A group taking part in a WHO Collaborating Centre course

Key information

Dates: Available on demand

Department: Primary Care and Public Health

The Imperial WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training has developed an innovative Advanced Academic Training Course for medical and health professionals in academia worldwide.

The course encapsulates a variety of different skills and development disciplines, including communication skills, students' assessment, Masters and PhDs examinations and small-group learning. Modern teaching and research skills will be developed through interactive learning and hands-on experience through highly advanced skill labs, attending undergraduate students' clinical teachings in primary care, community and hospital settings.

Learning objectives

  • Candidates will be well versed with modern medical undergraduate teaching and problem-based-learning which are student-centred in class, community and clinical settings
  • Candidates will be familiar with the postgraduate educations (for a degrees level - Master and Doctorate of Philosophy PhD) and training for higher medical and surgical training programmes (Board / Membership level)
  • Candidates will be able to write a research proposal / protocol, submit proposals for funding, conduct a research programme, write a report / paper for publications, and disseminate the findings
  • Candidates will be able to use skill labs and computer simulations for modern teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, engaging students to enhance their skills and ensuring high level of competencies
  • Candidates will develop their leadership role in medical education, learn about modern management in medical schools including finance, governance and stewardship

Course structure

The programme is spread over four weeks and is a very interactive learning experience based on exercises, problem-solving and role play. The participants will be involved in:

  • Observing teaching activities and sessions in classes, skills labs, community and clinical settings
  • Attending early stage assessments, Master exams and PhD exams
  • Conducting Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Objective Structured Public Health Examination (OSPHE), Objective Structured Long Examination Record (OSLER), Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise, Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS), Mini-Peer Assessment Tool (Mini-PAT)
  • Setting up scenarios for Problem Based Learning
  • Use of modern library (including electronic access to literature, information and data)
  • Visiting clinical simulation centre and skill labs
  • Meeting students and academics
  • Assessing candidate's leadership styles
  • Assessing candidate's learning styles
  • Selected candidates are placed in the National Health Service to observe clinical work

Who should attend?

The course is aimed at medical and healthcare professionals with academic roles but is open to anyone who wishes to build capacity in different areas of teaching and other educational roles (both undergraduate and postgraduate level) including research methodology of the highest standards.


Please note:  This course is available on demand and is designed to be delivered to teams or organisations.