Austere Critical Care is the specialised and comprehensive care of acutely unwell casualties located in remote, austere and resource-limited environments with life-threatening conditions. This Masters programme will explore the assessment and management of critically unwell casualties and is designed for the experienced doctor, nurse or paramedic working in intensive care medicine in remote or austere conditions.
It is intended to provide you with the skills to advance your knowledge in this speciality. You will learn the necessary skills to provide advanced critical care in urban, remote, and rural environments.
The programme taught and modular components will introduce the complex nature of caring for a critically ill casualty, the evaluation of the acute or critically unwell patient from an evidence-based perspective from the point of injury through the discharge of the casualty.
The programme assessment is structured to allow you to evaluate the topic concerning your personal practice and professional experience. You will also be encouraged to spend time in the ICU at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro with KCMC hospital. With prior approval, students can also apply for their ICU placement at a location of their choice.
Hands-on classroom-based scenarios: ACC703 and ACC705 have classroom components in Pretty Bay, Malta. Students will spend seven days putting their online learning into practice. This allows the student to convert the ‘Head Knowledge’ into ‘Hand Knowledge’.
Click here to listen to two current MSc ACC students talk about their experience on the programme.
Here is a link to Identity Malta’s VISA requirement for third-country nationals. https://www.identitymalta.com/unit/central-visa-unit/
Start dates are 1 September, 1 January and 1 May each year.
Programme Name: Postgraduate Certificate in Austere Critical Care
Accreditation: Malta Further and Higher Education Authority
Credits: 30 ECTS
Qualification or Award: Qualification
Programme duration: 12-15 months part-time, 6-8 months full-time
Target Audience: 25-65+
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (MQF/EQF L6)
- Associate degree (MQF/EQF L5 ) with at least three years of experience as a healthcare provider.
- More information can be found in the programme specification link below.
Target Group: Health care professionals
Language of instruction: English
If English is not your first language, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or more.
MQF/EQF Level: 7
Mode of delivery: Online learning
Hours of Total Learning: 750
Tuition Fees: Euro €2700
Next intake: 1 September, 1 January, 1 May
The full programme specifications can be downloaded here.
Required Modules
ACC701 Critical Care Basics: Concepts, Interventions
This module provides the knowledge of complex pathophysiology on which the assessment and management of critically ill patients are based. Content areas include concepts of tissue oxygenation; organ perfusion; breathing and oxygenation, circulation; regulation of metabolic status and homeostasis; regulated and dysregulated immune responses. The module will build a strong foundation for further clinical studies in critical care.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC702 Intensive Care for Resource-limited Environments
This module discusses the knowledge and competencies needed to provide intensive care for the critical casualty located in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.
Content areas include early assessment and management of the critical casualty, sepsis, acute kidney injury, airway and respiratory emergencies, advanced techniques for physical examination of the acute casualty, clinical decision making, communications, pharmacological options for the critical casualty, documentation and assessment-based management.
Additional topics will include managing resource limitations, resource allocation, triage, and ethical implications.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC706 Intensive Care in Tropical Environments
This module aims to introduce the concepts of the practice of intensive care medicine, specifically for tropical medicine ailments and diseases, as well as providing critical care in remote and austere conditions. It begins with the top ten infectious diseases found in tropical regions and expands to cover various treatments and procedures that are needed whilst working in tropical environments.
Programme Name: Postgraduate Diploma in Austere Critical Care
Accreditation: Malta Further and Higher Education Authority
Credits: 60 ECTS
Qualification or Award: Qualification
Programme duration: 24-30 months part-time, 12-16 months full-time
Target Audience: 25-65+
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (MQF/EQF L6)
- Associate degree (MQF/EQF L5 ) with at least three years of experience as a healthcare provider.
- More information can be found in the programme specification link below.
Target Group: Health care professionals
Language of instruction:
English. If English is not your first language, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or more.
MQF/EQF Level: Level 7
Mode of delivery: Blended learning
Hours of Total Learning: 1500
Tuition Fees: €5400
Next intake: 1 September, 1 January, 1 May
The full programme specifications can be downloaded here.
Required Modules:
ACC701, ACC702, ACC703, ACC705, ACC706
One Elective Module:
ACC704, ACC707, ACC708
Programme Modules
ACC701 Critical Care Basics: Concepts, Interventions
This module provides the knowledge of complex pathophysiology on which the assessment and management of critically ill patients are based. Content areas include concepts of tissue oxygenation, organ perfusion, breathing and oxygenation, circulation, regulation of metabolic status and homeostasis, and regulated and dysregulated immune responses. The module will build a strong foundation for further clinical studies in critical care.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC702 Intensive Care for Resource-limited Environments
This module discusses the knowledge and competencies needed to provide intensive care for the critical casualty located in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.
Content areas include early assessment and management of the critical casualty, sepsis, acute kidney injury, airway and respiratory emergencies, advanced techniques for physical examination of the acute casualty, clinical decision making, communications, pharmacological options for the critical casualty, documentation and assessment-based management.
Additional topics will include managing resource limitations, resource allocation, triage, and ethical implications.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC703 Core Critical Care Skills
This module provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patients, practical skills to apply and interpret critical care monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide basic critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes skill stations for structured patient assessment, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non- technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC704 Aeromedical and Critical Care Transport
This module provides the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe transport for critically ill patients both via land and aeromedical retrieval service. The module content includes the knowledge and discussion of the principles of aeromedical transport, including its effects in physiology and the skills of preparing patients for transport as well as monitoring and managing critically ill patients within the confined space during transport. The online module will give the theoretical background for further studies and learning technical and non-technical skills during subsequent classroom teaching and clinical placements.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC705 Advanced Critical Care Skills for Austere Environments
This module provides the advanced knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patient specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. Practical hands on skills will be taught that apply and interpret critical care assessment and advanced monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes advanced skill practice during structured patient assessments, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, procedural ultrasound, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non-technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC706 Intensive Care in Tropical Environments
This module aims to introduce the concepts of the practice of intensive care medicine, specifically for tropical medicine ailments and diseases, as well as providing critical care in remote and austere conditions. It begins with the top ten infectious diseases found in tropical regions and expands to cover various treatments and procedures that are needed whilst working in tropical environments.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC707 Leadership and Management in Critical Care
This module will introduce students to the concepts of effective leadership and management in health care. Students will be encouraged to (i) explore how self-leadership is a precursor for the effective leadership of others (ii) to develop the leadership skills to become clinical and academic leaders within their own departments. (iii) to develop the skills to lead innovation and change whilst understanding the challenges facing service delivery.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC708 Clinical Practicum for the Austere Critical Care Practice
This module will give the delegate hands on experience with assessing and managing critical patients in austere environments whilst working under the direct supervision of physicians working at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre located in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. It will provide students with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills for the assessment and treatment for the critically unwell casualty.
Programme Name: Postgraduate Diploma in Austere Critical Care
Accreditation: Malta Further and Higher Education Authority
Credits: 60 ECTS
Programme duration: 24-30 months part-time, 12-16 months full-time
Target Audience: 25-65+
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (MQF/EQF L6)
- Associate degree (MQF/EQF L5 ) with at least three years of experience as a healthcare provider.
- More information can be found in the programme specification link below.
Target Group: Health care professionals
Language of instruction:
English. If English is not your first language, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or more.
MQF/EQF Level: Level 7
Mode of delivery: Blended learning
Hours of Total Learning: 1500
Tuition Fees: €5400
The full programme specifications can be downloaded here.
Required Modules:
ACC701, ACC702, ACC703, ACC705, ACC706
One Elective Module:
ACC704, ACC707, ACC708
Programme Modules
ACC701 Critical Care Basics: Concepts, Interventions
This module provides the knowledge of complex pathophysiology on which the assessment and management of critically ill patients are based. Content areas include concepts of tissue oxygenation, organ perfusion, breathing and oxygenation, circulation, regulation of metabolic status and homeostasis, and regulated and dysregulated immune responses. The module will build a strong foundation for further clinical studies in critical care.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC702 Intensive Care for Resource-limited Environments
This module discusses the knowledge and competencies needed to provide intensive care for the critical casualty located in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.
Content areas include early assessment and management of the critical casualty, sepsis, acute kidney injury, airway and respiratory emergencies, advanced techniques for physical examination of the acute casualty, clinical decision making, communications, pharmacological options for the critical casualty, documentation and assessment-based management.
Additional topics will include managing resource limitations, resource allocation, triage, and ethical implications.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC703 Core Critical Care Skills
This module provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patients, practical skills to apply and interpret critical care monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide basic critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes skill stations for structured patient assessment, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non- technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC704 Aeromedical and Critical Care Transport
This module provides the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe transport for critically ill patients both via land and aeromedical retrieval service. The module content includes the knowledge and discussion of the principles of aeromedical transport, including its effects in physiology and the skills of preparing patients for transport as well as monitoring and managing critically ill patients within the confined space during transport. The online module will give the theoretical background for further studies and learning technical and non-technical skills during subsequent classroom teaching and clinical placements.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC705 Advanced Critical Care Skills for Austere Environments
This module provides the advanced knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patient specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. Practical hands on skills will be taught that apply and interpret critical care assessment and advanced monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes advanced skill practice during structured patient assessments, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, procedural ultrasound, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non-technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC706 Intensive Care in Tropical Environments
This module aims to introduce the concepts of the practice of intensive care medicine, specifically for tropical medicine ailments and diseases, as well as providing critical care in remote and austere conditions. It begins with the top ten infectious diseases found in tropical regions and expands to cover various treatments and procedures that are needed whilst working in tropical environments.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC707 Leadership and Management in Critical Care
This module will introduce students to the concepts of effective leadership and management in health care. Students will be encouraged to (i) explore how self-leadership is a precursor for the effective leadership of others (ii) to develop the leadership skills to become clinical and academic leaders within their own departments. (iii) to develop the skills to lead innovation and change whilst understanding the challenges facing service delivery.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC708 Clinical Practicum for the Austere Critical Care Practice
This module will give the delegate hands on experience with assessing and managing critical patients in austere environments whilst working under the direct supervision of physicians working at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre located in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. It will provide students with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills for the assessment and treatment for the critically unwell casualty.
Programme Name: Master of Science Austere Critical Care
Accreditation: Malta Further and Higher Education Authority
Credits: 90 ECTS
Qualification or Award: Qualification
Programme duration: 40-60 months part-time, 20-24 months full-time
Target Audience: 25-65+
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (MQF/EQF L6)
- Associate degree (MQF/EQF L5 ) with at least three years of experience as a healthcare provider.
- More information can be found in the programme specification link below.
Target Group: Health care professionals
Language of instruction: English.
If English is not your first language, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or more.
MQF/EQF Level: 7
Mode of delivery: Blended
Hours of Total Learning: 2250
Tuition Fees: €8100
Next intake: 1 September, 1 January, 1 May
The full programme specifications can be downloaded here.
Required Modules:
ACC701, ACC703, ACC705, ACC709, ACC710
Two Elective Modules:
ACC702, ACC704, ACC706, ACC707, ACC708
Programme Modules
ACC701 Critical Care Basics: Concepts, Interventions
This module provides the knowledge of complex pathophysiology on which the assessment and management of critically ill patients are based. Content areas include concepts of tissue oxygenation; organ perfusion; breathing and oxygenation; circulation; regulation of metabolic status and homeostasis; regulated and dysregulated immune responses. The module will build a strong foundation for further clinical studies in critical care.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC702 Intensive Care for Resource-limited Environments
This module discusses the knowledge and competencies needed to provide intensive care for the critical casualty located in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.
Content areas include early assessment and management of the critical casualty, sepsis, acute kidney injury, airway and respiratory emergencies, advanced techniques for physical examination of the acute casualty, clinical decision making, communications, pharmacological options for the critical casualty, documentation and assessment-based management.
Additional topics will include managing resource limitations, resource allocation, triage, and ethical implications.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC703 Core Critical Care Skills
This module provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patients, practical skills to apply and interpret critical care monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide basic critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes skill stations for structured patient assessment, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non- technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC704 Aeromedical and Critical Care Transport
This module provides the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe transport for critically ill patients both via land and aeromedical retrieval service. The module content includes the knowledge and discussion of the principles of aeromedical transport, including its effects in physiology and the skills of preparing patients for transport as well as monitoring and managing critically ill patients within the confined space during transport. The online module will give the theoretical background for further studies and learning technical and non-technical skills during subsequent classroom teaching and clinical placements.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC705 Advanced Critical Care Skills for Austere Environments
This module provides the advanced knowledge and skills needed to conduct a structured clinical assessment for critically ill patient specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. Practical hands on skills will be taught that apply and interpret critical care assessment and advanced monitoring, manage ongoing organ support, and provide critical care interventions specifically for the casualty located in remote, austere and resource- limited environments. The module includes advanced skill practice during structured patient assessments, clinical scenarios with organ support and complex monitoring, procedural ultrasound, emergencies during mechanical ventilation, recognition, evaluation and management of circulatory collapse and complex metabolic deterioration. Delegates will practice the management of simulated clinical scenarios in teams, learning technical and non-technical skills.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC706 Intensive Care in Tropical Environments
This module aims to introduce the concepts of the practice of intensive care medicine, specifically for tropical medicine ailments and diseases, as well as providing critical care in remote and austere conditions. It begins with the top ten infectious diseases found in tropical regions and expands to cover various treatments and procedures that are needed whilst working in tropical environments.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC707 Leadership and Management in Critical Care
This module will introduce students to the concepts of effective leadership and management in health care. Students will be encouraged to (i) explore how self-leadership is a precursor for the effective leadership of others (ii) to develop the leadership skills to become clinical and academic leaders within their own departments. (iii) to develop the skills to lead innovation and change whilst understanding the challenges facing service delivery.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC708 Clinical Practicum for the Austere Critical Care Practice
This module will give the delegate hands on experience with assessing and managing critical patients in austere environments whilst working under the direct supervision of physicians working at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre located in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. It will provide students with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills for the assessment and treatment for the critically unwell casualty.
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC709 Research Methods for the Critical Care Practice
This module is designed to engage the student in MQF level 7 research in Healthcare, specifically Critical Care. To provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to get started in level 7 research. It will focus on the following:
- Developing an understanding of the theories of science. methodological views and paradigms
- Understanding the process of research and knowledge production in a selected healthcare topic (including identifying a suitable problem statement and research questions, relevant academic and professional literature, and appropriate methods
- Appraising the ontological and epistemological basis of research in healthcare practice
Click here for the Module Specification
ACC710 Degree Project for the Austere Critical Care Practice
This is a capstone project, which requires and enables candidates to produce a comprehensive integrative piece of work incorporating the developed knowledge and skills from the programme into a final dissertation (20,000 words). Focusing on blending theory with practice in a specific professional context. An in-depth investigation of a research problem rooted in theoretical frameworks and concepts.