Remote Medicine

Learn about human responses to extreme environments and its relevance to the planning and provision of evidence-based healthcare in remote environments

Enquiries

Course Coordinator

Jennifer Haley
remotemedicine@imperial.ac.uk

Introduction to BSc Remote Medicine

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Introduction to BSc Remote Medicine
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Introduction

The BSc in Remote Medicine introduces you to new concepts and areas of medicine that you’ve probably never been exposed to in your medical school career thus far.

The intercalated BSc programmes at Imperial aim to develop the next generation of clinicians and academics with the ability to interpret the scientific literature, informing your practice in any environment, rural or remote location.

The 1-year course comprises a core teaching module, an independent learning and group assessment module, and a 14-week research project.

 Aims and Objectives

 By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Critically appraise a wide variety of academic literature and understand the importance of applying research skills in clinical medicine
  • Explain the physiological changes that occur in a variety of extreme environments
  • Discuss the challenges and considerations of providing healthcare in a variety of remote environments
  • Understand the importance of non-technical skills in successful teams and clinical medicine more broadly
  • Confidently present scientific information to different audiences, through various communication methods

 Programme Structure

Programme Structure

Module 1

Module 1 - The Taught Module

Module 1 is a 12-week teaching block. It takes you through the key areas of:

  • The responses of the human body to extreme environments
  • The unique challenges of these environments to healthcare delivery
  • New and emerging technologies in remote medicine

This is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, journal clubs, group work, field trips, and self-guided learning.

Module 2

Module 2 - Self-Directed Learning

Module 2 is a 5-week block. In Module 2, you will apply knowledge you gain to clinical scenarios, exploring the evidence behind new clinical presentations and concepts introduced in module 1. You will also complete a group writing task, reviewing the evidence in an area from the course.

Module 3

Module 3 - Research Project

Module 3 uses the skills learnt in Modules 1 and 2 to carry out a novel 14-week project on a theme from the course, offering an opportunity to make a genuine impact on your field of choice.

 Why Remote Medicine?

The course is delivered as a distinctive programme that enhances your understanding through immersion in these environments;

During field trips and practical sessions, you will explore your own responses and behaviours as well as seeing how patients are treated in these environments.

Clinical scenarios allow you to put in to practice your new knowledge and existing skills in novel scenarios.

The course also supports an Extreme Environments Lab, with the ability to expose students and participants to cold and hypoxia in a controlled setting.

Meet the Remote Medicine Team

 

Course Director: Dr Andrew Cowburn
Module 1 Lead: Professor Claire Shovlin
Module 1 Assessment Lead: Dr Tamlyn Peel
Module 2 Literature Review Lead: Dr Pankaj Bhavsar
Module 2 Science in Context Lead: Dr Louit Thakuria
Module 3 Lead: Dr Tamlyn Peel

 

Eligibility

This is a one-year intercalated BSc. To be eligible to apply you must:

  • Be registered on a recognised Medical, Dental or Veterinary course at a UK or Irish university.
  • Have completed at least one year of that course before you apply to Imperial. i.e. you must be at least in Year 2 in 2023/24.
  • Have at least one year of your degree left when you return to your home institution after completing your intercalated BSc.

Application Process

The application deadline for 2023-24 entry has now passed. The application process for 2024-25 entry will open in October. The application deadline will be 16:00 on Friday 1 March 2024.

Selection is based on your application form and the supporting documents you will upload with your application. Please find further information about the application process in the downloadable Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2023-24 entry (PDF).

If you have any queries about the application process, please email the Faculty Education Office (BSc Team) at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.

Second Round of Applications

Unsuccessful or wait-listed applicants will be given the opportunity to make a second application to any BSc course with space remaining.

 Frequently Asked Questions 

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition fee rates are the same as the Imperial College London MBBS Course. Further information can be found here.

Yes! Please contact the BSc Remote Medicine Course Co-ordinator, Jen Haley (remotemedicine@imperial.ac.uk), who will be happy to put you in touch with a current student.

We set 10 course spaces aside for intercalating students from other universities.

Our course capacity is 26. 16 spaces will be filled by internal Imperial students and 10 spaces are filled by external intercalating students.

We usually receive 40 - 50 applications for 10 course spaces.

We consider all applications after the deadline (16:00 on Friday 3rd March 2023) and we aim to respond to applicants by the end of March.

No! The course is designed without any prerequisites. Those with no experience will be supported in their introduction to the outdoors, while those with experience will be able to take on other responsibilities.

For field trips you will need basic personal equipment to be comfortable in the outdoors. A kit list and help selecting kit will be provided, as well as advice on cheap suppliers.

While it is possible to propose your own project if you have existing research support, this needs to be raised with the Module 3 lead before the course starts to ensure the relevant regulations are adhered to for the degree.

The projects provided on Remote Medicine often allow for significant student input in the direction of the work, which is often what interests students. In addition, this is just the start of your research journey and so concentrate on gaining the skills you need to make an impact in the future!

Every student is capable of doing well and is supported to do so by the course staff. However consider that, beyond a good grade, the unique skills you gain will allow you to think outside the box and may take your career to new places.