Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Drawing on world-class research and teaching in paediatric infectious diseases, this programme offers a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of the principles that underpin paediatric infection, the ways in which those principles have developed, and to translate this understanding into good clinical and research practice.
About this course
The Postgraduate Diploma is a two-year, part-time course taught via a blend of online and residential components. The programme forms a valuable part of doctors’ postgraduate medical training and has been designed to direct students through the syllabus required in the EU for clinical training in the subspecialty, but will also be appropriate for those outside the EU. Please visit the website for further information.
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
At the end of the Programme students will know and understand how to:
- Use your broad knowledge of paediatric infectious disease in your practice and have learned where to 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 competences that will enable you to assume significant responsibility within organisations
- Qualities and transferable skills necessary for your future career in paediatrics and infectious diseases
Course content
Worldwide, two thirds of the deaths in children under five years of age are caused by infectious diseases, and the prevention and treatment of infections in children is the number one priority for global health.
Reflecting this imperative, we recognise that investment in research and intervention programmes related to leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, including acute respiratory infections, measles, infectious diarrhoea, malaria, HIV, and TB is vitally important. We believe that professionally-oriented education in paediatric infectious diseases is essential in the training of clinicians and clinical academics who will provide the future leadership in this key area for global health.
The Postgraduate Diploma also places the practice of paediatric infectious diseases in the broader context of applied sciences, such as pathogenesis, population biology and epidemiology. The Programme focuses on clinical (applied) aspects, underpinned by basic science to provide both breadth and depth.
Syllabus
- Infectious Syndromes
- Therapeutics and Infection Control
- Epidemiology, Immunity and Immunization
- Bacterial Infections
- Viruses
- Imported and Tropical Diseases and Mycobacterial Infection
- Congenital and Neonatal Infection, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Parasitic Disease
- The Immunocompromised Host
- Fungal Infection
The course directs students through the syllabus required in the EU for clinical training in the subspecialty. The Programme will also be appropriate for those outside the EU.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases is supported by the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID), the Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS (PENTA), and the IIC Course: Oxford.
Applying for this course
Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. Here you can find further information about the course including the entry requirements and fees, and a guide on how to apply.