Introduction

The Centre for Cutaneous Research (CCR), based at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has an international reputation for teaching and research in skin biology. In addition, there is a large group of full time clinical and non-clinical research scientists in the research laboratories within the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science. A major research programme has been in place for more than 20 years in collaboration with initially, St Andrew's Hospital Billericay, and more recently, Broomfield Hospital for research in Cell and Tissue Engineering and recently in the area of Stem Cell therapies. The CCR was the first to use laboratory-grown skin to treat burns and chronic wounds in the UK in the early 1980s. This has led to the establishment of research fellowships for many young Plastic surgeons and they have had success in acquiring higher degrees, and providing tissue engineered products to patients around London . As a result of this, the CCR has now established an academic group of Plastic surgeons, who have led the development of a novel Postgraduate Degree of the University of London in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

 

Who's who

Course Director

Mr Simon Myers PhD FRCS(Plast) (Clinical Senior Lecturer)

 

Course leads

Professor H Navsaria PhD

Mr Jim Frame FRCS(Plast),

Professor David Smith ( USA )

 

Contributors

Many UK plastic and aesthetic surgeons

 

The MSc AesPlastSurg Course

The Diploma course leads to a Postgraduate Degree from the University of London : MSc in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery .
 

It is a two-year, part-time, web-based distance-learning programme. The course is designed specifically to provide a core curriculum for established surgeons or surgical trainees, who wish to practice in the field of aesthetic surgery following completion of specialist training. The course starts in October and runs for two academic years.

 

Course content

This intensive course consists of a mixture of structured distance learning, video/theatre-based clinical teaching, and a dissertation. We cover the entire spectrum of aesthetic surgery with an emphasis on fundamental principles and instruction in a wide range of techniques.
 

Specific topics are covered in a total of eight modules, four per year, each with up to 10 teaching packages comprising:
 

On-line text, selected reading, self-assessments, and a discussion forum. Videos, cover products and techniques.
 

Clinical training days will be provided for up to four days, with video links to theatre and live discussions with the operating consultant. Candidates are also expected to gain additional experience by attending surgical centres locally.

 

Assessment

Each of the teaching packages includes a weekly assignment, of which 80 per cent must be successfully completed.
 

A 10,000-word dissertation must be submitted based on detailed analysis of five plastic surgery aesthetic patients.
 

An examination must be passed at the end of each academic year.

 

The modules

• Skin Physiology , covering normal biology and disease processes of skin together with the physiology of ageing
• Medicolegal and Psychiatric Aspects of Aesthetic Surgery , including consent and anaesthesia
• Implants and Biomaterials , studying the biology and surgical use of various implant materials including bone, cartilage and alloplasts
• Specialist Techniques including liposuction, tissue expansion, dermabrasion, lasers, peels, hair colour etc
• Aesthetic Surgery of the Head and Neck , covering diagnostic and surgical management for a wide variety of aesthetic deformities, and non-invasive aesthetic procedures
• Aesthetic Surgery of the Trunk and Breast to identify congenital and acquired disorders and their surgical management
• Research Methods & Ethics in Aesthetic Surgery

 

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements for the course are MBBS; MRCS (Part 2) or equivalent. Assessments are made only of those areas relevant to each specialty based on their arena of practice, and these areas are listed on the successful student certificate under the universal title MSc AesthPlastSurg.

 

For further information, please contact:

Ms Sam Matthew
Course Administrator
Centre for Cutaneous Research
Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
4 Newark Street
London E1 2AT

Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 7173
Fax: +44(0)20 7882 7171
email: s.matthew@qmul.ac.uk