Using a PhD for exemption from the Section C research project
If you already have a PhD, which is considered by the School to be both timely and relevant to your pathway through the programme, you may wish to use it for exemption from completing the Section C research project. However, this will mean that you will not gain the full DClinSci award and will still be required to complete the innovation component. It is likely that exemption from completing the research project will be granted for PhDs that are relevant to the trainee’s HSST specialty, or a related specialty, and were completed within the last 10 years.
To request exemption status from the Section C research project, you must email the following information to the School within the first 3 months of the programme:
- name and full contact details
- HSST specialty
- year of PhD award
- awarding university
- confirmation of award (e.g. certificate or letter from the awarding university)
- title of PhD
- PhD abstract in full
Use ‘HSST: C Research project exemption request’ as the subject title of your email and send your request to england.nshcs@nhs.net.
Innovation in Clinical Science component is compulsory for all trainees
Two key outcomes of the HSST is for trainees to demonstrate their ability in communicating complex science to a lay audience and to conceive innovation in healthcare science practice.
These elements are assessed by a required submission of a proposal which provides evidence of:
- critical reflection of the relevant literature
- consideration of barriers and enablers for potential implementation of the innovation
- presenting this to a lay audience
A full-scale research project with primary research is not essential as the requirements can be met through a business case or literature review, which is presented to a multi-professional panel.
Further details on how your University will register you for completing this component, based on your HSST pathway, is available on the MAHSE website.