| Code | PDCPH |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time, Part-Time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| EU Fees | €7,500 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Non-EU Fees | Not open to Non EU applicants |
| Closing Date | Not on offer for 2024/25 |
Course Outline
Note: The next intake for this programme will be in September 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
The future of healthcare in Ireland seeks to transform our health and social care services via the expansion of community and primary care. This vision is embodied by Sláintecare whose goal, of providing care closer to home for patients and service users, requires trained professionals from diverse healthcare backgrounds.
The School of Nursing & Midwifery at UCC has designed this unique programme so that our graduates will be well-positioned to meet the healthcare needs of patients and service users in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment. The Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare will enhance your knowledge and skills in prevention, early intervention, and self-management of conditions in the community, and promote an understanding of diverse populations and the importance of integration of services for the continuity of care.
The Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare may be taken over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time and offers a flexible mode of learning.
1 Year (60 credits)
Core Modules (45 credits)
- NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 Credits)
- NU6044 Health and Health Promotion: Concepts and Principles (5 credits)
- NU6095 Primary Healthcare Services in the Community (5 credits)
- NU6302 Practice Enhancement for Quality Healthcare (10 credits)
- NU6175 Integration and Continuity of Care Across Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Healthcare Settings (5 credits)
- NU6176 Community and Primary Healthcare Clinical Practicum 1 (5 credits)
- NU6177 Community and Primary Healthcare Clinical Practicum 2 (5 credits)
Elective Modules (15 credits)
- MH6032 Effective Communication in Healthcare (5 credits)
- MH6038 Allergy and Immunology focused on Primary Healthcare (5 credits)
- MH6039 Allergy and Immunology: the Nurses and Dietetics Perspective (5 credits)
- NU5082 History Taking and Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice (5 credits) (nurses only)
- NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-Making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)
- NU6078 Aging and Older People: Comprehensive Assessment and Management (10 credits)
- NU6079 Promoting Positive Ageing and Planning for End of Life (5 credits)
- NU6085 Wound Care for Healthcare Professionals (5 credits)
- NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care (10 credits)
- NU6158 Evidence-Based Cervical Screening (10 credits)
- GP5100 Diabetes in Primary Care (10 credits)
- GP5103 Fundamentals of CVD in Primary Care (5 credits)
- EH6161 Contemporary Perspectives on Global Health (5 credits)
- EH6162 Environmental Health: Principal Aspects and Burden of Disease (5 credits)
- EH6163 Principles and Practices of Screening (5 credits)
2 Years (30 credits per year)
The 60-credit 2-year programme consists of core and elective modules worth 30 credits in Year 1 and 30 credits in Year 2.
Year 1 Modules (30 credits)
- NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 Credits)
- NU6044 Health and Health Promotion: Concepts and Principles (5 credits)
- NU6095 Primary Healthcare Services in the Community (5 credits)
- NU6176 Community and Primary Healthcare Clinical Practicum 1 (5 credits)
- Plus a 5-credit elective module
Year 2 Modules (30 credits)
- NU6302 Practice Enhancement for Quality Healthcare (10 credits)
- NU6175 Integration and Continuity of Care Across Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Health care settings (5 credits)
- NU6177 Community and Primary Healthcare Clinical Practicum (5 credits)
- Plus elective module(s) worth 10 credits
Diploma Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the 60-credit programme, you should be able to:
- Develop knowledge and critical reflective skills to interpret and evaluate evidence and adopt an evidence-based practice approach to professional practice in the community healthcare, integrated care context.
- Critically examine the multi-dimensional nature of health and the multi-sectorial /disciplinary approaches to health promotion and apply a population health approach to address principles related to equality, diversion, and inclusion.
- Critically reflect upon a variety of contemporary healthcare issues as they relate to primary healthcare theory and practice both nationally and internationally.
- Apply critical theoretical insights, clinical reasoning, and quality improvement approaches/initiatives for the enhancement of health care delivery in the community primary care context.
- Demonstrate critical reflection on the role and impact of an interdisciplinary and collaborative cross-boundary team working in meeting service users’ needs in an integrated care system.
- Enhance the knowledge and skills in prevention, early intervention, and self-management of conditions in the community and promote an understanding of the importance of integration of services for the continuity of care.
Exit Award
Students who opt to exit will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Community and Primary Healthcare upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 30 credits.
Course Practicalities
The Postgraduate Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare (60 credits) is a blended programme that can be completed full-time over one academic year or part-time over 2 academic years.
Our healthcare professionals’ postgraduate education is flexible and allows our participants to continue with their work. It is a blended learning programme, with the teaching delivered online, face-to-face, and in a clinical practicum. There is a focus on interprofessional and peer learning and this is supported through online discussion boards and workshops and face-to-face sessions.
The Clinical Practicum requires a placement of at least 32 weeks in the student's place of work.
Why Choose This Course
Community and Primary Healthcare are at the heart of HSE Sláintecare's vision for the right care, at the right place, at the right time. The Government’s direction is to bring care closer to home for patients and service users and by taking this course you can facilitate this vision.
This specially devised diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare will enhance your knowledge and skills in prevention, early intervention, and self-management of conditions in the community and promote an understanding of the importance of integration of services for the continuity of care.
A unique aspect of the Postgraduate Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare is that it includes a clinical practicum, which will be undertaken in your workplace. The placement facilitates your knowledge of the community and primary healthcare setting under the guidance of the Programme Lead, preceptors, and healthcare professionals in the community and primary healthcare setting.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
This programme includes a supervised clinical practicum module (NU6176 & NU6177), undertaken in Ireland, where you can integrate theory with practice in the community and primary healthcare setting and enhance their appreciation of interdisciplinary team-working.
Mentors will be provided with education and support in relation to the clinical assessment process and documentation. Our students take an active role in identifying prospective mentors and it is envisioned that supervisors will come from the same disciplinary background as the student.
Skills and Careers Information
The diploma programme is suitable for individuals who are currently working in community and primary healthcare and who are seeking enhanced qualifications for their career advancement.
In today’s competitive workforce, postgraduate qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development (CPD) and career advancement. Our diploma supports students from a range of professional health backgrounds in developing knowledge, skills, and competencies to assist them in delivering health and well-being in the community and primary healthcare setting.
The programme also supports students to take on the delivery of community and primary healthcare at a specialist level as well as in leadership and senior roles.
Following successful completion of the diploma you may progress to Community Practitioner roles and onwards to specialist and senior practice roles in the community and/or Primary Healthcare setting. Progression pathways will vary by discipline, setting, and availability of promotional opportunities.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a relevant subject area such as Clinical Therapies, Nursing, Midwifery, or other allied health professions.
- Be a practising professional in a recognised core healthcare profession in the community or primary healthcare setting.
- Provide evidence of current registration as a registered healthcare professional with a relevant professional regulatory/registration body in Ireland.
- Have a minimum of 6 months post-registration experience working within a community or primary care setting.
Note you will be asked to provide the following as part of the application process for this programme:
- Work Experience: Please enter any work experience relevant to this programme.
- Support letter from your employer.
- Clinical Placements: You will be required to complete clinical placements and will require access to suitable community or primary care placements in your current work environment. Please provide details.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be given to applicants who do not hold a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8). Such applicants may be considered for admission following a review of their individual qualifications and professional experience in a suitable area such as Clinical Therapies, Nursing, Midwifery, or other allied health professions. RPL applicants may also be invited for an interview.
Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, will be subject to UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a placement unless the vetting process has been cleared.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Fees and Costs
The EU fee is €7,500.