PGDip Cataract and Refractive Surgery (Theory)
Emma Gilligan – I work for a private practice in Crumlin called Eppel opticians, The National Optometry Centre D.I.T Kevin Street and the NCBI
I completed the PG Dip Cataract and Refractive Surgery last year. I really enjoyed the course and gained a lot from it .The course has a great structure and allowed me to fit in my learning around my working week. I liked the mixture of lectures, assessments and discussions. There was a good mix of experienced and non experienced people doing the course so the discussions were particularly informative. I had no experience of refractive or cataract surgery before doing the course so I found the discussions very interesting and I learned a lot from the surgeons doing the course. The tutors were online every day and replied promptly to queries and questions. Since completing the course I am more confident about giving information to my patients about Refractive and Cataract Surgery and can answer their questions and concerns.
Jawaid Masood, Ophthalmologist, Bedford Hospital Eye Department managed by the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust.
It gives me great pleasure to write about this wonderful course which has had an enormous influence in my professional life. Refractive surgery is a very challenging field of practice in ophthalmology and needs good sound knowledge. There are very few courses available but they tend to be too short, therefore they only give you the basic concepts and do not give you the confidence to deal with complicated cases. The University of Ulster online course is very friendly and covers a broad spectrum of knowledge concerning refractive surgery from basic medical science of anatomy, physiology, and optics as well as teaching on how to deal with rare post operative complications. The pre-operative assessment and post operative complications have been dealt with very nicely. One of the best aspects of the course was the interactive discussion on each module which I found very helpful. Before undertaking the course I was doing consultations, but now with confidence I am practicing refractive surgery. In summary the course gives an excellent all-round teaching and has given me the confidence to deal with complicated cases as well.
Dan Burke, FAOI PG Dip, Laser Optometrist, Ultralase
My name is Dan Burke and I am an optometrist of ten years experience. I recently completed the PG DIP in Cataract and Refractive Surgery at University of Ulster and would not hesitate to recommend this course to fellow professionals in ophthalmology. Within 3 months of completion of this course I have taken up a post as a laser optometrist. I believe my participation in this course was a key factor in my employer’s decision to offer me this position. Furthermore I found the course stimulating and challenging; and all the academic and administrative staff at University of Ulster most helpful at all times.
MSc Cataract and Refractive Surgery (Theory)
Paul Carey, B.App.Sc (Optometry) M.Sc.(Ulster) Grad.Cert.Oc.Therap. (QUT) Clinical Optometrist, Brisbane North Eye Centre
I chose this course for a few reasons. I had just begun working in a Refractive Surgery practice and needed to expand my knowledge of that area. There are very few formal courses in this area anywhere in the world. I was looking for a course with high quality lecturers who were active clinicians in the area. I work full time and so part time study was my only choice. I live in Australia – the online mode of study allowed me to combine work, family and study. The lecture content was excellent and the tutors and other staff were very helpful. My manuscript prepared as part of my MSc was recently published in a well respected journal. My employer has increased the scope of my job to incorporate my expanded skills and knowledge base. I would recommend the University of Ulster, the course and the concept of online study to anyone.
Colm McAlinden, BSc (Hons) Optometry, MSc University of Ulster, PhD University of Ulster, Cathedral Eye Clinic
I am an Optometrist currently in the final year of a PhD degree. My PhD is on the topic of refractive surgery and I undertook the PGDip/MSc Cataract and Refractive Surgery course to build my knowledge and form a foundation in refractive surgery. The course enabled me to learn and discuss many interesting topics with well known refractive specialists and fellow colleagues. This has been very beneficial to help focus my PhD research and clinical skills. I would highly recommend this course for any Optometrist wishing to extend their knowledge in refractive surgery and to help develop research ideas.
PGCert Forensic Studies
Richard Hoddes – NHS, Interventional Cardiology
As a full time NHS employee with an interest in forensics this course was ideal; because it is conducted entirely online, I was able to complete it around my work schedule, even when I was on shifts. The other students, who were from a diverse range of professions, offered a wide variety of perspectives on the discussion subjects. This multi-professional approach is perfectly in keeping with the forensic work I am involved with. As a post-graduate qualification, it has been useful for both my CPD portfolio and my KSF review.
Rachel Monaghan, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Ulster
The PGCert in Forensic Studies provides someone with a non-scientific background an ideal way to study the complexities of forensics. As I teach in the area of criminology I wanted to gain an understanding of forensics and its application and ultimately incorporate what I’d learned into my work. The e-learning format of the Forensic Studies programme allows students to study where and when is suitable to them, the support on offer is first rate and the on-line discussions with fellow students around the world stimulating. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in acquiring knowledge about forensics.
PGDip/MSc Forensic and Legal Medicine
Dr Nicholas D Swift, PGDipFLM(Distinction), MFFLM Senior Forensic Physician, Merseyside Police Authority
I first became aware of the course following an announcement by Professor Patrick McGrath and Professor John Farnan at Association of Forensic Physician’s 9th Cross Channel Conference of Forensic Medicine that was held at Torquay between 16th and 19th May 2007. Having obtained only the first part of the DMJ back in 2001, the structured university based course appealed to me so I thought I would give it a go, despite the fact I hadn’t studied since 2001 and then when at medical school.
The ‘distance on line learning’ nature of the course makes it ideal for the average busy FME/GP/Specialist Dr and to my surprise it certainly suited me. The modules were very well set out on line and the reading materials were very helpful (these can be downloaded and printed from the study notes provided).
One of the best aspects of the course is the ‘Discussion Board’ that I found a great help in both contributing to and learning from my learned colleagues and tutors. This is a very useful method of learning because it prompts in depth reading and research into the various topics discussed.
All in all a thoroughly good time was had. Would I do it again? Definitely.
Dr Richard Lewis Forensic Medical Examiner
I undertake work as a Forensic Medical Examiner, and wanted to ensure a thorough educational and academic grounding to my clinical practice – this course certainly provided that!
This is an excellent course – and comprehensive in its content, course materials and support by tutors and staff – I would recommend the course to anyone working in Forensic Medicine – it is challenging and through interaction with other students and tutors ensures reflection on practice – re-enforcing best evidence based practice essential in this field of clinical practice.
Not having undertaken eLearning previously – it was difficult to perceive how it would work – but, now having experienced it – it does work – and is suitable for distance learning – while not distancing you from fellow students – in fact I think it encourages greater interaction, and exchange of ideas and views – and obtaining peer support throughout the course – than would occur in a conventional learning setting.
The course very much lends itself to distance learning – and for those of us with day jobs – it does need some degree of discipline of time – and this is not always easy in busy lives – but it is well worth the effort. Highly recommended. The more you put in – the more you will definitely get out.