Why join this course?
The module is aimed at healthcare professionals who are involved in the management of musculoskeletal conditions and aim to use joint and soft-tissue injections as part of their clinical practice.
The module delivers the skills and knowledge required for practitioners to competently undertake joint and soft tissue injections as part of their clinical practice, and critically appraise the role of injection therapy in the management of complex musculoskeletal scenarios.
This will allow practitioners to advance their practice as independent injectors and develop their roles within clinical and private practice.
Audience
This credit bearing module is suited to physiotherapists, doctors, GPs, nurses, podiatrists, hand therapists, paramedics and orthopaedic, rheumatology, SEM trainees.
Course description
The aim of this Level 7, 15 credit injection therapy module is to enable practitioners from relevant healthcare professions to develop the skills and knowledge to:
- critically debate and evaluate the role of injection therapy in the management of complex musculoskeletal scenarios
- safely and effectively incorporate injection therapy into their clinical practice
- collaborate effectively with patients to provide the best evidence-based care in musculoskeletal contexts.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy relevant to soft tissue and joint injections.
- Be able to clinically reason and evaluate the need for intervention with injection therapy.
- Demonstrate advance soft tissue assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Understand and discuss the contraindications for injections.
- Understand and discuss safety techniques involve in injection administration.
- Be able to carry out safely injection and aspiration procedures in joints and soft tissues.
Curriculum content
Theory sessions
- Current evidence in injection therapy, including review of clinical guidelines.
- Clinical pharmacology of Corticosteroids and Local anaesthetics
- Choosing the most effective dose
- Other injection therapy options e.g. hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet rich plasma (PRP)
- Legal framework including PSD, PGD and IP, consent
- Anatomy relevant to common treatments
- Adverse event management e.g. anaphylaxis
- Critical appraisal of research evidence
- Alternative treatments
Practical sessions
- Handle, draw-up and prepare the injections
- Needle proprioception
- Supervised consultation, assessment and treatment of demo models
- Developing safe and effective technique of injections.
Pre-requisites
- Registration with the appropriate professional body
- A minimum of 3 years post-registration experience
- To hold a current position that will allow completion of supervised injections in a clinical setting
- Have an approved supervisor which could include a doctor, physiotherapist, qualified injection practitioner.
Teaching
The module will be held on Tuesdays, 11, 18, 25 March and 1, 8, 15 April 2025. Teaching will take place onsite from 9am to 5pm.
Assessment
OSCE Examination (100%) and Portfolio – consisting of 10 supervised injections and short essay (pass/fail).
Certification
This is a credit bearing standalone module. After successful completion of the assessment, students will receive a transcript for 15 credits at Level 7.