MCR8036 : Clinical Research with Older People (E-learning)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Louise Southern
- Lecturer: Dr Alison Clapp
- Owning School: Pharmacy
- Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module presents state of the art knowledge and experience from clinical experts and researchers specialising in the health of older people. It is a critical review of the challenges and opportunities when performing clinical research involving older people. The module is appropriate for clinicians and non-clinicians alike. The aims are:
• To provide insight into the challenges and benefits of involving older people in clinical research, including hard to reach groups such as people with dementia and black and minority ethnic elders
• To increase awareness of appropriate strategies to improve recruitment of older people to clinical research studies in range of settings including hospital, care homes and clinical trial units
• To facilitate consideration of potential topics for future clinical research involving older people
Outline Of Syllabus
The background:
Why involving older people in clinical research is important
Reasons for under-representation of older people in clinical research
Ageism and attitudes towards older people
Ethics:
Ethical considerations when working with older people
Consent and capacity
Mental Capacity Act Legislation
Defining quality of life
Strategies to recruit older people:
Barriers to recruitment
Recruitment strategies
Communication and the physical environment:
Communicating with older people and carers
The physical environment
Planning and logistics
Patient and public involvement (PPI):
What is PPI?
PPI with older people
Research with older people in specific environments:
Acute care
Community settings
Research with "hard to reach" groups:
People with dementia
Black and ethnic minority elders
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 88 | 1:00 | 88:00 | Preparation of material for activities and completion of preparation of assessments. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Participation in activities such as discussion boards and assignments. |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Participation in activities. |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Participation in activities. |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Participation in group reflections on discussion boards. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Independent reading and literature review. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Online discussion and support at flexible times across the 12 weeks |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be delivered by e-learning via the Canvas VLE. The curriculum will be presented through a series of guided learning opportunities including links to written materials, e-based tutorials and discussion boards. The tutor will respond online to student activities to provide dynamic feedback, present alternative points of view and pose further questions.
Students will be directed to research and reading relevant to the curriculum and will be encouraged to seek examples of clinical research with older people relevant to their own professional background as independent study. Students will be guided to reflect on their learning using an online journal. Students will be able to interact with each other and share their knowledge via interactive tools such as the discussion board.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 40 | Critical appraisal of a clinical research study (1000 words) |
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 20 | Participation in collaborative e-learning activities such as discussion board. |
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 40 | Submission of recorded presentation - 15 minutes |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The critical appraisal test the student’s comprehension of strategies to recruit and retain older trial participants, their ability to critique trial design, and their ability to evaluate research data.
The oral presentation tests the student’s ability to synthesise information, present data (verbal and visual communication skills) and the level of their understanding of the subject in the context of a particular example.
A participation grade is included to encourage and reward the student's engagement with the collaborative activities. This includes reflection on peer experiences with older adults in clinical and research environments. Activities encourage consideration of the benefits of and barriers to the participation of older adults in clinical research.
Should a student fail the participation assessment and have to undertake a re-sit they will have to complete a different form of assessment. The student will be asked to look at 2 participation activities as identified by the module leader/team and submit a 500 word written summary (approx. 250 words per activity).
Formative assessment opportunities such as such as self-test questions are included in the e-learning material to encourage identification of learning needs and reinforce knowledge.
Students will submit their work for assessment via the Canvas VLE, and feedback given electronically.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCR8036's Timetable