Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (GD-SPMED) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

Sports Medicine Theory & Practice

• Critically evaluate and synthesise information from a complex body of knowledge in the provision of advice, injury management, rehabilitation and training interventions to athletes of all ages and abilities
• Critically discuss principles and frameworks of professional and ethical practice in the sports health and exercise environment; integrating interdisciplinary practice models within own professional and ethical practice frameworks
• Critically integrate evidence in the provision of advice and promotion of safe physical activity participation in different sporting and population contexts
• Plan and manage independent learning and develop sustainable strategies for lifelong learning and reflective practice
• Critically utilise technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to advancement of practice in sports, health and exercise contexts

Clinical Practice in Context

• Design and implement advanced interdisciplinary clinical management plans for injury prevention, management, restoring optimal function, and the enhancement of sports performance
• Critically evaluate the scope of practice and expertise of other professionals, leading to appropriate referral, communication of information and a high standard of professional and ethical practice
• Research and organise evidence-based theory in clinical case management
• Integrate theory, evidence and clinical reasoning in astute clinical decision making in athletes of all ages and abilities in different sporting contexts
• Interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Evidence and Innovation

• Explain the application of research and evidence to clinical practice in the field of sports, health and exercise science
• Critically evaluate research methodology and evidence quality in the context of sports, health and exercise science
• Design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to advancement of practice in the sports, health and exercise context
• Analyse, synthesise and evaluate literature in addressing questions relevant to the management of the athlete

On completion of this course, students will have had the opportunity to develop the skills associated with:

• Designing, maintaining and presenting their evolving Sports Medicine Master Professional Development Portfolio
• Constructing, managing and evolving their professional development and career plan in accordance with Specific National Standards of practice, professional titling, identified opportunities and career goals
• Applying advanced knowledge of biological, social and medical sciences relevant to Sports Medicine to best-practice injury and case management
• Advanced understanding, application and monitoring of the processes of clinical reasoning and the need to develop strategies of expert reasoning
• Providing evidence-based advice and education to athletes and other professionals regarding the optimal activity or sport for specific individuals and the ways in which they can minimise risk of injury and promote health
• Critically evaluating their practice in relation to new information, promoting the appropriate application of new knowledge and innovations in multidisciplinary practice and decision-making processes
• Communicating and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team and all involved parties in case management