Risk Management & Quality

The MSc Dissertation Module will consist of a major thesis (strictly 15-20,000 words only) dealing with a specialist medico-legal/clinical risk management issue. It may be suggested that the student substantially expand the pilot project examined at Graduate Diploma level or initiate a completely new thesis subject matter.



What will I learn



Apply knowledge acquired to the improvement of patient safety and care, to the prevention and management of legal claims and to healthcare delivery in general. The qualification may also be suitable to those in the fields of claims management.



Communicate effectively in writing, orally and by visual presentation to be able to present ideas at all levels of a medical enterprise from lower staff to corporate management.



Demonstrate a knowledge of the areas of: Fitness to Practice and Professional Regulation; Practical aspects of expert witness and evidence in litigation and at Hearings.



Demonstrate a knowledge of the areas of: clinical risk management and risk management in practice; Issues of patient safety and quality; Introduction to the legal system; medical negligence; Health & Safety Issues in Healthcare and Patient safety



Demonstrate and possess knowledge and a detailed understanding of the main aspects of medico-legal theory and practice and an understanding of the basic aspects of clinical risk management and an understanding of the theories of patient safety, human factors and quality



Demonstrate skills that will provide the basis for participation in clinical risk management and risk management committees and for further training as a risk / patient safety advisor/manager.



Demonstrate the ability to cogently listen, interpret, discuss and debate, vocally and in writing and research issue/s in relation to medico-legal issues within a healthcare setting.



Possess a speciality and advance their expertise in the field of clinical risk management and patient safety through the research and production of a major thesis dealing with a specialist medico-legal/clinical risk management/patient safety issues



Possess and demonstrate a knowledge of areas of: privacy; Beginning and end of life issues; Medical research; Medico-ethical aspects of law and medical ethics; Medical Litigation Issues: Plaintiff and Defendant perspectives; Death reporting and Coroner's issues.



Possess the ability for effective communication skills in the medical workplace in general, as between the doctor and patient and in other settings such as the courtroom when involved with or as an expert medical witness.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

FLME40090 Healthcare (Risk Management) Dissertation I 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) 30

FLME40040 Risk Management and Quality: Semester 1 Taught (SMED40040) Autumn 15

FLME40050 Risk Management and Quality: Semester 2 Taught



(SMED40050) Spring 15

FLME40140 Risk Management & Quality: Professional Project Summer 30

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

1 Year part-time.

Commencing September 2025

Career Opportunities

This course is of particular value for those professionals who wish to further specialise and advance their expertise in the field of clinical risk management and patient safety, especially within the industry of healthcare and allied professions.