MSC curriculum for Audiology Mark E Lutman/Jane Burgneay Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton

2 Two main levels Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) –3-year BSc degree with integrated placements Scientist Training Programme (STP) –3-year training programme containing specialist Masters degree (think of BAA HTS scheme)

3 PTP – BSc in Health Care Science (modality) Main modalities in Physiological Sciences division –Cardiology, Respiratory, Vascular sciences (CRV) [plumbers] –Audiology, Neurophysiology, Vision sciences (ANV) [electricians]

4 Vertical structure of curriculum Generic modules –Common across Health Care Sciences (HCS) –Example: Research Methods Division-specific modules –Common across division (or sub-division: CRV, ANV) –Example: Scientific Basis of Neurosensory Sciences Discipline-specific modules –Specific to Audiology, or other discipline

5 PTP horizontal structure Year 1 –Generic 70 credits, Division-specific 50 credits Year 2 –Generic [20], Division [90], Discipline (placement) [10] Year 3 –Generic [10], Discipline [60], Discipline (project) [30], Discipline (placement) [20]

6 Differences from current 3 years instead of 4 years HEFCE funded (students pay fee contribution, no NHS bursaries, no paid placement) More generic and division-specific, less discipline-specific learning Reduced paediatric and vestibular competencies Reduced period of clinical placement No inter-professional learning in curriculum Additional training will be required in post - preceptorship Learning outcomes defined by MSC team (with input from profession) rather than by profession Curriculum defined by MSC team (with input from profession), rather than by HEIs

7 Timing Start date –2011/12 academic year Placement schedule (suggested) –Year 1 tastersSemester 1 (10 weeks) –Year 2 placementSummer vacation (15 weeks July- Sept –Year 3 placementSemester 2 (25 weeks ?Feb-June) Transition issues –Need to complete NHS-funded placement years by end June 2013

8 YearExisting 4 year route final intake New 3 year route Y Y2Y Y3Y Y4Y3

September – end August Current Y2 on placement and current PG Dips Beginning September – end July Current Y1 on placement Beginning August to end June intake for current 4- year programme on placement First cohort of new programme reaches Y2 for 3 month placement starting July

10 PTP: known unknowns Funding for placements awaiting MPET review Availability of sufficient HEFCE student numbers Regulation and registration Which universities will run BSc/workforce planning Effect on student recruitment (support from DH/NHS for promotion of new degrees) Accreditation processes Placement availability, organisation and liabilities Commissioning

11 PTP: known unknowns - IRCP Hosting and funding –IRCP group had made some headway on this last year –MSC on-line tool - unknown Content of IRCP Will all HEIs delivering the new BSc use the IRCP? Will we know who they are?

12 Fragility of placements Uncertainties and dissatisfaction over Modernising Scientific Careers Creeping privatisation of audiology services Instability due to arbitrary decision-making by PCTs The Health White Paper fuels the perceptions of uncertainty

13 Year 2/3 placements Suggestion that we put year 2 and 3 placements back to back ie from July – January incl. Therefore year 1 taster sessions could run from Feb-May Will also need to consider STP placements

14 Opportunities Somewhat broader education will be beneficial in the longer term More flexible pathways for education and training, especially at Masters level Potential for internationalisation, especially at Masters level Less direct control of programmes from DH and NHS (as a consequence of HEFCE funding) More explicit end-on training for BSc graduates will be required Opportunity to reflect and build on past experience

15 STP: structure No curriculum yet 3-year funded training posts (like current clinical scientist trainees) Encompasses MSc degree Suggested plan –Full-time semester 1 of MSc at start of STP –Modular semester 2 modules individually arranged over remaining 2.5 years –Research project normally at work base with HEI supervision –Alternative semester 1 modules for practising audiologists (e.g. BSc Audiology)

16 STP: known unknowns Number of STP trainee posts Salary structure and payment to host departments Recruitment process Number of universities offering MSc Who will organise work-based rotations Regulation and registration Placement requirement and availability Assessment of competence; relation to HTS Accreditation process Commissioning