Cost
Delivery method
Length of module
It runs over approximately 12 weeks
Estimated hours of study
400 hours
Academic credits and level
40 credits at level 7
Entry requirements
Only available for students enrolled on the MSc in Cancer Care or MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Cancer Care programmes.
Course availability
Register your interestCourse summary
This module will enable learners to consolidate their clinical expertise and combine this with leadership, education, and research skills to develop a service improvement project. This aims to have the potential to impact on service provision and patient care within their clinical area. The project will have an ‘applied theory’ focus and will use one or more approaches to study a particular area/subject. The project will give learners the opportunity to summarise, review, and critically analyse relevant theory and literature and will also demonstrate skills of independent inquiry, systematic reflection, critical analysis, synthesis, and problem solving.
The module will build on previous learning and learners will further develop the knowledge and skills acquired from undertaking the ‘Research Applied to Clinical Practice’ module, and enable learners to investigate a specific clinical question, through detailed, practice-based service improvement activity of either a literature review, quality improvement project or service evaluation. Work will demonstrate a critical investigation of the project rationale, design and conduct of the project and synthesise findings to demonstrate impacts for the learners’ cancer practice and/or service.
The aim of the Service Improvement module is to illustrate the depth of knowledge developed through the whole MSc Advanced Clinical Practice: Cancer Care and MSc Cancer Care pathways.
This module is in association with:
Entry Requirements
Please view the Admissions Policy before applying.
Key topics
- Developing a research/quality improvement question
- Academic writing skills
- Literature searching
- Critical appraisal
- Understanding audit, service evaluation and quality improvement
- Evidence synthesis
- Clinical leadership/changing practice
- Developing as a clinical academic
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:
Critically explore and reflect on an aspect of clinical practice by using a systematic approach to searching and critiquing the evidence base.
Identify an aspect of clinical practice and develop a robust clinically relevant question, aims and objectives to frame the Service Improvement Project.
Demonstrate the ability to design a Service Improvement Project that uses both analytical and creative approaches to problem solving, decision making, and clinical leadership.
Demonstrate the effective application of the most appropriate methodology for the study focus.
Effectively collect and performing a critical analysis of appropriate data/literature to answer the question, aims and objectives of the service improvement project.
Ability to write a robust report, incorporating coherent and well-argued conclusions from the project findings.
Critically explore the findings of the data in relation to the wider literature and develop a comprehensive list of recommendations to improve practice in future.
Dates
Seminars at The Royal Marsden School, Chelsea on: 14 February, 14 March, 13 June and 11 July 2025
Formative Presentations at The Royal Marsden School, Chelsea on either 15 or 16 May or on-line 23 May 2025
Submission date: 3 December 2025
Assessment
Service Improvement Project: 10,000 Words
Student support
Tutorials with the module leader or personal tutor are available if students require additional help with the planning and writing of their assignments. Email and telephone support are also available from the module leader/personal tutor.
The Royal Marsden School uses an online environment called Moodle which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources. Students also have access to the David Adams Library and Electronic Resource Centre.
To get the best from the live video-conferencing sessions and enable you to participate fully you should have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone. If you have any concerns or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.