Skip to main content
default

SOMM Clinical Interest Group

The MACP and SOMM (Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine)

For many years, the MACP and SOMM have co-existed being pioneers of the development of MSK skills for Physiotherapists.  Both organisations have a rich legacy of clinical excellence and training.

Recently, closer collaboration between the organisations has led to the signing of SOMM becoming a ‘clinical interest group’ within the MACP umbrella.

This brings together the two groups to enable members of both organisations to benefit from knowledge and experience sharing and collaborating on future development within MSK assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.

Previously, MSK practitioners have often chosen an MACP or SOMM pathway – but this new closer collaboration will support anyone to become members of both organisations.

We believe that every MSK practitioner can have a wide variety of modalities to choose from with their patients and this development opens up the opportunity to improve their ‘tools’ within their toolbox to manage their patients. This includes additional qualifications such as injection therapy as well as a wealth of other skills.

SOMM members who have completed their Foundation modules can use their academic credits to map against the MACP portfolio route to membership, making it easier to gain MACP accreditation and membership.
This is an exciting development in the MSK world and we can look forward to sharing knowledge and experience with members of both prestigious organisations.

For many years, the MACP and SOMM have co-existed being pioneers of the development of MSK skills for Physiotherapists

Recently, closer collaboration between the organisations has led to the signing of SOMM becoming a ‘clinical interest group’ within the MACP umbrella.

Previously, MSK practitioners have often chosen an MACP or SOMM pathway – but this new closer collaboration will support anyone to become members of both organisations.

SOMM members who have completed their Foundation modules can use their academic credits to map against the MACP portfolio route to membership, making it easier to gain MACP accreditation and membership.

 

A Brief History of SOMM 

The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM), formerly the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine is an educational charity that was formed over 45 years ago to promote the seminal work of Dr James Cyriax. Working as the Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Physician to the Department of Physical Medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital in London for many years, Dr Cyriax was the pioneer in musculoskeletal medicine.

The Society was formed in 1979 to continue his work and since then there’s been an explosion of interest in musculoskeletal therapy. This has led to a significant development in treatment techniques, imaging, clinical reasoning and patient management. The Society has been instrumental in promoting education for clinicians in this field.

What SOMM offers the MSK Physio

SOMM now provides a complete pathway of postgraduate courses for medical practitioners and allied health professionals and advanced nurse practitioners that run primarily throughout the UK. Invitations from further afield are always considered. In recent years we have been invited to run courses in many countries worldwide.

What are the benefits of attending a SOMM course?

• Highly respected courses that provide a pathway to extended and advanced clinical practice.

• Practical courses with lots of time to perfect techniques.

• High tutor/student ratio and a wealth of clinical experience to draw from.

• MSc pathway that enables students to advance their clinical skills and gain academic recognition.

• Support from expert tutors.

• Continually refined courses in response to student feedback.

• Strong theoretical basis and applied anatomy.

• Access to comprehensive handbooks and workbooks.

• Update days to enable continued learning.

• In-depth support across the entire pathway with online resources.

The SOMM Diploma in Injection Therapy

Structure of the course

This module will use a range of teaching/learning strategies including lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions, group work, case-based discussions and tutorials.

There are two units in this module, with six months between unit 1 & unit 2.

Unit 1 (3 days)– A combination of lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions, group work, case-based discussion and tutorials will be used to provide the background theory, current evidence and practical skills in injection therapy. The following topics will be covered:

1. Introduction of musculoskeletal injection therapy

2. Basic clinical pharmacology

3. Corticosteroid

4. Local anaesthetics

5. Other injection therapy options such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet rich plasma (PRP)

6. Legal framework

7. Adverse event management

8. Injection therapy equipment

9. Needle proprioception workshop

10. Dosage guidelines

11. Anatomically-guided injection techniques in common MSK conditions in upper limbs and lower limbs

12. Assessment guidelines at Master’s level

Inter-modular period

There is a period of directed learning between the two units where students are required to perform 10 supervised injections to be included within their portfolio. You will be required to arrange an eligible supervisor(s) e.g. MSK physiotherapists with injection therapy experience  of over 3 years or a medical practitioner with MSK injection therapy experience, prior to the course.

Unit 2 (2 days) – as well as the theoretical and practical teaching/learning strategies mentioned above, Unit 2 includes:

1. Tutorials

2. Practical review

3. Critical appraisal of research evidence

4. Case study discussion

5. Supervised review session

6. Practical viva examination

Professional groups who are eligible:

1. Registered allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, osteopaths

2. Registered medical doctors, such as general practitioners or sports and exercise medicine doctors

3. Other registered professionals, such as advanced nurse practitioners, who fulfil the entry requirements

Entry requirement:

1. HCPC/GMC registration, or registration with other relevant regulatory body, with professional indemnity insurance

2. Access to MSK patients while attending the course

3. Clinical experience of at least 3 years, in which at least 1 year clinical experience in MSK

4. Evidence of MSK post graduate training. E.g. SOMM diploma of musculoskeletal medicine and/or

a. Evidence of relevant post-graduate MSK training/ courses with

Higher Education Institutes and/or

b. Evidence of stage 1 +/- stage 2 of HEE MSK FCP Roadmap and/or

c. Evidence of AP MSK standards

Assessment format:

Formative assessment:

1. Tutor feedback throughout module, particularly on practical skills.

2. Designated supervisor’s feedback during inter-modular period

3. Case study discussion and critical appraisal of research articles

Summative assessment:

Students will demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes by completing, and passing all three assessment components:

1. Submission of a supervised injection portfolio providing evidence of a minimum of 10 supervised injections – Core pass/fail component

2. Practical viva examination, with competency and safety pass/fail component – (50% pass mark)

3. Submission of a case study of 2,500 words detailing an injection treatment conducted by the student (50% pass mark)

The SOMM Foundation in Musculoskeletal Medicine Course

The Foundation Course comprises 3 units. Units 1 & 2 can be taken in either order but must be completed before attending Unit 3. An exam is usually taken after Unit 3 and this, with completion of a portfolio reflective essay and professional development plan leads to the SOMM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 

The Foundation module provides core training that enables doctors, allied health professionals and nurses to examine, diagnose and treat the common musculoskeletal disorders accurately thereby enhancing patient care and service delivery. As well as being really useful clinically, the units provide the starting point for an academic pathway that will help to further develop clinician skills and knowledge.

The Foundation module will benefit clinicians working with musculoskeletal patients in all settings including hospital out-patients, sport, general practice, orthopaedics, armed forces and private practice.

The module aims to:

• Extend knowledge in functional anatomy and biomechanics

• Develop competence in joint examination, assessment, clinical diagnosis and treatment including manual treatment, exercise and injection techniques

• Enhance clinical reasoning and evaluation supported by relevant references

Key requirements to qualify for the Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine:

• Units 1 & 2 can be taken in either order, followed by Unit 3 and the completion of an exam. This, plus a portfolio reflective essay (to demonstrate your achievement of the learning outcomes of the module), and personal development plan leads to the SOMM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine.

The SOMM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine, worth 60 credits, is credit rated by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The Portfolio Route