attend this teaching session is £25.

You must undertake the master’s level assessment – see masters level assessment summary for further details.