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The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s Professional Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Certificate in Obstetrics & Gynaecology is a nine-month online programme, delivered in conjunction with iheed.

Drawing on the expertise of national and international experts, the programme aims to improve the standard of obstetric and gynaecological care in Ireland and abroad. It provides learners with the skills and advanced knowledge required to enhance healthcare for women, with particular emphasis on pregnancy, menopause, and disorders of reproductive organs.

Who Is The Programme Aimed At?

The programme is aimed at general practitioners, family physicians and those considering or at the beginning of specialty training. It will also be of interest to nurses and midwives working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

What Will You Learn?

Obstetrics modules and topics include:

• • History taking, examination and communication
• • Physiology and Embryology
• • Anatomy
• • Drugs in Pregnancy
• • Early Pregnancy
• • Routine Antenatal Care
• • Antenatal complications
• • High risk/maternal medicine care
• • Labour and Birth
• • Postnatal Care

Gynaecology modules and topics covered include:

• • Disorders of menstruation
• • Contraception
• • Sexually Transmitted Infection, Vaginal discharge, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• • HRT & menopause
• • Infertility
• • Incontinence
• • Prolapse
• • Cervical and Endometrial cancers
• • Ovarian and vulval cancers

Human Factors modules and topics include:

• • Introduction to Systems Thinking and Human Factors
• • Patient Safety
• • Person (Professional) Factors
• • Work System Factors
• • Patient Factors
• • Work Process Factors
• • Measurement, Adaptation and Improvement
• • External Environment Factors

What To Expect?

This 9 month programme blends self-directed learning with tutor-led team-based learning. The course material has been designed by RCPI and is delivered online by iheed.

Throughout the course, you'll engage in:

• • Online self-guided content
• • Weekly online live tutorials
• • Tutor-moderated discussion forums
• • Interactive case studies
• • Reflective exercises
• • Online assessments

How Is The Programme Accredited?

The Programme is validated by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), and successful completion of this programme will lead to an RCPI award in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for all learners. 

 All graduating learners are entitled to receive the Professional Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Learners with an Irish Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) may select to receive the Certificate in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which is accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Irish-based learners may prefer the QQI-accredited option as it is a Level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications, while international learners must select the professional diploma. Both awards are valid for entry to MRCPI Part II exams and differ only in who is accrediting them. For further information about RCPI’s QQI accredited programmes please click here.

Please note that this only affects learners with a PPSN and that learners may only receive one award, not two. Learners must choose at the start of the programme which award they would like to receive and there is no option to change award midway through the programme due to learner insurance policies. 

Programme Learning Outcomes

On completion of this programme, participants will be able to:

• • Demonstrate expertise in the management of pre-pregnancy, antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care of obstetric patients with low levels of complexity
• • Have recognition of moderate and high levels of complexity in pre-pregnancy, antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care of obstetric patients, acknowledging own clinical limitations and when referral to specialist care is required
• • Demonstrate diagnostic and therapeutic skills for the delivery of ethical and effective obstetric and gynaecological healthcare to women
• • Establish therapeutic relationships with women using effective and sensitive communication skills
• • Demonstrate understanding of the relevant social and cultural issues that impact upon the provision of healthcare to women

Who Are iheed?

Dublin-headquartered iheed Health Training Limited is a successful medical education technology organisation that partners with medical universities and postgraduate training bodies to reach doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals all around the world. It delivers postgraduate medical qualifications for healthcare professionals that improve their ability to deliver healthcare while enhancing their career prospects and global mobility.

How To Register Your Interest

To register your interest, please click here.