International Diploma - Alternative Flexible Pathway

COURSE DATE: Feb 8-13, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Chris Boyer

MDT has a substantial research base, and no shortage of critics. This week is about reading that literature with confidence: knowing what a study can and can't tell you, spotting where a design undercuts its conclusions, and answering: "where's the evidence for that?" without flinching.

Through short readings, videos and webinars, you'll build a practical toolkit for critically evaluating clinical research. Then, in online discussion with faculty and peers, you'll put it to work, comparing two MDT papers head-to-head, weighing their strengths and limitations, and deciding what each actually adds to your practice.

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COURSE DATE: Feb 15-20, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Gary Dykes

‘My clinical confidence has much improved’
‘I am much more efficient clinically’

- these are two common remarks made by clinicians as they move through our courses up to the credentialing exam.

With this Diploma module we take that to the next level. Progressing clinically requires understanding clinical reasoning and how the literature supports the choices you make.

During the session, you will be placed in groups to analyze a case based on provided information. The information will be incomplete, and justification will be needed to clarify your thoughts to gain new information. Step-by-step as the discussion progresses there will be more challenges with new information provided as a broader clinical picture presents itself. While processing through, there will be opportunities to post your, and your groups confidence rating scale to illustrate exactly how you weight the potential classifications.

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COURSE DATE: Feb 22 - 27, 2027
INSTRUCTORS: Tobias Croner & Christian Garlich

This week, we move from theory into clinical reasoning, exploring how tissues respond to mechanical loading and, in particular, what this means for your patients with Contractile Dysfunction (CD).

The aim of this module is to build a strong, contemporary clinical framework that you can take directly into your clinical placement. Together, we will explore the current understanding of CDs, from pathophysiology and history taking to clinical examination, loading strategies and management.

Most importantly, this is not about simply learning what to do. It is about understanding why, when and how to apply loading strategies to individual patients.

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COURSE DATE: Mar 1 - 6, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Richard Rosedale

For every clinician, there is always the temptation to look at the research on their chosen approach through ‘rose-tinted’ glasses. MDT clinicians are no exception to this inclination.

During this session we will be reviewing and evaluating the current evidence for the use of key aspects of MDT, and you are encouraged to maintain a balanced perspective. We will discuss alignment with current guidelines, MDT reliability, efficacy and Centralisation/Directional Preference. You will be divided into groups, with each group assigned one topic.

Following preliminary discussion within your group, each group will prepare a summary document which will be posted for the other groups to review and discuss.

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COURSE DATE: Mar 8 - 13, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Mark Cheel

For this session we will explore different approaches towards communicating with patients to improve outcomes in clinical practice. Discussions will also focus on three key areas relating to communication: Motivational Interviewing, Language and Teach-Back.

• Motivational Interviewing: Discussion will focus on the key components central to Motivational Interviewing and how this assists our ability to communicate with and empower our patients.
• Language: Discussion will focus on the importance of language when communicating with patients, and how language may affect patient empowerment and prognosis.
• Teach-Back: Discussion will focus on exploring the concept of Teach-Back and its value when communicating with patients

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COURSE DATE: Mar 15 - 20, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Jo Chambers

Pain and its behaviour is of course at the heart of MDT.

This week we delve into our current understanding of pain, reflect on its relevance for individual patients and discuss the potential drivers of pain and their impact on patient management.

We’ll use a case study to explore how features of nociplastic pain can be identified, including what potential barriers to recovery exist with individual patients and how these barriers can be minimized or overcome. This will very much be a week of sharing experiences and resources.

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COURSE DATE: Mar 29 - Apr 3, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Jonathan Dolutan

How often do clinicians treat the shoulder and miss the spine?

This module examines one of the most common and consequential clinical blind spots in musculoskeletal practice: the failure to screen for a cervical or upper thoracic spinal source in patients presenting with apparent primary shoulder pain.

You will explore the clinical implications of spinal involvement in shoulder presentations, evaluate the strengths and limitations of available cervical screening methods, and examine the process of establishing both spinal and extremity baselines. You will also appraise why common orthopaedic special tests routinely relied upon may be insufficient when a spinal component is present.

By the end of this module, you will be able to articulate why a thorough MDT assessment is not simply a different approach to shoulder pain, but a more defensible one.

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COURSE DATE: Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2027
INSTRUCTORS: Fiona Mackenzie & Margaret Campbell

In this module, you will explore differential diagnosis and clinical decision-making through patient vignettes involving spinal and extremity presentations. You will work in small groups, with each group assigned a specific vignette.  The small group work will be facilitated by a diploma clinical educator and regular contributions and collaboration within your group is required. For each vignette, the group will discuss the significance of the assessment findings, evaluate what further information might be informative, then present a summary including justification of clinical reasoning to the wider discussion board.  Other groups will then have the opportunity to critically evaluate, question and discuss your synthesis and differential diagnosis decision making.

A synchronous question & answer session will be scheduled and facilitated by your diploma educators. This provides an opportunity to explore the key themes emerging from the vignettes, clarify areas of uncertainty, and consolidate learning. The module will conclude with a summative multiple-choice assessment quiz based on a specific patient case. The module will run over 1.5 weeks and will require active participation throughout.

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COURSE DATE: Apr 14 - Apr 22, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Yvonne Body

What happens after the initial assessment? How do you confidently adjust treatment when patients improve, plateau, or present new challenges?

In this highly interactive session, you'll follow extremity pain cases through the next stages of care, applying MDT principles to make informed clinical decisions from day-two follow-up through discharge. Build on foundational concepts such as therapeutic alliance, patient education, safety, baseline establishment, and classification as you learn to navigate the complexities of patient progression.

Through case discussions and algorithm development, you'll learn how to:

• Progress and modify force strategies with confidence
• Select appropriate force alternatives when needed
• Adapt treatment plans based on clinical presentation and response
• Integrate additional interventions while maintaining an MDT-guided approach
• Strengthen your clinical reasoning and patient management skills

Leave with practical tools, decision-making frameworks, and a deeper understanding of how to optimize outcomes for patients presenting with extremity pain.

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COURSE DATE: Apr 26 - May 1, 2027
INSTRUCTOR: Henk Tempelman

About fifty years ago, Robin McKenzie used the disc model to explain the rapid changes of pain and function happening in the spine in patients whose presentation was classified as a Derangement. Robin also stated about the disc model: (not verbatim) "It is a model, if somebody comes up with a better explanation, please let me know".

So, here we are in 2027, is the disc model still relevant? Does it accurately  explain what happens in derangement, and how does the disc model relate to other classifications and pathoanatomical changes in the spine? Can our explanations have an effect on the patient? What has the literature to say about it?

There might be no definitive right or wrong this week. Please keep an open mind to all aspects of this discussion. Opinions are welcome, especially if they are supported with evidence.

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