MODULES

 

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7a

Module 7b

Module 8

Module 9

 

Module 1: Generic  Skills and Core Knowledge

This module provides the foundation knowledge and skills to progress to the subsequent modules.

You will develop an understanding of the basic science underpinning clinical endocrinology, together with the assessment of the endocrine patient and the principles and pitfalls of endocrine evaluation.

You will focus on the development of skills such as critical appraisal and experience in the purpose and application of evidence-based medicine. You will work on an approach to analysis of clinical cases, and think about how to write structured essays and reviews.

Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Overview of Endocrinology
  • How to read and appraise a paper
  • Clinical History and the Endocrine patient
  • Physical examination and endocrinology
  • Basic statistics and maths for science
  • Hormone synthesis and release
  • Mechanisms of hormone action
  • Hormone measurement – a 'how to' guide
  • How good is your test?
  • Principles of endocrine imaging
  • The patient journey - what you need to know
  • Basics of molecular biology
  • Gene regulation in endocrinology
  • Nuclear receptors
  • Evidence-based medicine in endocrinology
  • Designing and interpreting clinical studies
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Topic-based discussion boards
  • back to module list

    Module 2: Hypothalamus and Pituitary

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary.

    You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary and increase your knowledge of the common and important disorders.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Structure and function of the hypothalamus and pituitary
  • Physiology of the anterior pituitary
  • Physiology and pathology of the posterior pituitary
  • Pituitary Histopathology
  • Bedside aspects of pituitary dysfunction
  • Basal and dynamic testing
  • Pituitary tumours
  • Physiology and pathology of the GnRH axis
  • The GH axis
  • Acromegaly – diagnosis and management
  • GH deficiency and replacement
  • Traditional and new approaches to pituitary surgery
  • External beam radiotherapy and gamma knife surgery
  • Prolactinoma
  • Rare pituitary disorders
  • Genetics and pituitary dysfunction
  • Pituitary radiology
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
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    Module 3: Thyroid, Parathyroids and Bone

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of disorders of the thyroid, parathyroids and bone.

    You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of disorders of these endocrine organs and increase your knowledge of the common and important disorders.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Thyroid anatomy
  • Overview of thyroid physiology and pathology
  • Thyroid testing
  • Hyper and hypothyroidism
  • Thyroid disease and pregnancy
  • Thyroid imaging
  • Graves ophthalmopathy
  • Approach to the thyroid nodule
  • Thyroid surgery
  • Diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer
  • Diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid cancer
  • Disorders of calcium metabolism
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Management dilemmas in parathyroid disease
  • Vitamin D
  • Bone physiology
  • Osteoporosis
  • Metabolic bone disorders
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
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    Module 4: Reproductive, Pregnancy and Paediatric Endocrinology

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of reproductive endocrinology and pregnancy and endocrine disorders in childhood.

    You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of these disorders and increase your knowledge of the common and important conditions.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Physiology of puberty
  • Endocrinology of fertility and reproduction
  • Evaluating the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis
  • Menstrual disorders
  • Hirsutism
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Hormonal aspects of contraception
  • Gynecomastia – assessment and management
  • Male gonadal failure
  • Testosterone replacement
  • Endocrinology in gender dysphoria
  • Assessment and treatment of the infertile couple
  • Endocrinology of normal pregnancy
  • Endocrine disorders in pregnancy
  • Turner syndrome
  • Menopause and premature ovarian failure
  • Normal growth and development
  • Disorders of growth and development in childhood
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
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    Module 5: Metabolism, Energy Balance and Lipids

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of metabolism, energy balance and lipids.

    You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of disorders of these systems and increase your knowledge of the common and important conditions.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Water and sodium homeostasis
  • Disorders of potassium and magnesium balance
  • Acid-base disturbances
  • Brief review of fuel metabolism
  • Metabolism in starvation, feeding and exercise
  • Effects of critical illness on metabolism
  • Overview of lipid biology
  • Genetic dyslipidaemias
  • Secondary dislipidaemias
  • Lipids and vascular risk
  • Lipid-lowering therapies
  • Health economics of obesity
  • Regulation of appetite
  • Fat as an endocrine organ
  • Genetics of obesity
  • Assessment and management of the obese patient
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Endocrine sequelae of eating disorders
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
  • back to module list

    Module 6: Adrenal Cortex and Medulla

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of the functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.

    You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of disorders of the adrenal cortex and medulla and increase your knowledge of the common and important conditions.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology of the adrenal cortex
  • Glucocorticoid physiology
  • The glucocorticoid receptor and Glucocorticoid resistance
  • Investigating the adrenal axis
  • Adrenal imagingv
  • Approaches to adrenal surgery
  • Endocrine hypertension: investigations and management
  • Conn's syndrome
  • Cushing's syndrome: diagnosis, investigation, management
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Perioperative management of the adrenal patient
  • Steroid therapies – uses and cautions
  • The adrenal incidentaloma
  • Adrenocortical carcinoma
  • Phaeochromocytoma
  • Genetics, phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
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    Module 7a: Genetics, Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumours

    This is an elective module that is suitable for students interested in clinical endocrinology and endocrine oncology.

    The module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of the genetics and oncology as applicable to endocrinology. You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of endocrine disorders associated with cancers, many of which are genetically-determined and increase your knowledge of the common and important conditions.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Inherited endocrine syndromes
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia
  • Von-Hippel Lindau disease
  • Succinate dehydrogenase, phaeos and paragangliomas
  • Guidelines for screening and surveillance
  • Inherited syndromes of hormone resistance
  • Hormone physiology of the gut and pancreas
  • Neuroendocrine tumours  - features and histopathology
  • Diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumours
  • Imaging of neuroendocrine tumours
  • Carcinoid fibrosis
  • Tumour markers
  • Insulinoma diagnosis, localisation and treatment
  • Endocrine aspects of oncology
  • Late effects of oncology therapy
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
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    Module 7b: Clinical Chemistry

    This is an elective module that is suitable for students interested in clinical chemistry and / or laboratory aspects of clinical endocrinology. This module is recommended for trainees in metabolic medicine and clinical biochemistry although it may also interest some trainees in endocrinology and diabetes.

    The module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of clinical chemistry.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Laboratory techniques in clinical biochemistry and the indications for investigations, interpretation of results and limitations and pitfalls in lab techniques
  • Inborn errors of metabolism including carbohydrate and protein metabolism, lysosomal disorders and mucopolysaccharidoses
  • Priniciples of and indications for screening
  • Pathophysiology and evaluation of abnormalities of haem biosynthesis, porphyrias, red cell enzyme defects and other aspects of haematological chemical pathology
  • Pathophysiology, evaluation and investigation of disorders of copper metabolism
  • Use of biochemical markers in diagnosis and monitoring of disease including enzymes and proteins
  • Use of therapeutic drug monitoring and analytical toxicology and diagnosis and management of patients with poisoning including alcohol
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    Module 8: Diabetes Mellitus

    This module will cover some of the basic sciences, research techniques and clinical sciences underpinning the understanding of Diabetes Mellitus. You will look at the pathophysiology, investigation and management of Diabetes Mellitus and its complications and increase your knowledge of the common and important aspects.

    Learning Activity topics will include:

  • Diagnostic criteria / classification
  • Diet and education in Diabetes mellitus
  • Diabetes, pre-diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Current trials and evidence for glycaemic control
  • Oral hypoglycaemic agents
  • New and emerging therapies
  • Insulins, injection regimes and pumps
  • Diabetic emergencies
  • Diabetes and the eye
  • Diabetes and the kidney
  • Diabetic neuropathies
  • Diabetic gastroenteropathies
  • Macrovascular disease
  • The foot in diabetes
  • Diabetes in special circumstances
  • Diabetes, exercise and sport
  • Inpatient diabetes
  • Diabetes in pregnancy, in childhood and adolescence
  • HOT topics
  • 'Ask the expert'
  • Cases and discussion
  • back to module list

    Module 9: Dissertation

    On successful completion of the taught course, students who are eligible and who wish to, may apply to transfer to the MSc course.

    Option 1: This involves an additional independent research project. The project proposal, supervisor, host institution and funding arrangements are organised by the student in their own institution but must be approved by QMUL. The project will have additional oversight from a QMUL supervisor and will be completed by a dissertation.

    Option 2: This involves a dissertation based on a series of novel and interesting clinical case reports and related literature review.

     

    about us

     

    Queen Mary University of London is one of 24 leading UK universities represented by the Russell Group. Queen Mary's Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry has an unrivalled tradition of excellence in research and teaching. Barts Hospital was established in 1123 and 'The London' was the first medical school in England, founded in 1785. Today, we are in the top five research-led medical and dental schools in the UK. Barts and the London has an international reputation for excellence in endocrinology and Barts Health is now the largest NHS Trust in the UK.

    The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise results showed Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry joining Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and University College London in the top 5 medical and dental schools in England for quality of research. In the same exercise, the School was ranked first in London, ahead of University College, Imperial College and King's College.

    Endocrinology was assessed together with the Inflammation and Cardiovascular research groups of the William Harvey Research Institute. Within the assessment group we were ranked 3rd in the country with 65% of staff being rated 3*/4*.

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