Course Details

Course Code(s):
PDPIHRTPAD
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Autumn/Fall
Course Start Date:
September
Duration:
1 Year
Award:
Professional Diploma
Faculty: Education and Health Sciences
Course Type: Taught, Professional/Flexible
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Contact(s):

Name: Public & Patient Involvement Research Unit
Address: School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX Email: ppi-ignite@ul.ie Telephone: +353 (0) 61 234850

Brief Description

The Professional Diploma in Public & Patient Involvement in Health Research is intended for existing research or clinical professionals who are seeking the additional qualification (knowledge, competencies and skills) to employ meaningful PPI in their research. It is also relevant for professionals working in NGOs, as well as health service planners.

Public & patient involvement (PPI) in health research has been defined as research carried out 'with' or 'by' members of the public rather than 'to', 'about' or 'for' them. High quality PPI is about active and meaningful engagement with patients, carers, health care professionals, charities, community organisations and other members of the public throughout all stages of the research process.

This Professional Diploma in Public & Patient Involvement in Health Research is intended for existing research or clinical professionals who are seeking the additional knowledge, competencies and skills to employ meaningful PPI in their research. It is also relevant for professionals working in NGOs as well as health service planners. 

Over the course of this part-time, one-year, Level-9 programme, students become acquainted with the theories, methods and tools they will need to undertake high quality PPI research. This will include a comprehensive survey of literature and methods, exploration of participatory approaches within a wide variety populations and clinical and community settings, and critical consideration of ethical, power and equity issues inherent in this approach.

The general flow for the programme is online weekly asynchronous assignments (ie, at your own pace, but completed by the end of each week). This is punctuated by 1-2 online synchronous periods per module, where students all come together (online) for 2 hours to do an exercise. And once per month, there is the live (online) tutorial session for working together on progressing your research projects and dealing with any issues that arise (“PPI Club”).

There are two in-person/on-campus training blocks, one in the Autumn and one in the Spring/Summer to coincide with the PPI Summer School. The Autumn block is 2 days (Thurs-Fri) on campus in week 7. The Spring Summer block will be 4 days, 2 for methods, 2 for the Summer School. These will be Tues-Fri, 18-21 June 2024.

This programme is practical, offering students the opportunity to design a participatory/PPI project over the course of the year. This allows students to experience the building of partnerships with PPI contributors and codesigning research within a meaningful collaboration. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have equipped themselves with the knowledge, competencies and skills they will need to succeed at a career in PPI health research.

The Professional Diploma Programme is delivered as a blended learning course, with the majority of learner interaction taking place online, both synchronously (together) and asynchronously (at their own pace). This is punctuated with one on-site training block in Limerick in each semester (total of 2 blocks). Engagement with patient and community voices throughout the course (via co-designed content and co-delivered lectures and workshops) will offer students a unique and relevant opportunity to ‘learn as they will practice’ in collaboration with those their research will ultimately benefit. Students will bring their real-world research or clinical problems to the programme and will, throughout the course of the programme, co-develop participatory, patient/community-involved solutions.

 

Year 1

 

Autumn Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

BM5053- INTRODUCTION TO PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH FOR PUBLIC & PATIENT INVOLVEMENT (6.00 ECTS)

BM5056- METHODS IN PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH II (6.00 ECTS)

BM6033- PUBLIC AND PATIENT INVOLVEMENT TRAINING SCHOOL (3.00 ECTS)

BM5055- METHODS IN PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH I (3.00 ECTs)

BM6032- ADVANCED PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH (6.00 ECTS)

 

BM5054- PPI RESEARCH PROJECT AND TUTORIAL (6.00 ECTS)

 

Applicants must normally have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject, or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement. Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University. Garda Vetting required only in cases where individual proposed practicum involves children or vulnerable communities. The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants as deemed necessary.

What to include with your application

  • Qualification transcripts and certificates
  • A copy of your birth certificate or passport (long document)
  • If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice

  • If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
    • English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
    AND
    • English language competency certificate

    For more information Click Here

EU: €4,000 per annum

Non EU: €8,000 per annum

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.