MSc Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine

This module will be skills orientated and focus on evidence-based approaches to assessing and appropriately managing patients undergoing treatment with laser devices used in aesthetic practice. Students will develop sound critical analysis skills through e-learning, discussion forums and expert led tutorials.

Through hands on clinical workshops students will be guided through these techniques and encouraged to utilise critical thinking skills to demonstrate in-depth understanding of latest research and practice in this topic area to offer high quality patient centred care.
 

•Equip students with in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills in a range of evidence-based approaches to the assessment, formulation and management of laser devices in aesthetic medicine.

•Enhance best practice and maintain standards for laser treatments of aesthetic problems.
 

By the end of this Unit students should be able to:

•Demonstrate an in-depth, critical understanding of facial anatomy and morphology of ageing changes

• Demonstrate an in-depth, critical understanding of bio-medical concepts and perspectives related to the use of laser devices: PDL, ablative lasers, pigment specific devices, fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers, and lasers for hair reduction.

• Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the variety, mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy profiles of laser devices used in aesthetic practice

• Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the patient assessment, indications and complications of laser devices used in aesthetic medicine

• Utilise appropriate theoretical frameworks and evidence-based constructs to assess, examine and formulate management plans for patients undergoing laser procedures

• Assess, explain and manage common and serious side effects and contraindications of treatment with laser devices to patients and if necessary their relatives

• Construct sound post treatment review and assessment plans based on an in depth knowledge of patients emotional and physical needs.
 

The teaching and learning for this unit takes place over one semester. Learning methods utilised involve a blend of both online learning and face to face lectures/seminars and workshops. On line components will require students to engage with on-line materials developed for the purpose, including video clips of interviews with researchers, interactive demonstrations and guided activities.Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session/seminar.

By the end of this Unit students should be able to:

•Demonstrate an in-depth, critical understanding of facial anatomy and morphology of ageing changes

•Demonstrate an in-depth, critical understanding of bio-medical concepts and perspectives related to the use laser devices: PDL, ablative lasers, pigment specific devices, fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers, and lasers for hair reduction.

•Critically appraise frameworks for safe and competent practice including effective communication.

•Display a critical understanding of evidence based approaches to assess both clinically and psychologically a patient requesting treatment with laser devices

•Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the variety, mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy profiles of laser devices used in aesthetic practice

•Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the indications and complications of laser devices used in aesthetic medicine

•Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and value of different research approaches, designs and methods as applied to laser devices.

•Systematically and critically examine hierarchies of research evidence that inform and underpin aesthetic practice

•Demonstrate an in-depth critical understanding of the requirements for, stages of and limitations of informed consent when offering treatment with laser devices

•Discuss through critical appraisal the regulatory issues and indemnity required for the safe practice of laser devices

By the end of this Unit students should be able to:

•Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of service user and carer perspectives and apply these to their practice

•Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise and apply the evidence base for the range of laser devices used in aesthetic practice

•Demonstrate and defend sound clinical judgements for the management of patients undergoing treatments with laser devices

•Construct sound arguments and rationales for the use of laser devices in aesthetic medical practice based on a critical synthesis of current research, policy, theoretical dimensions and service user and carer perspectives

•Consider critically a variety of established techniques and methods of research and enquiry and how they relate to the advancement of evidence based aesthetic medical knowledge and practice
 

By the end of this Unit students should be able to:

•Manage and advance their own practice in accordance with professional, ethical, legal and policy frameworks

•Apply critical evidence based approaches to assess both clinically and psychologically a patient requesting treatment with laser devices including PDL, ablative lasers. etc

•Utilise appropriate basic science knowledge, theoretical models and concepts to advise patient’s towards the most appropriate management strategies

•Through effective partnership working, contribute to the implementation and evaluation of a range of evidence based strategies and interventions to promote and enhance high quality care for patients undergoing treatment with laser devices

•Develop therapeutic relationships with individuals (and where appropriate care givers) that enable them to be purposefully involved in a partnership of care based on appropriate values and processes

•Demonstrate sensitivity, awareness and advanced skills in the process of engaging with people seeking advice for skin ageing

•Utilise core skills in aesthetic medical practice to undertake and record systematic, accurate and comprehensive assessments of the needs of individual patients

•Utilise appropriate theoretical frameworks and evidence-based constructs to assess, examine and formulate management plans for patients undergoing laser procedures

•Assess, explain and manage common and serious side effects and contraindications of treatment with laser devices to patients and if necessary their carers/ relatives

•Construct sound post treatment review and assessment plans based on an in depth knowledge of patients emotional and physical needs

By the end of this Unit students should be able to:

•Communicate effectively (verbal, non-verbal, written) in a variety of settings with a range of individuals

•Effectively utilise information technology/health informatics

•Demonstrate research and enquiry skills by accessing and analysing literature in order to inform and develop practice

•Work co-operatively and effectively with others as a member of a team

•Reflect on their own academic, clinical and managerial performance and utilise strategies to improve these

•Use logical and systematic approaches to problem-solving and decision-making

The unit is assessed by a written assignment, group discussion work, and a multiple choice Core of Knowledge assessment marked on a pass/fail basis.

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their summative assignments, within 15 working days of the submission deadline.

Formative assessment and feedback to students is a key feature of the on-line learning materials for this unit, and will be given on an informal basis. Students will be required to engage in a wide range of interactive exercises to enhance their learning and test their developing knowledge and skills.