Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Worldwide, two-thirds of the deaths of children under five are caused by infectious diseases, and the prevention and treatment of infections in children is the number one priority for global health. Professionally oriented education in paediatric infectious diseases is therefore essential in the training of clinicians and clinical academics who will provide future leadership in this key area.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Infectious Diseases is a one-year, part-time programme taught primarily online with a residential element. The course draws on world-class research and teaching in paediatric infectious diseases and provides you with an in-depth understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of paediatric infection. It also places the practice of paediatric infectious diseases in the broader context of applied sciences such as pathogenesis, population biology and epidemiology.
Students who successfully complete the PGCert in Paediatric Infectious Diseases may choose to go on to complete a postgraduate diploma by applying for the second year of the PGDip course.
Who is this course for?
The PGCert will appeal to doctors who are training in general paediatrics and also those trainees in paediatrics who have an interest in specialist knowledge in the field of paediatric infectious diseases – for example, those training for the RCPCH paediatric infectious diseases special interest (SPIN) module or planning/undertaking subspecialty training. It is also suitable for GPs with an interest in paediatric infectious diseases.
Course aims
The programme will provide students with:
- Knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles of paediatric infectious diseases, and of the way in which those principles have developed.
- An ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in the real world of paediatrics.
- Knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in paediatric infectious diseases and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems.
- An understanding of the limits of your knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.
- Qualities and transferable skills necessary for your future career in paediatrics and infectious diseases.
At the end of the programme, students will know and understand how to:
- Use your broad knowledge of paediatric infectious diseases in your practice and find the necessary resources when you have reached your limit of knowledge.
- Understand how to find evidence-based information to facilitate rational decision-making in diagnosis and management of children with infection.
- Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis about paediatric infection, in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Undertake further training, develop existing skills, and acquire new competencies that will enable you to assume significant responsibility within organisations.
SYLLABUS
- Infectious syndromes
- Diagnostics, therapeutics, infection control and prevention
- Important viral infections
The course directs students through the syllabus required in Europe for clinical training in the subspecialty. The programme is appropriate for both those in the UK and overseas.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Infectious Diseases course is supported by the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) and the Infection and Immunity in Children Conference (IIC) Oxford.
IT requirements
This course uses the Department’s online assignment submission system. In order to prepare and submit your course assignments, you will need access to the internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification. Students of this course may use the student computing facilities provided in Departmental buildings.
Staff
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Sir Andrew Pollard
Ashall Professor of Infection & Immunity
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Simon Drysdale
Senior Vaccine Clinical Trials Paediatrician
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Dominic Kelly
BRC Consultant in Paediatrics and Vaccinology.
dominic.kelly@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk
+44 (0)1865 857420
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The tutors on this course are all leading academics in the field.
Course structure
The paediatric infectious diseases programme is normally completed within one year and follows this schedule (dates may change):
From September: a one-year online modular course in paediatric infectious diseases which covers the full syllabus outlined on this page, with online tutor support and student discussion forums.
June/July (both Year 1 and Year 2): a residential course in Oxford with Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC).
Students will also be strongly encouraged to engage in the following:
September*: PENTA course for PentaTr@ining: ‘HIV and Other Congenital Infections,’ a consolidating three-day residential workshop held in Rome.
From April to July*: online PENTA course for PentaTr@ining: ‘HIV and Other Congenital Infections,’ consisting of six in-depth and interactive modules.
Monthly ESPID online case rounds.
Online self-assessment questions (SAQs), offered as part of examination preparation.
*The PENTA course runs every other year.
Applying for this course
Please visit the Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Infectious Diseases page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course entry requirements, fees and costs.
Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. Here you can also find a guide on how to apply.
All applications must have been fully completed before the application deadline in order to be considered. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an MS Teams interview.
If you would like to discuss the course, please get in touch:
- Tel: +44 (0)1865 286946
- Email: pid@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk