The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Medicine (PgDCCM) is a highly specialised qualification designed for experienced healthcare professionals who wish to advance their expertise in the management of critically ill patients. This programme is not intended for fresh candidates but is aimed at learners with prior clinical experience who seek to enhance their career prospects, broaden their knowledge base, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Critical care medicine plays a vital role in modern healthcare, encompassing the assessment, monitoring, and management of patients with life-threatening conditions across intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments, and specialised hospital settings. This postgraduate diploma equips learners with advanced knowledge of physiological monitoring, organ support, pharmacology, and evidence-based interventions essential for effective critical care practice. Learners will also develop competencies in clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary teamwork, and ethical considerations in high-pressure healthcare environments.
Centres delivering this qualification must ensure they have competent and highly qualified staff with expertise in critical care medicine, along with access to up-to-date learning materials, simulation facilities, clinical resources, and digital platforms. This ensures that learners benefit from a high-quality training environment that supports both academic achievement and practical proficiency.
The PgDCCM is internationally recognised and valued for its rigorous standards and relevance to advanced clinical practice. Learners completing this qualification will be well positioned to take on senior roles in intensive care units, emergency care, hospital management, research, and education, making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and the advancement of critical care services globally.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Medicine (PgDCCM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2200973
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Medicine (PgDCCM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200973-1 |
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology in Critical Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200973-2 |
Monitoring and Assessment in Critical Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200973-3 |
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Support |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200973-4 |
Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Critical Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200973–5 |
Ethical, Legal, and Organisational Aspects of Critical Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200973-6 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology in Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the physiological and pathological mechanisms underlying critical illness.
- Analyse the processes of organ dysfunction, shock, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.
- Apply advanced pathophysiological knowledge to clinical assessment and decision-making.
- Assess the impact of systemic diseases on patient outcomes in critical care settings.
Unit 2: Monitoring and Assessment in Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced skills in monitoring critically ill patients using invasive and non-invasive techniques.
- Critically interpret physiological data to inform timely clinical interventions.
- Apply assessment strategies to support early detection of deterioration and improve patient safety.
- Evaluate monitoring technologies and their limitations in ICU practice.
Unit 3: Respiratory and Cardiovascular Support
Learners will be able to:
- Critically analyse respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies and their management in critical care.
- Apply mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, and haemodynamic support principles effectively.
- Evaluate advanced interventions for respiratory and cardiovascular failure.
- Integrate evidence-based strategies into patient care plans in ICU settings.
Unit 4: Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Critically assess pharmacological principles and drug therapies relevant to critically ill patients.
- Analyse the use of sedation, analgesia, and other therapeutics in ICU settings.
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies to optimise patient outcomes.
- Evaluate potential adverse effects and interactions of critical care medications.
Unit 5: Ethical, Legal, and Organisational Aspects of Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate ethical and legal frameworks in critical care practice.
- Apply principles of patient safety, professional responsibility, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
- Assess organisational structures and policies to improve ICU efficiency and patient care.
- Integrate ethical and legal considerations into complex clinical decision-making.
Unit 6: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Design and conduct research projects relevant to critical care medicine.
- Critically appraise scientific literature and apply findings to clinical practice.
- Apply statistical and analytical methods to evaluate outcomes and inform evidence-based interventions.
- Demonstrate professional communication and reporting skills for research dissemination.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Medicine (PgDCCM) is specifically designed for experienced healthcare professionals aiming to advance their skills, career prospects, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This programme is ideal for:
- Medical doctors and clinicians working in intensive care units (ICUs), emergency medicine, or acute care.
- Critical care nurses and advanced practitioners seeking to enhance their knowledge of complex patient management and life-support interventions.
- Healthcare professionals and practitioners involved in the management of critically ill patients in hospital or specialised care settings.
- Biomedical and clinical scientists engaged in critical care research or diagnostic support for acute conditions.
- Healthcare leaders and managers responsible for ICU operations, patient safety, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
- Academics and educators in critical care or acute medicine aiming to update and expand their clinical and teaching expertise.
- Experienced professionals committed to CPD and lifelong learning in advanced clinical care, critical care management, and acute medicine.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Medicine (PgDCCM) must maintain the highest academic and clinical standards to ensure learner success and high-quality training. Key requirements include:
- Qualified and Experienced Faculty
- Centres must employ trainers, lecturers, and assessors with advanced qualifications in critical care medicine, acute medicine, intensive care, or related health disciplines.
- Staff must demonstrate substantial professional experience in ICU management, emergency care, or acute patient services.
- Clinical and Simulation Facilities
- Access to fully equipped intensive care units, high-fidelity simulation labs, and practical training environments.
- Facilities must comply with health and safety regulations and support advanced critical care skill development.
- Up-to-Date Learning Resources
- Provision of current textbooks, journals, digital resources, and research databases relevant to critical care medicine.
- Access to e-learning platforms and interactive materials to enhance learner engagement.
- Robust Quality Assurance
- Centres must have systems to monitor teaching quality, assessment integrity, and learner progress.
- Regular evaluation of course delivery to maintain compliance with international Level 7 standards.
- Learner Support Services
- Academic guidance, mentoring, and career development support throughout the programme.
- Administrative assistance to ensure learners successfully complete their qualification.
- Commitment to CPD and Innovation
- Centres must encourage Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for both staff and learners.
- Course delivery should integrate the latest research, evidence-based practices, and innovations in critical care medicine.
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Centres must adhere to the highest ethical, academic, and professional standards in all aspects of programme delivery.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
