Osteopathic Medicine (BOst) Part-time

Here's what NESCOT says about its Osteopathic Medicine (BOst) Part-time course.

The Bachelor of Osteopathic Medicine (BOst) part-time is a dynamic programme taught by expert and enthusiastic staff, and provides students with the understanding and skill required for success as practicing osteopaths. The programme is recognised by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and on successful completion students are eligible to register as an osteopath with the GOsC

Year 1 Modules include: Human Anatomy and Physiology (Level 4, 40 credits) Introduction to Academic Skills and Professional Practice (Level 4, 40 credits)

Year 2 Modules include: Introduction to Osteopathic Practice (Level 4, 40 credits) Foundation in Evidence Based and Professional Practice (Level 5, 40 credits)

Year 3 Modules include: Human Disease and Dysfunction (Level 5, 40 credits) Foundation in Osteopathic Practice (Level 5, 40 credits) Developing Evidenced Based Practice (Level 6, 20 credits)

Year 4 Modules include: Clinical Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis (40 credits) Developing Osteopathic Practice (40 credits) Developing Professional Practice (20 credits)

Year 5 Modules include: Research Proposal (40 credits) Integrated Osteopathic Management (40 credits) Autonomous Clinical and Professional Practice (40 credits)

Assessment

The assessment strategies of this course are varied to promote inclusivity and variety. They include formative approaches which provide opportunities for students to gain valuable ongoing feedback on academic, practical and professional ability. Assessments used include written exams, technique, exercise and clinical examination practical assessments, presentations and viva, reflective essays, literature reviews, case study presentations and essays, data interpretation exercises, research project, teaching tasks and clinical based assessment.

Learners will be provided with module guides which will provide details of content, learning outcomes and modes of formative and summative assessments. Each individual assessment will have its own assignment brief’ to provide learners with details of the assessment rational, mode, related learning outcomes and guidelines for successful completion.

Clinical Training

A key aspect of the course is the clinical training which occurs in the teaching clinic. Learners begin their clinical training in Year 1 and accumulate a total of a 1000 hours by the end of the course. The teaching clinic is staffed by highly qualified and experienced tutor osteopaths who supervise learners in assessing and treating patients and also who facilitate the learner observation experience. The clinic provides a broad range of experience and learners encounter patients of all ages and lifestyles as well as opportunity to work in specialist clinics such as paediatrics and sports injuries. Learners gain experience in patient management, taking case histories, diagnosis and treatment. They receive a high level of support in the clinic and are allocated a personal clinic tutor and scheduled regular one-to-one tutorial sessions.

Clinical training is also supported by 4 professional practice modules that run over the 5 years. As part of the assessment of these modules learners are required to submit a ‘Practice Based Learning Record’ which details their clinical experience in terms of critical reflections, clinical audit and action plans.

In Year 1 learners are required to accumulate 56 clinical observation hours. One 2 hour session a week over 28 weeks. Clinic sessions are likely to run on one of the evenings of the two days attended for lectures.

In Year 2 learners are required to accumulate 56 clinical observation hours. One 2 hour session a week over 28 weeks. Clinic sessions are likely to run on one of the evenings of the two days attended for lectures.

In Year 3 learners are required to accumulate 56 clinical observation hours. One 2 hour session a week over 28 weeks. Clinic sessions are likely to run on one of the evenings of the two days attended for lectures. During the summer learners are also required to complete a further block of 68 hours prior to starting Year 4. During this period they begin to treat patients.

In Year 4 learners are required to accumulate 238 clinical hours. Two 3.5 hour sessions over 34 weeks. During the summer learners are also required to complete a further block of 106 hours prior to starting Year 4. Clinic sessions are likely to run on the evenings of the two days attended for lectures..

In Year 5 learners are required to accumulate 392 clinical hours. Three 3.5 hour sessions over 16 weeks and four 3.5 hour sessions over 18 weeks. Clinic sessions are likely to run daytime and on at least one of the evenings of the two days attended for lectures and also on an additional non-teaching day.