Occupational Medicine MSc

This module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of occupational medicine, encompassing its principles, services, and practical applications, including fitness assessment, hazard identification, risk management, and epidemiological interpretation, enabling effective promotion and preservation of employee health and well-being in the workplace.

Module content:

• Definition of occupational medicine (scope) and occupational health (OH) services
• Introduction to ethics and the law, multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Assessment of fitness to work, sickness absence, rehabilitation, redeployment, resettlement and ill health retirement
• Introduction to hazards and PPE
• Introduction to risk assessment and control measures
• Introduction to epidemiology

Learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the core concepts related to occupational medicine, including occupational health services, risk assessments, hazards, ethical considerations and legal frameworks.
2. Critically evaluate current research and guidelines relating to occupational medicine and the application in a range of settings.
3. Systematically organise and communicate advanced occupational health and safety related information, using criteria developed for a variety of audiences and within a multidisciplinary team approach.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse range of hazards encountered in the workplace and environment, spanning physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors, and their potential impact on various body systems, including respiratory, dermatological, infectious disease, mental health, and musculoskeletal conditions, while considering individual variations in fitness assessment influenced by age, environmental conditions, and specific job roles.

Module content:

• Physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial hazards
• Respiratory and skin disorders
• Infectious diseases/zoonoses
• Mental health and other systems
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders and ergonomics
• Fitness for specific roles/individuals

Module Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of occupational hazards, their multifaceted impacts on various health systems, and the intricate assessment of fitness for work in diverse conditions.
2. Critically analyse and synthesise complex information from diverse sources, demonstrating advanced problem-solving abilities in assessing and managing occupational hazards, individual health impacts, and fitness for specific roles.
3. Apply advanced occupational medicine principles to assess and mitigate workplace hazards, formulating tailored strategies for health promotion and risk prevention, and effectively communicating with a variety of stakeholders.

The module aims to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in occupational risk management, including risk assessment, control measures, health surveillance, reporting requirements, relevant regulatory frameworks, toxicology principles, occupational hygiene, and practical skills in walk-through surveys, enabling effective occupational health management and compliance.

Module content:

• Principles of health and safety risk management
• Health surveillance and biological monitoring. Health screening and medical examination
• Report writing including portfolio production
• Reporting schemes and health and safety executive (HSE) Appointed Doctor system
• Introduction to Toxicology and hygiene monitoring
• Conducting a walk-through survey

Module Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of the principles underpinning health and safety risk management, including the ability to critically analyse and apply these principles in diverse occupational contexts.
2. Systematically evaluate and synthesise the latest evidence-based research and guidance related to health surveillance, biological monitoring, and toxicology, to make informed decisions and recommendations that consider individual patient needs and preferences.
3. Demonstrate an ability to design comprehensive occupational health reports and portfolios, showcasing advanced communication and collaboration skills to effectively engage with employers and employees.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various occupational monitoring measures and their applications, including the assessment and exposure to organic and inorganic chemicals in different occupations, the potential health effects of dust and fibres, the distinctions between ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the analysis of vibration, noise, and light measurements, enabling effective monitoring and management of occupational hazards.

Module content:

• Occupational Hygiene sampling methods
• Organic and inorganic chemicals
• Dust and fibres
• Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and occupational exposure limits (OELs)
• Ionising and non-ionising radiation
• Vibration, noise and light

Module Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of occupational hygiene sampling methods, including their principles, limitations, and practical applications.
2. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to address practical challenges in the implementation of sampling methods, hazard assessments, and control measures in various workplace settings.
3. Utilise advanced research skills to stay abreast of emerging issues and contribute to best practices related to occupational toxicology and hygiene.

This module aims to equip students with a in-depth knowledge of health promotion strategies and programmes in the occupational setting, including policy development with a focus on mental health, the role of assistive technology, research methods and data analysis, critical appraisal skills, and the importance of audit, quality assurance, and accreditation processes such as SEQOHS, enabling the effective implementation and continuous improvement of occupational health and well-being initiatives.

Module content:

• Health Promotion - strategies and examples
• Mental health and the workplace; developing a mental health policy
• Assistive Technology
• Fitness for work in specific careers
• Research methods and data analysis; critical appraisal
• Quality Assurance, audit, SEQOHS (safe, effective, quality occupational health service)

Module Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the fitness requirements specific to various careers, considering the impact on employee wellbeing and performance.
2. Critically assess and integrate diverse health promotion strategies, selecting and adapting them based on the unique needs and characteristics of different workplaces.
3. Utilise advanced research skills to design and conduct studies that contribute to the evidence base for effective workplace wellbeing practices.

The module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the ethical and legal dimensions of occupational medicine, encompassing health and safety, environmental, and employment regulations, while concurrently developing proficiency in the effective management of an Occupational Health service, including occupational health records and business aspects such as VAT, thereby ensuring comprehensive adherence to professional standards and regulatory compliance.

Module content:

• Ethics
• Health & Safety Law
• Employment Law
• Environmental Law
• Management of occupational health service and occupational health records
• Business needs - VAT

Module Learning Outcomes:

1. Critically appraise and interpret current and intricate health and safety laws, demonstrating the ability to apply legal knowledge to real-world scenarios within a variety of settings.
2. Demonstrate the ability to formulate and justify strategic decisions in managing occupational health services and maintaining accurate records, integrating legal and ethical considerations.
3. Exhibit effective leadership skills in the implementation of occupational health practices, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and ethical standards.

Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal:

• Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
• Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier curves, forest plots and meta-analyses.
• Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk and number needed to treat. Statistical tests and their applications including t-tests, ANOVA and chi-square.
• Qualitative research methods.
• Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
• Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
• Establishing patient registers and the value of disease-specific registers.
• Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.

Professional Project:
This module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

• Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
• Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Select and apply different methodological perspectives and tools to answer research questions in the field.
• Critically analyse and interpret relevant research in the subject area.
• Design and undertake a research/development project.
• Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
• Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.