MSc Advanced Gynaecological Endoscopy

In this module, students will be guided through the process of research and will be supervised in undertaking their own research project.

A unique partnership between the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) and the University of Surrey has led to this ground-breaking programme of study. It combines thorough academic training with clinical skills training and is taught by recognised experts in the field.

You will gain academic knowledge and skills in areas such as critical appraisal of published literature, application of evidence in clinical practice, understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of your work and the principles and application of research methods.

Clinical skills will be enhanced in areas such as the use of endoscopic equipment, the management of adnexal and uterine disease and the management of endometriosis.

If you wish to specialise in gynaecological endoscopy, the programme will establish a firm foundation for your future. If you are an experienced gynaecological endoscopist, you will enjoy the stimulus of looking at familiar work from a more critical perspective.

All modules are formally assessed with either a written assignment, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), or a critical reflective portfolio (which includes a log of clinical activity and a casebook of clinical competence) and case-based discussion.

Each critical reflective portfolio contains:

• A clinical casebook of specified clinical procedures undertaken and assessed as competent by the preceptor
• A 1,000-word summary of the ‘cases’ undertaken
• A 2,000-word critical reflection on the clinical experience
• A logbook of all clinical procedures undertaken during the clinical training programme

Each case-based discussion will include:

• Three case summaries related to clinical conditions within the relevant module
• Each case should contain:
  • 200-word summary of clinical presentation
  • 300-word referenced discussion of the case management
• A logbook of all clinical procedures undertaken during the clinical training programme

MSc

All students registered on the MSc will be required to complete the following assessments:

• Four 2,500–3,000-word written assignments
• Two case-based discussions
• Two 3,000-word critical reflective portfolios
• Two OSCE examinations
• One 12,000–15,000-word dissertation
• One oral examination relating to the dissertation

PGDip

All students registered on the Postgraduate Diploma will be required to complete the following assessments:

• Four 2,500–3,000-word written assignments
• Two case-based discussions
• Two 3,000-word critical reflective portfolios
• Two OSCE examinations

PGCert

All modules are formally assessed with either a written assignment or a critical reflective portfolio (which includes a log of clinical activity and a casebook of clinical competence).

All students registered on the Postgraduate Certificate will be required to complete:

• Two 2,500–3,000-word written assignments
• Two case-based discussions
• One OSCE examination

Each module requires 150 hours of blended learning time made up of a combination of face-to-face contact within the University, time with your clinical preceptor and personal learning time. The personal learning time allows you to read through the pre-module reading pack, undertake any pre-module tasks and, following attendance at the University, undertake each of the module assignments.

To reduce the visits required to the University, some of the modules have been designed to run back-to-back; for example, the Pathophysiology and Management of Adnexal Disease and the Pathophysiology and Management of Endometriosis and Adhesions modules each have one and a half days of contact but are scheduled together in a three-day block.

Over the complete MSc programme you will be required to attend the University on eight separate occasions. Outside of these scheduled visits, individuals will need to negotiate contact with their dissertation supervisor and their personal tutor as required.

The MSc contains ten separate modules, one of which is the research dissertation.

The Postgraduate Certificate award comprises four separate modules and no dissertation.

The Postgraduate Diploma comprises eight modules and no dissertation.

1. The Pathophysiology and Management of Adnexal Disease

a. Ectopic pregnancy
b. Salpingectomy/salpingo oophorectomy
c. Ovarian cystectomy, for example, benign germ cell tumour
d. Assessment of complex adnexal mass

2. The Pathophysiology and Management of Endometriosis and Adhesions

a. Pelvic survey and management of superficial endometriosis
b. Management of small endometrioma (<5cm)
c. Management of peritubal adhesions +/- cuff salpingostomy
d. Division of filmy bowel adhesions to uterine or adnexal structures

3. The Pathophysiology and Management of Uterine Disease*

a. Subtotal hysterectomy or myomectomy with morcellation (under supervision)
b. Total laparoscopic/laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy
c. Hysteroscopic resection of type 1 or type 2 submucous fibromyoma

4. The Pathophysiology and Management of Advanced Endometriosis*

a. Block dissection of uterosacral ligaments, including entry into the recto-vaginal space
b. Dissection of pelvic side wall and ureterolysis (under supervision)
c. Treatment of endometrioma (>5cm) adherent to the sidewall

* Not applicable if studying for the PGCert award.

Participants in training grades are required to have a preceptor to oversee their clinical work and provide help with their clinical casebook. Participants, such as UK consultants, regularly undertaking unsupervised surgical procedures in advanced gynaecological endoscopy are not required to have a preceptor, although they may wish to. They will, however, be required to complete a logbook of all their relevant clinical activity and will need to submit recordings of the casebook procedures.

Prior to being accepted onto the programme, all students in training grades will need to have secured a clinical placement in the UK or abroad and an appropriate preceptor who must be approved by the Clinical Programme Director. Preceptors are required to be a member of the BSGE or working in a BSGE-approved centre and be undertaking a range of level 3 endoscopic procedures (as classified by the Royal College of Gynaecology).

The preceptor has five key tasks:

• To establish and oversee a learning programme with the trainee, based on mandatory learning outcomes and individually identified learning needs
• To encourage the trainee to develop their skills and knowledge through reading and discussion about cases with the preceptor and other hospital colleagues, as well as through a process of reflection
• To provide time in which to discuss cases and reflect on learning
• To provide the opportunity for the trainee to undertake surgical procedures under the supervision of the preceptor
• To assess the trainee’s clinical competence in carrying out specified surgical procedures

Teaching staff are drawn from a wide range of experts in the field and the Faculty, and include:

• Dr Karen Ballard
• Mr Andrew Kent
• Mr Chris Guyer
• Professor Jeremy Wright
• Mr James English
• Professor Chris Sutton
• Mr Mark Whittaker
• Dr Tushna Vandrevala
• Mr Saikat Banerjee
• Mr Shaheen Khazali
• Mr Adam Moore
• Mr Keith Louden

We also have an international faculty of world experts who teach using the latest video link technology.