Overview of the Programme
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Surgical Education is aimed at surgical trainees of all surgical specialities and levels (CST1 – ST8) who have completed the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Surgical Education and who wish to further develop their knowledge to an advanced level. Similarly to the PGCert in Surgical Education, the PGDip focuses on the learner’s practice as an educator, entwining theoretical concepts in the field of education with practical ability in surgery to consolidate the learner’s aptitude as a surgical educator.
The flexible approach of this part-time programme allows learners to complete the modules alongside clinical commitments. It is delivered online through individual and small-group tasks, discussion boards, and interactive webinars. The high tutor-to-delegate ratio ensures that learners are able to benefit from an individualised approach.
The PGDip in Surgical Education is offered by Doctors Academy Group of Educational Establishments. It relies on a multidisciplinary approach which, essential to both surgery and education, enables the expertise of academics and professionals in different fields to collaborate to provide a relevant and valuable programme that will enhance the skills of surgical trainees and, ultimately, positively impact patient care.
If you have any queries about the PGDip in Surgical Education, please email us at pgdip@doctorsacademy.org.uk.
Modules
The PGDip in Surgical Education comprises six modules, each of which is assessed by a written summative assessment. The modules are:
- Module 1: Creating Educational Resources for Surgical Trainees
- Module 2: Evaluating Surgical Educational Events
- Module 3: Research Methods in Surgical Education
- Module 4: Surgical Statistics and Surgical Research Ethics
- Module 5: Delivering Didactic and Interactive Lectures to Surgical Trainees, and Facilitating Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Case-Based Discussions (CBD)
- Module 6: Contemporary Issues in Surgery and Current Advances in Surgical Techniques
Learning Outcomes
Module 1
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- recognise theoretical aspects that underpin the creation of online educational resources and use them to develop his/her own resources.
- construct clear learning outcomes, using established frameworks as a guide.
- create a storyboard that designs a new online educational resource.
Module 2
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- critically analyse the various components of a surgical course, such as the rationale, content, organisation, execution, and feedback.
- use different evaluation methods to evaluate a surgical course.
- reflect upon the evaluation process to refine and enhance future surgical educational events.
Module 3
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- use the principles of valid research design to conceptualise and plan a study in a surgical context.
- select appropriate methods of data collection (quantitative and qualitative) and explicate how to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
- explain mortality and morbidity as measures of outcomes and appraise the strengths and limitations of this approach.
- describe levels of evidence in surgical research.
- outline the process of conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Module 4
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- demonstrate an awareness of basic statistical aspects that underpin research in a surgical context.
- estimate and interpret statistical concepts such as descriptive statistics, standard error, confidence intervals, statistical tests, relative risk, odd ratios, number needed to treat, number needed to harm, correlation, regression, and survival data.
- read papers from reputable journals (e.g., NEJM, The Lancet, BMJ, and BJS) and reflect upon the statistical methods employed, interpret the data presented, and evaluate the appropriateness.
- identify key ethical issues in surgical research and propose strategies to address or overcome them.
Module 5
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- deliver didactic lectures to large groups of surgical trainees in an interactive and effective manner.
- facilitate PBL in surgical topics for medical students in a manner that promotes learning.
- facilitate surgical CBD for medical students in a manner that ensures their development of knowledge.
- contribute to the spiral curriculum method of teaching used in certain Medical Schools.
Module 6
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:
- critically analyse controversial topics in surgical practice and their impact on the provision and consumption of surgical education.
- propose strategies to ensure that such issues do not affect the way in which he/she delivers education to surgeons.
- contemplate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgical education.
- examine the role of the surgical trainer in robotic surgery.
- demonstrate a critical awareness of the wider context in which surgical education functions, appreciating the ramifications on professional practice.
Entry Requirements
I. Academic Ability
Applicants must have successfully completed the PGCert in Surgical Education in order to apply for the PGDip in Surgical Education.*
II. Interview
Applicants who meet the selection criteria will be invited to interview. The interview will be held via Zoom, and the panel will consist of experts in the field of surgical education who will assess your suitability to the course.
* Applicants for the PGDip must possess the same academic and professional prerequisites as applicants for the PGCert. Since applicants for the PGDip must have completed the PGCert, it is assumed that they will have met the eligibility criteria.
Important Dates
1st August 2024 (0900 hours BST)
Applications for entry in the academic year 2024/2025 open.
30th September 2024 (2000 hours BST)
Applications for entry in the academic year 2024/2025 close.
7th October 2024 (0900 hours BST)
Programme starts.
Fees for Academic Year 2024/2025
The fee for the PGDip in Surgical Education for the academic year 2024/2025 is £2,395. The same fee applies for ‘Home Students’ (i.e., those whose permanent residence is in the UK) and for International Students (i.e., those whose permanent residence is outside the UK).
The fee can either be paid in full before the start of the programme, or it can be paid in four equal instalments of £598.75. The dates of each instalment are:
Instalment 1: 1st October 2024
Instalment 2: 1st December 2024
Instalment 3: 1st March 2025
Instalment 4: 1st June 2025
The fee must be paid in full by 1st June 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For whom is the PGDip in Surgical Education suitable?
The PGDip in Surgical Education is aimed at surgical trainees of all surgical specialities and levels (CST1 – ST8) who have successfully completed the PGCert in Surgical Education and are involved in the education of junior surgical colleagues.
How much time will I need to dedicate to this programme?
Learners will typically dedicate four-to-five hours per week to this programme.
Will I need to attend face-to-face?
This programme is delivered online, and you will not need to attend any face-to-face sessions. You are, however, very welcome to teach in our educational courses held in Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, London, and other centres in the UK.
Are you able to support my visa application?
If you are successful in obtaining a place on the programme, we can provide you with a letter to confirm that you have been accepted. We are unable to sponsor student visas for this programme.
Whom should I contact if I have a query about the programme?
Please email us at pgdip@doctorsacademy.org.uk or call us on (+44) 2920 616765.