Evidence Based Therapy Practice

Course details

This programme offered by the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is to replace the existing MSc in Advanced Health Care Practice. Students will register in the first instance for the Masters programme and may choose to exit the programme with either of the exit awards, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence Based Therapy Practice.

CT6000 Research Methodologies - To develop a critical appreciation of the research literature and research issues with regard to evidence based practice.

CT6007 Advanced Assessment of Spinal Dysfunction in Physiotherapy (PT Only) - To integrate manual therapy concepts with clinical reasoning so that advanced skills in spinal assessment are understood.

SL6014 Instrumental Measures of Speech Production & Language Processing (Speech and Language Therapists Only) - To enable students to interpret findings from published international research on instrumental measures of speech production and language processing and apply some of the techniques in clinical practice.

CT6004 Independant study - To critically examine a stated area of healthcare practice to enhance the advancement of personal practice and service development.

CT6016 Research Dissertation - To enable therapists to plan, conduct, and disseminate a research study.

Course Details

Students take modules to the value of 90 credits. In Part 1, you take a minimum of two core modules to the value of 30 credits and optional modules to the value of 30 credits. Normally you would take CT6001 (Implementing Evidence into Therapy Practice) plus one other core module but this can be negotiated with the Head of the course in some circumstances. Core and optional modules will be run as prescribed by the School (and may be dependent on availability of lecturers and sufficient student registration). You make your selections in consultation with the Head of the course. In Part 2, you complete a research dissertation to the value of 30 credits which must be specific to your area of practice. All students are allocated a supervisor.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part 1

Core Modules

You take a minimum of 30 credits from the following:

• CT6000 Research Methodologies (15 credits)
• CT6001 Implementing Evidence in Healthcare Practice (15 credits)
• CT6005 Thinking, Reasoning and Reflecting on Practice (15 credits)
• CT6006 Educating for Professional Practice (15 credits)

Optional Modules

*Students normally take 30 credits from the following:

• CT6002 Interprofessional Education in Healthcare Settings (15 credits)
• CT6003 Therapeutic Relationships for Professional Practice (15 credits)
• CT6004 Independent Study (15 credits)
• CT6007 Advanced Assessment of Spinal Dysfunction in Physiotherapy (15 credits)
• CT6008 Dysphagia, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (15 credits)
• CT6009 Advanced Management of Spinal Dysfunction in Physiotherapy (15 credits)
• OT6011 Occupational Science (15 credits)
• SL6012 Current Issues in Language Impairment (15 credits) (
• SL6013 The Lexicon and Language Acquisition (15 credits)
• SL6014 Instrumental Measures of Speech Production and Language Processing (15 credits)
• SL6015 Bilingual Language Development and Disorders (15 credits)

Part 2

• CT6016 Research Dissertation (30 credits)

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• discuss and debate contemporary areas of healthcare practice at an advanced level, reflect critically on practice decisions and identify areas for change
• facilitate evidence-based practice and research within your own area of practice
• analyse the literature and apply it to practice in the substantive area of the thesis (or practice) topic
• apply research methodology by conducting a specified course of research under appropriate supervision
• demonstrate an understanding of the process of translating healthcare research into practice

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar

Detailed Entry Requirements

The MSc is offered to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists. Candidates must have:

A primary degree professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy or Physiotherapy or The equivalent professional qualification* with two years practice experience. 

Occupational Therapists: Applicants must have a professional qualification from a school approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).

*Physiotherapists: Applicants must have the necessary qualification to be eligible to be a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

*Speech and Language Therapists: Applicants must have the necessary professional qualification to be eligible to be a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapist (IASLT). All candidates will be interviewed.

Course Practicalities

The MSc in Evidence Based Therapy Practice may be taken full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration. Generally each 15 credit module requires attendance of five full days in UCC. Self-directed work is also expected.

Assessment

You are assessed differently in each module which is marked by internal and external examiners.