MSc Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine / Course details

This module is delivered in 2 parts:

1. Safe ethical clinical aesthetic practice provides resources and key considerations  for the aesthetic clinician to provide  safe, ethical and evidenced based practice.  You will be introduced to medical ethics and be actively involved in considering reports and case studies around ethics in the aesthetic arena. In addition, you will be asked to reflect on your understanding of the role of the aesthetic practitioner in a largely private commercial sector.  
2. Safe ethical research. Develop knowledge of research models used to evaluate emerging therapies for the treatment or amelioration of skin ageing gain an appreciation of the UK law surrounding clinical testing, including the governance around research ethics, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the Human Tissue Act (HTA) 2004, a requirement for all clinical study applications.

This module aims to:

Introduce key concepts in medical ethics and promote critical engagement with ethical issues through the analysis of real-world reports and case studies relevant to aesthetic practice.

Equip students with the ethical knowledge and frameworks necessary to deliver safe, patient-centred, and evidence-based aesthetic care.

Encourage reflective practice by exploring the role and responsibilities of the aesthetic practitioner within a predominantly private and commercial sector.

Develop students’ understanding of research models and methodologies used to evaluate emerging therapies in aesthetic medicine, particularly in the context of skin ageing.

Foster an appreciation of the legal and regulatory landscape governing clinical research in the UK, including principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the Human Tissue Act (2004), and the role of research ethics committees.
 

Learning methods will utilise online e-learning resources and will require students to engage with on-line materials developed for the purpose. These include video lectures, formative online reflections and exercises and short answer quizzes. Directed study components comprise formative group work via discussion boards and specified reading related to each session/seminar. Summative assessments will comprise group work discussions on case studies (summative) which are designed to develop and assess the students critical evaluation of regulatory frameworks and ethical principles for the continued development of evidence based practice and life-long learning.

A1 Critically appraise the main ethical theories and principles relevant to aesthetic practice, including consequentialism, deontology, utilitarianism, principlism (4 principles), and virtue ethics.

A2 Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the legal, regulatory, and professional frameworks that underpin safe and ethical aesthetic practice.

A3 Evaluate the broader social, cultural, and commercial factors that influence ethical decision-making in the aesthetics industry.

Demonstrate understanding of clinical governance, medicolegal  boundaries and regulations in aesthetic medicine research
 

B1 Apply advanced ethical reasoning to complex clinical dilemmas, using appropriate decision-making frameworks to reach justifiable conclusions.

B2 Analyse and critique ethical issues arising in aesthetic consultations, procedures, and outcomes, including consent, capacity, and patient vulnerability.

B3 Synthesise diverse perspectives to form balanced ethical arguments in response to contemporary challenges in aesthetic medicine.
 

C1 Apply ethical and legal knowledge in practice to ensure patient-centred care that prioritises safety, dignity, and autonomy.

C2 Demonstrate leadership in promoting ethical standards within clinical teams and aesthetic business settings.

C3 Develop ethically sound practice protocols and marketing strategies that reflect current professional standards and societal expectations.

A4 Develop and apply practical understanding of clinical governance, medicolegal  boundaries and regulations in aesthetic medicine research.
 

D1 Communicate complex ethical concepts and decisions clearly and sensitively to a range of audiences, including patients, peers, and regulators.

D2 Reflect critically on their own values, assumptions, and behaviours in order to foster ethical awareness and continual professional development.

D3 Demonstrate ethical resilience and integrity in the face of commercial pressures and moral uncertainty.
 

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.

http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/academicsupport/informationandadviceonlink2listsreadinglistsoftware/