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Preoperative Care (eLearning)

About this module

Thorough preoperative assessment and care can dramatically affect the patient's surgical journey and can enable the surgical team to manage any potential problems. This module covers the common topics to review in this setting, including:

  • preoperative assessment clinic;
  • preoperative risk assessment;
  • day case surgery;
  • the assessment and management of common medical co-morbidities in surgical patients.

This module contains one or more Workplace Based Assessments (WBAs) that you are required to complete to obtain your module certificate. Please see the Format tab below for the details of these. For details on the overall module content, please see the learning outcomes tab below. 

RCS members and associates benefit from a 10% discount on this module. Find out if you're eligible to join or transfer

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  • 10 PG Cert credits
  • 0.0 CPD Points: TBC
10 PG Cert credits
0.0 CPD Points: TBC
Standard fee £420.00
Member Discount 10 %: £378.00
PGCert Low Income Country 40% Discount: £252.00
PGCert Student Discount 15%: £357.00
special rate as agreed: £
  • Take this course as part of PG Cert in Surgery for £357 (15% discount) or if you are a RCS member or RCS associate for £378 (10% discount).
  • You will have access to this module for 6 months, which you can extend for an additional 6 months for £130.
  • Upon completion of your module, you will obtain a certificate of completion for this module. 
  • Please take a look at our Terms & Conditions if you need to cancel your access to this module.

Enrol for this module only

This module is run through RCS e-learning as a standalone module, part of a course or part of a PG certification.
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Did you know?

You can do this module as part of the PG certification. To take this module as part of this certification, find out more

You've already enrolled on this module

Independent module or blended learning

If you're are taking this module independantly or as part of a course you can access your progress and continue the module via RCS e-learning.

Go to RCS e-Learning
Via PG Certification

If you're are taking this module as part of the PG certification you can view your progress and continue the module via the PG cert dashboard.

Go to My PG Cert

You've already completed this module.

Independent module or blended learning

If you're are taking this module independantly or as part of a course you can access your progress and continue the module via RCS e-learning.

Go to RCS e-Learning
Via PG Certification

If you're are taking this module as part of the PG certification you can view your progress and continue the module via the PG cert dashboard.

Go to My PG Cert

Suitability

You can take this module as part of the PGCert in Surgery, designed for FY1-2 & CT1-2.

You can also take this module as a standalone online course at any stage of your career.


To be eligible, candidates need to have access to an Educational or Clinical Supervisor.

Learning outcomes

After completing this Preoperative Care module, you will be able to:

  • Assess and manage systemic co-morbidities:
    • cardiovascular disease;
    • respiratory disease;
    • endocrine disease including Diabetes Mellitus. 
  • Explain the concept of surgical risk.
  • Describe the use of surgical scoring systems.
  • Describe the principles and advantages of day case surgery. 

Format

This is an interactive online module within the innovative RCS England e-learning platform. This format means you can study using any device, whenever and wherever it suits you.

This module requires the completion of 3 workplace based assessments (WBAs).  It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the capacity to complete the WBAs and that they are within your scope of practice in order to complete the module. WBAs cannot be missed or replaced with alternative activities. You will need to have an appropriate supervisor to complete these.

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

  • Write a reflective passage on the management of a patient you have seen during a surgical on-call who has required emergency surgery. 

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

  • Write a reflective piece on your assessment and management of a surgical patient you have seen during a surgical on-call, who has had concurrent respiratory compromise alongside their acute surgical presentation. The patient should have a background of respiratory disease OR risk factors for respiratory compromise e.g. smoker. 

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

  • Write a reflective passage on your assessment and management of a surgical patient you have seen in the pre-operative period with Diabetes Mellitus OR who has been on long term corticosteroid therapy. This can be in the elective or emergency setting.

For more information on WBAs, please consult the ISCP website. If you do not have an Assigned Educational Supervisor (AES) you can use the ISCP guidance to find a suitable alternative, for example within the Case Based Discussion guidance.

You will have access to this module for 6 months, which you can also extend.

You may be interested in the following modules

Associated courses

Receive PGCert credits for successfully completing selected courses. (The range of courses and dates are subject to availability).

 

Clinical Skills in Emergency Surgery (4 credits)

An emergency surgery sceneThis course is ideal for trainees who have completed their basic surgical training. It will expand your skillset, focusing on advanced surgical techniques and essential skills needed in emergency circumstances.

This course is suitable for: FY 1-2 and CT 1-2.

Find out more

You will be awarded 4 PGCert in Surgery credits upon successful completion of this course

BSS Basic Surgical Skills (2 credits)

Student surgeons receiving adviceFocusing on a range of essential surgical skills, BSS is viewed as a cornerstone course for all surgical trainees. It will enable you to develop sound surgical techniques that will support you during your career.

This course is suitable for: FY 1-2 and CT 1-2.

Find out more

You will be awarded 2 PGCert in Surgery credits upon successful completion of this course

Contact the education team

If you have any questions about the PGCert in Surgery, or any other RCS courses, please get in touch.

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Phone us

Call 020 7869 6300 to talk with a member of our team. 

We are available to answer calls during our working hours of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday and there is a voicemail outside this time.