MSc Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine / Course details

This module will be skills orientated and focus on evidence-based approaches to assessing and formulating the most appropriate strategies for a patient undergoing treatment with injectable devices: botox, lipolysis and fillers. Through hands on practice 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 using evidence-based approaches to the assessment, formulation and management of patients undergoing treatment with injectable devices. To enhance best practice and maintenance of appropriate standards within aesthetic practice.

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

•Display a critical understanding of evidence based approaches to assess both clinically and psychologically a patientrequesting treatment with injectable devices including Botox,fillers and lipolysis

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

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

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

•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 skin rejuvenation procedures

•Assess, explain and manage common and serious side effects and contraindications of treatment with injectable devices to patients and relatives

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-psychosocial concepts and perspectives related to the use injectable devices: botox, lipolysis and fillers

•Critically appraise philosophies, models and 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 injectable devices including botox, fillers and lipolysis

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

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

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

•Discuss through critical appraisal the regulatory issues and indemnity required for the safe practice of injectable 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 injectable devices used in aesthetic practice.

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

•Construct sound arguments and rationales for the use of injectable 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 a critical evidence based approach to assess both clinically and psychologically a patient requesting treatment with injectable devices including botox, fillers and lipolysis

•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 injectable 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 skin rejuvenation procedures

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

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.