Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine

Purpose

As a new speciality the development of Emergency Care research will identify current standards, aim to improve emergency care on a national and international level, and promote key areas such as disaster medicine, prehospital medicine and patient safety.

After completion the students would have mastered techniques and skills to be competent researchers and educators. The programme will stimulate the development of sub-specialities and Fellowship programmes within the field of Emergency Medicine.

At the end of the qualification, the learners will be able to

• Fulfil the need for researchers and educators within the field of Emergency Medicine.
• Stimulate the development of key areas within Emergency Care.
• Guide policy development in Emergency Care.

Rationale

The National Plan for Higher Education (DoE: 2001) indicates that research plays a key role in the production, advancement and dissemination of knowledge and the development of high-level human resources.

Emergency medicine is a new specialty in South Africa and this programme will contribute to define the standards of Emergency care at a national level. Specific key areas of growth have been identified e.g. major incident planning; emergency ultrasound, patient safety and clinical governance.

This PhD will also contribute to the promotion of education and research in this field.

It is assumed that learners who access this qualification are competent in

• Emergency medicine at NQF Level 9.
• Communication at NQF Level 8.
• Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

These are generic skills acquired through other programmes.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Decided on case-to-case basis. Current research competencies that have been acquired by prior learning or through related practical experience will be assessed against the outcomes of appropriate masters qualifications to determine compliance with access requirements. Learners must, at the time of application, provide proof in the form of an academic record or other documentation to substantiate required level of knowledge and expertise. Such competencies may help gain access to the programme leading to this qualification, or advanced placement therein.

Access to the Qualification

Learners accessing this qualification should be in possession of

• Masters of Medicine in Emergency Medicine, or
• Masters of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine, or
• Other Masters degree or equivalent degree in a cognate discipline.

A dissertation of 360 credits.

1. Demonstrate high-level research capability of sufficient quality to satisfy peer review, and merit publication.
2. Make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline.
3. Supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of Emergency Medicine.

This programme requires a student to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. Thus it is aligned with the HEQF Level 10 (Doctoral Degree).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• The research field and its implications are critically evaluated, analysed and justified in a research report.
• A research proposal is compiled in accordance with the institutional research policies and procedural criteria.
• The proposal is presented according to the institutional research policies and procedural criteria.
• Medical and research ethics and legal issues pertinent to research in technology are critically reflected on, included in the proposal and adhered to during the research process.
• Relevant and recent information on the research area is gathered from wide variety of sources.
• Information is critically analysed, evaluated and discussed in a detailed literature review.
• Appropriate research design and methodology are selected, described, justified and defended in terms of the research topic.
• Data is analysed using the relevant statistical tools.
• The dissertation is written up according to the institutional research policies and procedural criteria.
• Findings are communicated to peers through oral/poster presentations and/or institutional seminars and publications.

Integrated Assessment

This will be in line with the Faculty's and University's assessment policies. One-on-one supervision with regular direct contact, MoUs and annual reports will allow monitoring of progress and continuous formative assessment.

The research unit will scrutinise all progress reports.