Overview

The use of a blended learning approach will be adopted which utilises focused lectures, skills teaching and practice, workshops, on-line learning along with the clinical practice setting. This multifaceted approach provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills. You link with an appropriate clinical mentor to assist in the acquisition of skills pertinent to your individual needs.

Module aims

To develop a systematic understanding of headache pathophysiology, a critical awareness of current evidence related to headache disorders and analytical skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of headache disorders for patients and their families.

Entry requirements

All candidates will have a medical, nursing or AHP qualification and current registration with the appropriate professional body such as the General Medical Council; Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council. 

All candidates must be employed in a role which includes the assessment and management of headache disorders in primary or secondary care.

Candidates will normally have either a degree (at least second class honours) or equivalent professional qualification such as post graduate diploma and appropriate clinical experience.

Module content

• Pathophysiology
• Definition and international classifications of headache
• Knowledge of epidemiology
• Underlying aetiology – primary and secondary headache
• Headache assessment and management, including in defined populations – Children, older persons, female specific issues – contraception impact, pregnancy & menopause,
• National guidelines for headache disorders– NICE, BASH & SIGN in the UK
• Understand approach to treatment of patients with headache both pharmacological and non-pharmacological
• Use of devices - guidelines for use and when to consider patients
• Advanced therapies such as Cranial onobotulinum toxin type A, Anti CGRP- Monoclonal antibodies, GEPANTS and other new therapies
• Approaches to follow up and continued monitoring
• Understanding the psychological impact from a patient's point of view and their families
• Comorbidity management – Stroke & headache, Mental health disorders & headache, Pain syndromes, Analgesics & headache, Obesity & headache
• “Headache mythology” – Educating and correcting widespread, incorrect assumptions

Teaching and assessment

A blended learning strategy has been adopted to address the learning needs of a variety of students and make efficient use of renewable resources. It is intended that the following distribution be used: 

• Direct tutor contact will build on pre-session work utilising a range of approaches including:
  • Lectures (50 Hours)
  • Student led seminars (16 hours)
  • Practical skills sessions (20 Hours)
  • Personal tutorial time ( 4 hours) 
• Guided independent study (90 Hours)
• Clinical practice - work based learning independently (60 Hours) and with clinical mentor (60 Hours)