Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine (PGDipMSM) is specifically aimed at medical practitioners in general primary care, trainees in associated specialist disciplines, and those wishing to commence training towards specialisation in Musculoskeletal Medicine. The diploma is available to students living and studying within New Zealand or Australia. It comprises ten papers taught over a minimum of two years, and includes both distance- and Internet-based theoretical teaching, and two practical 'hands-on', on-campus components.

The programme has been developed to reflect the expanding knowledge of pain control mechanisms, including advances in biomedical interventions and cognitive behavioural management. The academic components of the diploma are designed to provide an understanding and working knowledge of the structure, function, disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system; modern pain management methods; and scientific method and biostatistics.

The papers are clinically orientated, and practical clinical skills are taught in physical examination and musculoskeletal therapeutic modalities, including manual therapy and injection techniques, diagnostic interventions, and the psychosocial assessment of musculoskeletal pain problems.

Programme Requirements

Papers

• MSME 701 Clinical Diagnosis
• MSME 702 Musculoskeletal Tissues
• MSME 703 Musculoskeletal Disorders
• MSME 704 Introduction to Pain
• MSME 708 Introduction to Pain Management
• MSME 709 Clinical Therapeutics

Two of:

• MSME 705 Regional Disorders - Spine
• MSME 706 Regional Disorders - Limbs
• MSME 707 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• MSME 710 Recreational and Sports Injuries
• MSME 711 Pain Assessment

Note: Some papers may have an on-campus component.

Entry criteria

• Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School, which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to proceed to the programme.
• Every applicant shall have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School.
• Every applicant shall be registered for medical practice in the country in which the programme is taught.
• The holder of the Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Medicine can enrol within four years of completing the requirements for the certificate.

English Language Requirements: IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.