Abstract
General profile of the program
The Master of Headache Disorders will meet the growing need for specialists to treat as well as perform research within headache disorders. The program will be a theoretical and practical education offered by the University of Copenhagen in close collaboration with The Danish Headache Center, national and international guest lecturers from selected partner universities and institutions in Europe. The program is taught as blended learning with a combination of e-learning and intensive on-campus courses, and can be taken as part-time or full time studies.
Program objectives
The Master of Headache Disorders will develop candidates with highly specialized knowledge of Headache Epidemiology, Public Health; Burden of Headache; Clinical Headache Care; Multidisciplinary Headache Care; Emerging treatment strategies; Basic Headache Mechanisms, Clinical Headache Research, Headache Genetics; Educational and Organizational aspects within Headache.
Program content
The program is a 2-year master program (60 ECTS), which is taught in English. It consists of a total of 6 modules: 4 theoretical courses, a clinical module, followed by a master thesis. The compulsory theoretical courses will take place as a combination of e-learning and 1 week on-campus lectures at the University of Copenhagen. The clinical module will be a 4-week stay at the Danish Headache Center or other specialized Headache Centers in Europe.
Lecturers and supervisors will be highly specialized researchers within the field and will come from the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Headache Center at Glostrup Hospital, the University of Trondheim/Norway, the University of Hamburg/Germany, University of Oxford/UK, and Leiden University/The Netherlands.
Structure
Module content
Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Headache Epidemiology; Classification of Headache; Clinical presentation; Primary headaches; Secondary headaches; Cranial neuralgias; Headache in the emergency room; Pediatric headaches; Differential diagnosis; Burden of Headache; Public health aspects. Mechanisms and comorbidities Genetics; Migraine; Tension-type headache; TACS; Secondary Headaches; Medication Overuse Headaches; Trigeminal and other cranial Neuralgias; Comorbidities; Experimental human and animal models; Pain physiology. Investigations and Management Neuroimaging; Neurosonography; Neurophysiology; QST; Acute and prophylactic Pharmacological management of Migraine, TTH, TACS, Secondary Headaches and Cranial Neuralgias. Organization of Headache care and Clinical Practice Multidisciplinary care; In patients care; Out Patients care; Bio-feedback; Psychological strategies; Physical Therapy; Neuromodulation; Clinical Trials and future research strategies. Clinical Module Organizational and Practical Management Headache Disorders: Patient interviews, examinations, follow up, management, multidisciplinary treatment and theoretical lectures. Master's Thesis Carrying out a small research project or performing a literature review within the field of headache disorders. The master thesis will be guided by a supervisor from the University of Copenhagen, followed by an oral defense.
Admission criteria
Applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree within Pharmacy, medicine, psychology, nursing, physical therapy or the equivalent from a university in or outside of Denmark, combined with documentation of relevant courses in statistics and English language as well as at least two years of relevant work experience within pain or headache disorders.
International network and entrepreneurial skills
The international focus of the program based on international students, guest lecturers and a career advisor panel consisting of international experts, combined with the clinical module at a specialized headache center in Europe, will help the graduates to build an international network throughout their master program. Throughout the program the graduates will be trained in entrepreneurial skills and in the ability to help expanding the existing offers of headache centers in their home regions.
Program employment prospects
The program aims at educating graduates who will find employment at neurological departments at university hospitals, at headache clinics and centers, in pain treatment clinics, and as researchers at universities and research institutions.
Chair and organization
The Master program in Headache Disorders is chaired by Professor Rigmor H. Jensen and Ass. Professor Henrik Schytz, in close collaboration with Professor Messoud Ashina, Ass Professor Lars Bendtsen, Danish Headache Center and the master board at the Faculty of Health at University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The initiation of the Master Program was supported by European Headache Federation, European Academy of Neurology, International Headache Society, Lifting the Burden of Headache, European Headache Alliance, The Danish Patient Organizations with Headache and Trigeminal Neuralgia, The Danish Headache Society, The Danish Neurological and Medical Societies.