Please select one of the following module options on the King's Apply search field to be able to locate this course:

• Postgraduate Medicine Free Standing Module (30 Credits)
• Postgraduate Medicine Free Standing Module (0 Credits)

Candidates wishing to participate in the course without undertaking the formal assessments, may choose to do so by selecting the course as a zero-credit free-standing module. In this case, participants will remain part of the same learning environment as candidates undertaking the credit-bearing module, but will not participate in the formal assessment activities (Essay and Oral presentation). All participants will be required to contribute to the Oral presentation as a learning activity. This option is accredited by CPD UK and candidates will get a Certificate of completion. For more information about this option, contact Course Administrator – Evgenia Kovryga.

Geographical location: United Kingdom; Overseas applicants may enquire.

The course delivered as blended learning (please refer to the Course Handbook further down the page). The in-person teaching on 22 and 23 January 2026 will be streamed online to enable international delegates join in remotely. The teaching activities on 24 and 25 March 2026 will be recorded and added to the learning platform.

Course content

Last year, participants included doctors, midwives and pharmacists. The feedback, was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted the value of learning in a multi-professional cohort. Recent reports, including the second Ockenden report highlight the impact of lack of inter-professional working and identify lack of knowledge as contributory factors to stalling national progress in reducing the rate of maternal death. The Essential Knowledge of Obstetric Medicine course has been developed to address the knowledge gaps that contribute to poor outcomes and indirect causes of maternal death, and the teaching cuts across a range of professions that have traditionally been taught in silos.

The purpose of this module is:

• To enable students to focus on, and develop an in-depth and contemporary understanding of the physiological and pathophysiology influences of pregnancy.
• To outline the common medical disorders in pregnancy so that they can confidently critically evaluate the medical conditions and impact on maternal and fetal/infant health.
• To provide students insight and knowledge of how to support oneself and others to diagnose and treat pregnant women with medical disorders on a team.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological influences that impact on the health of women during pregnancy and their infants.
• Critically evaluate and appraise the management of common medical disorders in pregnancy to develop their own opinion of the current knowledge landscape.
• Work independently to effectively apply and communicate their knowledge and understanding to a multidisciplinary audience though verbal and written formats delivering patient-centred care.

This course is for clinical professionals: midwives, pharmacists, physicians, obstetricians, obstetric anaesthetist, doctors in training, obstetric physician, nurses, paramedics, sonographers, general practitioners, and allied health professional (AHP).

The expectation is that participants will have a professional qualification related to their clinical work in maternity services. Minimum entry requirements are either a medical degree (such as an MBBS) or, for other allied health professionals, a professional qualification in their respective area.

Assessment

Formative and summative assessments:

Formative assessments (non-credit bearing option): Your feedback and any mark (if given) for any formative activities will not go towards your final result. The grade and feedback you receive are designed to help you develop and improve your work.

Summative assessments (credit bearing option): All marks for the following assessments are described as summative and are used to calculate your final mark:

1. Written assignment: Critical Reflective Essay (3500words);
2. Group Oral Presentation (30 minute in-person activity - an individual assessment as part of the group’s participation).

The course mode is blended and includes 4 days of the face-to-face teaching and learning activities, 8 online tutorials  and supporting resources on KEATS. 

• 22 and 23 January 2026 (in-person full-day program) - Course introduction and interactive lectures with Q&A;
• 24 and 25 March 2026 (in-person full-day program) - Interactive lectures, Simulation activities, Action Learning Teams' work & Oral Presentation assessment;
• 26 January - 23 March - weekly online tutorials on Teams (every Thursday at 17:30-19:30pm with the exception of the KCL Reading Week).

The learning materials and reading list and other resources will be provided on the KEATS course page (King's E-learning and Teaching Service). A substantial part of the course (180 hours) is dedicated to self-learning and integral as part of the course.

The updated programme for the upcoming academic year (2025-26) will be provided upon enrolment.