Online Learning Course Launched In Translational Medicine

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 12 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The first course of its kind in translational medicine is being launched at Edinburgh University.

The postgraduate online learning course is designed for professionals from a range of environments including those working in biotechnology, pharmacology or clinical medicine, in companies, health services, regulatory bodies or the academic sector.

The University of Edinburgh is the first institution to provide a course in translational medicine based on online distance learning. The course, which leads to a postgraduate certificate in translational medicine, lasts 9 months and involves between 12 and 15 hours of study each week.

Translational medicine is an emerging discipline which is fast changing the way medical innovations are developed and applied. Its "bench to bedside" approach aims to ensure that fundamental discoveries are transferred into clinical diagnosis and treatment, with professionals from different but related sectors working together.

In focussing on such a multidisciplinary approach, the course provides an understanding of issues ranging from new scientific methods in the laboratory, through new clinical imaging and measurement tools, to regulation, ethics, the design of clinical trials and patient needs.

Professor Brian Walker, Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Edinburgh and a leading clinical researcher said: "Today we have unprecedented insights into the mechanisms of disease at a molecular and cellular level, but we face major challenges in translating these insights into new bedside tests and treatments for our patients. Despite massive investment, the current model of drug development is not delivering the anticipated improvements in health care. Researchers in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, government and other funding agencies have all recognised that a new, multidisciplinary approach is required and have called this 'Translational Medicine'. This is an exciting time to be offering education in Translational Medicine for the next generation of researchers to prepare them to deliver improved health care.''

The course will use the University's award winning online learning environments with innovative video podcasts, web based discussion forum and expert tuition. Because of the global reach of online learning, it is aimed at both a UK and international audience.

Plans are also being made to extend the programme to Diploma and MSC levels.

Professor Joyce Tait, Director of the Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics (Innogen Centre) at the University of Edinburgh, said: "The Translational Medicine Course will give participants the range of skills needed to work more effectively within the complex environment of modern health care systems. It will bring together insights and practical skills from science and innovation, governance, regulation and ethical aspects of health care technologies, along with a better understanding of the role of advocacy groups in delivering benefits to patients."

The online programme for translational medicine is one of four new postgraduate online learning courses being launched by the University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. The other courses include forensic medicine and science, neuroimaging and surgical sciences. Online MSc courses in Health Administration (full-time) and Health Care Management (part time) are also being launched by the University's Management School.

http://www.transmed.ed.ac.uk

• Additional
• References
• Citations