Successful launch of the part-time academic Master's program at Kiel University
Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine (MMHM)
The part-time academic Master's program in Migraine and Headache Medicine (MMHM) at Kiel University has launched very successfully in the 2021/22 winter semester. Students from all over Germany and abroad have enrolled. At the opening event for the start of the 2021/22 winter semester, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Joachim Thiery, welcomed the students. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Illert, from the board of the Center for Continuing Academic Education at Kiel University, reported on the development and background of the new Master's program. The program director, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, presented the curriculum to the students and introduced the content of the individual modules.
Kick-off event for the new Master's program at Kiel University, Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine, with the first-semester students
Nationally and internationally renowned lecturers present a comprehensive, interdisciplinary body of academic knowledge on the subject. In interactive courses, students can actively contribute their diverse professional experiences and expertise. The varied teaching methods, such as case seminars, clinical days, group discussions, and field trips, provide ample opportunity for this. Internships and clinical case discussions in both outpatient and inpatient settings are a central component of the four-semester program.
The program is designed for working professionals. It takes place over weekend sessions from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Additionally, once per semester, an intensive five-day clinical program with practical placements is conducted during a week-long in-person session. This program focuses on examination techniques, practical exercises, and case demonstrations throughout the day. Topics related to primary headache disorders are explored in depth, both theoretically and practically, at the Kiel Pain Clinic. Content on secondary headache disorders is developed in collaboration with the clinics at Kiel University Hospital. The Master's program comprises 60 ECTS credits. It consists of four learning modules, practical clinical courses, and a Master's thesis. The part-time, work-integrated program lasts four semesters
- First semester – Fundamentals, organization, clinical procedures: Epidemiology, classification and health economics of headache disorders; pathophysiology, comorbidities, basic research; medical ethics, organization of treatment, communication within the team, professional groups involved, clinical procedures.
- Second semester – Diagnostics and therapy of primary and secondary headache disorders: phenotypes, diagnostics, examination procedures and therapy; primary headache disorders, secondary headache disorders, facial pain, neuralgias.
- Third semester – Organization, care structures, science, perspectives: Special headache therapy in the tertiary headache center; care coordination, payers, self-help, public awareness; clinical and experimental research, perspectives in the care of headache disorders.
- Fourth semester – Master's thesis: Subject-specific master's thesis, completion of academic examinations; award of the "Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine" degree.
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, Prof. Dr. Dagny Holle-Lee and PD Dr. Charly Gaul on the occasion of the in-person weekend on the topic of acute therapy and prevention of migraine in March 2022
The experiences of the first two semesters demonstrate a very high level of student engagement across various disciplines. The enrolled students include physicians specializing in neurology, anesthesiology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Graduates in psychology and sports therapy are also enrolled in the postgraduate program. The entry requirement for this part-time Master's program is a completed university degree. Acceptable degrees include, for example, human or dental medicine, psychology, health sciences, nursing, natural sciences, engineering, or a related field. In addition, at least two years of professional experience are required. The International Headache Society is the program's sponsor and offered a scholarship for international candidates. This scholarship was awarded to a colleague from the Danish Headache Centre at the University of Copenhagen.
Past experience demonstrates the exceptional commitment of the participating lecturers. Furthermore, the exchange of expertise within the courses leads to a significant expansion of knowledge. The courses are condensed and intensive, and are structured to fit the busy schedules of participating healthcare professionals. The modules comprise 370 hours of in-person instruction, totaling 1,350 hours, equivalent to 45 ECTS credits. In addition, there is the master's thesis, which has a processing time of 16 weeks and is worth a further 15 ECTS credits.
The learning modules provide students with core scientific and clinical competencies for the specialized treatment of migraines and headaches. Students deepen their skills in the classification and diagnosis of headache disorders. They learn to develop evidence-based, individualized treatment plans, incorporating the relevant scientific background. Within a multidisciplinary environment, they gain in-depth insights into scientific studies and the research field in migraine and headache medicine. Healthcare organization, communication, public relations, and patient advocacy are further areas of focus. Although headache disorders can now be diagnosed and treated very precisely, only a small proportion of affected patients receive state-of-the-art care. This lack of access to appropriate therapy is due to limited treatment capacity and a shortage of qualified professionals. Migraine and headache disorders are widespread conditions, similar to hypertension, tooth decay, and diabetes. The World Health Organization lists headache disorders as by far the most common neurological diseases. There is a consensus that contemporary headache treatment must be organized in a multidisciplinary manner. Accordingly, the professional groups in a modern tertiary headache center are interdisciplinary. The OPS code 8-918 and other relevant procedure codes provide the basis for carrying out complex treatments. The Master's program qualifies members of the relevant professional groups for the specialized application of current knowledge. Some statements from the participating lecturers and students are listed alongside (Boxes 1 and 2).
The next course will start in the winter semester of 2023/2024. Further information on the application and admission process can be found on the website of the Center for Academic Continuing Education at Kiel University.
Homepage for the degree program: https://www.zww-kiel.de/migraine-headache-medicine
Download: Description of the Master's program and experiences of lecturers and students
Center for Scientific Continuing Education (ZWW)
c/o University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel Campus,
Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Building U27, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
Telephone: +49 431 500 244 62,
Fax: +49 431 500 202 68,
Email: kopfschmerz@zww.uni-kiel.de
Program Director:
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel
Email: hg@schmerzklinik.de
Download Flyer
Flyer Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine MMHM
Further information can be found at: https://www.zww-kiel.de/migraine-headache-medicine
The team can be reached here: Contact details and addresses for further questions .
Student voices
"I work as a pain therapist at the Starnberger See Pain Center under the direction of Prof. R. Freynhagen. Choosing the MMHM Master's program was and remains absolutely the right decision for me. It's a superbly structured, diverse, and dynamic course. I find it fascinating that we have the privilege of being taught by so many different, highly qualified lecturers, both in their subject areas and in teaching methods, who are passionately committed to sharing their knowledge. And it's admirable how quickly we, as a class, have grown together so closely across disciplines. Because of all this, and with the invaluable support of my entire team, I'm happy to make the long journey from Munich across Germany to Kiel for every in-person session."
Dr. Mirjana Slijepcevic, Specialist in Anesthesiology, Starnberger See Pain Center
"I applied for this degree program because I want to offer specialized support to people suffering from migraines and headaches, contributing to an improvement in their headache situation and quality of life. In addition to medical and pharmacological treatment, there are effective, evidence-based self-management strategies that I want to focus on. The program has exceeded my expectations. The lecturers are nationally and internationally leading experts. The lectures and seminars provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research findings and treatment methods. The connection to the Kiel Pain Clinic allows for intensive, practical exercises and engagement with the subject matter. The interdisciplinary composition enables an enriching change of perspective and is an important prerequisite for modern, multimodal pain management. Coming to Kiel for the in-person sessions is always a highlight."
Dominique Gudmundsdottir, Leichlingen, MSc. Exercise Physiology, Sports Scientist, Sports Therapist, Yoga Teacher
"When I read about the program in a professional journal, I immediately thought, 'This is finally something completely new in the realm of continuing education opportunities.' And my initial impression hasn't been disappointed. The last two semesters have been filled with excellent and engaging lectures, the likes of which you simply can't find anywhere else. These were complemented by practical weeks at the Kiel Pain Clinic, which gave us valuable insights into the work of this multimodal clinic. It's a time-consuming program, but the high-quality input is well worth it and has already proven invaluable in my daily work."
Dr. Joachim Kleinert, Fulda, specialist in anesthesiology and in private practice for almost 20 years, specializing in: special pain therapy and palliative medicine.
“I am a neurologist and pain therapist at the Bundeswehr Hospital in Ulm, where I treat headache patients on an outpatient basis and also oversee inpatient multimodal pain therapy. What motivated me to participate in the Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine program was the fact that knowledge in headache medicine has developed enormously in recent decades and has become so extensive that it can hardly be acquired effectively through traditional methods such as literature reviews or continuing education courses. Now, after the first two semesters, I can already say that this is a very special and rewarding program with internationally renowned headache experts as lecturers, a highly structured approach to knowledge transfer, but also room for interaction, lively discussions, and group work. I personally find the interdisciplinary composition of the students and the practical components of the program at the Kiel Pain Clinic particularly enriching. I am thrilled that such a program is now offered in Germany.”
Dr. Ursula Müller, Ulm, Specialist in Neurology, Bundeswehr Hospital Ulm
Voices from the professional community
"The academic program 'Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine' at Kiel University is an outstanding initiative. Worldwide, there is a significant unmet need for education and training in the field of headache disorders. A detailed and meticulously planned academic program like the one in Kiel is very welcome in the headache and pain community. The Master's program is perfectly integrated at the Kiel Pain Clinic and Kiel University, offering a balanced mix of theoretical and clinical courses. It aims to equip graduates with solid scientific and clinical knowledge, skills, and competencies in the field of headaches. Furthermore, this stimulating and comprehensive program will also contribute to meeting the considerable demand for competent and dedicated headache specialists and raise awareness of headache disorders."
Professor Rigmor Højland Jensen MD, Dr.Med Sci., Director, Danish Headache Centre, Department of Neurology, Study Director, Master of Headache Disorders, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
"As a representative of German pain medicine, which strives for high-quality care for patients with chronic pain that keeps pace with current scientific developments, I wholeheartedly welcome the University of Kiel's commitment to improving the quality of care for patients with migraines and headaches. The new degree program will become a milestone with a lasting impact on health policy. Ultimately, patients and modern healthcare will benefit, as they will have access to highly qualified and experienced physicians for the treatment of their headache disorders."
Dr. Johannes Horlemann, President of the German Society for Pain Medicine.
"The academic program 'Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine', developed and offered at Kiel University, is excellent and covers everything students should learn about headaches. It is very well-designed and comprehensive. This program was urgently needed to provide further training for therapists interested in specialized headache medicine. I congratulate the developers on their outstanding work."
Prof. Alan M. Rapoport, MD; Past President International Headache Society (IHS), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, California
"Migraines and headaches are the most common neurological disorders overall. Many patients with headaches and facial pain are urgently seeking competent and up-to-date care. This degree program helps to close an important gap in the academic training of experts. It will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on treatment in Germany in the coming years, along with further qualified treatment options and research initiatives for those affected."
PD Dr. med. Charly Gaul, Secretary General of the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG)
"Headache disorders are so common and debilitating that their impact on individuals and society cannot be overstated. The Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine program offers a unique opportunity to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to help thousands of patients in need. The commitment of the Kiel Pain Clinic and Kiel University to headache patients is renowned worldwide. When I examined the structure of this Master's program, I was not surprised by its comprehensiveness and thoroughness. A particularly noteworthy feature is the third semester's focus on the organization of headache care, a topic in which the Kiel Migraine and Headache Center and Kiel University have extensive experience. I have no doubt that this outstanding program will have a positive impact on the health of German citizens. I highly recommend this program and hope that it will be replicated in other countries.".
Dr. Elizabeth Leroux MD, FRCPC, Professor of Neurology, Head of the Headache Centre, South Health Campus, University of Calgary, Canada
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