Course Catalogue

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This intercalated course is aimed at any medical student interested in pursuing a career in an acute surgical speciality, ENT / otolaryngology. The course will provide an in-depth understanding of head and neck conditions together with insight into the research informing clinical practice in this area.

Approximately 6 x 1.5 hour sessions per week in Semester One, and 2 x 1.5 hour session per week in Semester 2.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Actively enrolled in an MBChB or BDS and normally have successfully completed at least the first 3 years. Exceptionally, some external students from specific partner institutions may join the course after completion of two years of MBChB or BDS (or equivalent); however award of the intercalated degree will be withheld until they have subsequently completed the required number of additional credits (or equivalent) at their home institution.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Will normally be placed within the top 50% of the year and have demonstrated good academic progress.

None

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Core Course

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Research Project

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Statistics

Assessment

65% written examination in April/May

35% review essay completed during 2nd semester

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aim of this specialist course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the head and neck and the pathophysiology, investigation and management of head and neck diseases, applicable to both adults and children. 

Students will also be introduced to and critically evaluate clinical and scientific research in this field.

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

■ Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the principles underlying anatomy and physiology of the head and neck region by interpretation of common ENT conditions encountered in both primary and secondary care.

■ Analyse ENT /head and neck signs and symptoms to formulate a list of differential diagnoses for a given clinical scenario

■ Design an appropriate management plan for common ENT presentations, focusing on emergencies.

■ Critically appraise management options for the most common head and neck tumours, comparing the risks and benefits of the differing options available (eg conservative vs. medical vs. surgical).

■ Articulate the most common ENT infections, their associated morbidity/mortality and the practical applications for their management.

■ Assemble a critical knowledge of basic surgical skills and discuss the principles of simulation-based training

■ Critically evaluate and articulate the ethical issues associated with surgery.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.