Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health is to train researchers in the field of Public Health to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. Public health is a multidisciplinary field concerned with preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting the health of populations. The qualification focuses on the application and integration of a scientific research-based and specialised level of knowledge and skills within the field of research. The application of knowledge and skills will take place against the background of responsible ethical and professional Public Health research practices and enable learners to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and applying methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging research problems within the field of Public Health. The learners will conduct high-quality research that will result in scientific documents in the form of publishable peer-reviewed manuscripts and/or a research thesis.

The graduates will exit the qualification as knowledgeable, skilled graduates and/or researchers with competence in scientifically founded and research-based reasoning, being able to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research to a wide range of audiences, interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge and expertise, who appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality. Successful graduates will become trained researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge, at a high and/or expert level, within the field of Public Health and a broad range of competencies to ensure a significant impact on the subject field and community.

On successful completion of the qualification, the graduate must be able to

• Reflect critically on theory and its application in practice.
• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
• Make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal.
• Communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
• Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of Public Health;
• Design and critically appraise research.
• Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team in accordance with good clinical practice and evidence-based research.
• Apply a specialised level of understanding and knowledge in their area of expertise.
• Apply and integrate a scientific (research-based) and specialized level of knowledge and skills within the field of research.
• Apply evidence-based research as a basis for clinical reasoning.
• Evaluate a range of knowledge and scholarly sources and apply it in the required context.
• Appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality.
• Critically reflect on ethical and professional business practices within their area of expertise.
• Be ethically accountable towards the Public Health profession, clients and the community.
• Contribute to the current knowledge base in their area of expertise by presenting, communicating and disseminating academic ideas effectively and in a novel way.
• Use a wide range of specialized and/or expert skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and applying methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging research problems within the field of Public Health.
• Interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
• Present scientific findings to a research audience with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
• Conduct and interpret research within the Public Health scope of practice that will be documented as scientific publishable articles and/or a research thesis which will make a significant original contribution to the field of study.
• Work independently and take full responsibility for their work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts.

The qualification will focus on the development of the ability to critically reflect on and apply scientific and/or expert skills and knowledge regarding research. In addition, the programme also focuses on attitudes, systematic and creative problem-solving skills, scientific and academic communication skills, as well as on the integration of all these concepts, which will culminate in the production of high-quality research in the form of a thesis and/or publishable interrelated manuscripts. The qualification is research-based and consists of one compulsory module applicable to the thesis and/or applicable to the publishable, interrelated manuscripts across two (minimum) to four (maximum) years, totalling 360 credits.

Achievement of the outcomes above converges in one main exit-level outcome: the production of a high-quality Doctoral-level conventional research thesis or a research thesis containing three interrelated published article/s or publishable manuscripts in which the learner must demonstrate that, under supervision, he/she can conduct scientifically sound, theoretically grounded, ethical research in the field of Public Health, and can communicate research findings in an academically appropriate manner.

Rationale

Public Health is an important field which is significant to ensuring the provision of high-quality healthcare services within the health system. South Africa currently faces numerous health system challenges that require graduates with specialised and advanced skills to conduct critical research, and formulate, implement, manage, monitor, and evaluate policies and programs aimed at improving the health status from a population perspective. Public health is concerned with addressing health problems created by the huge burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases; political, social, and economic injustices, health inequalities and climate change; and developing interventions and policies to ensure efficient and effective provision of high-quality healthcare services for all the people living in the country. The future of public health in South Africa lies with young researchers, academics, and practitioners. The qualification will produce a pool of researchers within the public and private healthcare industry who will be able to conduct empirical research to improve healthcare and address public health issues, focusing strategically on a promotive, preventive, and developmental systems level. Graduates are well-positioned to lead public health and health system organizations, address complex health and health system challenges, and can adapt and effectively respond to emerging health needs, threats, and changing health systems.

The health system must provide primary health care, optimum health service utilisation, ensure adequate accessibility, allocate sufficient resources, utilize modern technology, and achieve improved health outcomes. To address all the health inequalities and inequities in the country, the South African health system has decided to implement universal health coverage National Health Insurance (NHI). Critical to the delivery of health services through NHI is the need for critical skills in public health. The need for producing qualified public health graduates is further emphasised within global calls (World Health Organization Strategy for Human Resources for Health and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) and the National Development Plan 2030, National Health Insurance Bill, and other South African Strategies. The qualification was developed in response to these calls to produce adequate and high-quality public health graduates. This qualification will increase the output of qualifying learners to ensure effective health service delivery and improved health outcomes.

The qualification serves multiple purposes

• To produce qualified human resources for public health that can serve in various roles within the health system to enable them to handle various health needs of populations and health challenges as well as transitioning burden of diseases facing South Africa and Africa.
• To produce qualified public health experts that will be able to continue with the health professions education through further production of health professionals in academic environments as teachers and researchers.
• To equip public health professionals already working in the health system or health-related fields with relevant and advanced training to make them more efficient and competent in their respective occupations.
• To provide public health knowledge and skills to graduates from other disciplines who need to be competent in public health to enable them to discharge their responsibilities more efficiently and effectively.

Graduates will exit the qualification as knowledgeable, skilled graduates with competence in performing research and understanding public health concepts, principles, and applications. The graduates will be able to communicate and generate substantial ideas that are the products of research to a range of audiences, interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise, appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality. Graduates will be skilled researchers and public health practitioners who can contribute to the development of knowledge within the field of Public Health, at a high level, as well as a broader range of public health competencies to ensure a significant impact on the subject field, public health work environment and community. Furthermore, the qualification will create an opportunity for learners to pursue evidence-based research applicable to academia or public health practice. Upon completion, public health graduates may be able to work as public health /hospital/clinic managers, health educationists, researchers, clinicians, health advocates, consultants, policy analysts or health advisors, or work alongside other health professionals including social workers and psychologists in diverse populations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advanced standing within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Public Administration in Public Health Care Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• A Master's degree in a cognate field, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits.

• Public Health Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to critique and evaluate current research in public health.
2. Develop, communicate, and apply practical solutions to public health challenges critically, analytically, and creatively.
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, and contextualise local, national, international, and global health-related problems.
4. Demonstrate advanced skills in information retrieval, processing, analysis, and presentation to a variety of public health audiences.
5. Demonstrate the ability to participate rigorously in scholarly debates around public health theory and knowledge production processes in public health practice.
6. Demonstrate the ability to undertake a research project and apply relevant advanced research methods and techniques independently and innovatively.
7. Demonstrate high-level research capability through the production of a research report which meets the standards of professional writing as a thesis.
8. Demonstrate the ability to work or generate work independently and take full responsibility for their work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyze and critique scenarios to demonstrate the multi-faceted risk factors associated with public health risks.
• Critically reflect on ethical and professional business practices in public health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Debate the impact of social-economic, political, and environmental challenges on public health systems. > Use critical examples to demonstrate the linkages between public health and other societal issues e.g., environmental changes, social issues, economic issues etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Conceptualize and apply new ideas of understanding and specialized level of knowledge and skills within the field of research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Contribute to the current knowledge base in their area of expertise by presenting, communicating, and disseminating academic ideas effectively.
• Interact effectively within professional business practices with different levels of knowledge or expertise.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse current debates, paradigms, models, and theories pertaining to the problem that was researched in Public Health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply research-based skills and knowledge required at the most advanced academic levels.
• Develop strategies to address and mitigate the identified weaknesses to improve the current health system processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Conduct research that will be documented as scientific interrelated publishable articles and/or a research thesis which will make a significant original contribution to the field of Public Health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Make a significant and original contribution to public health.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The different modes of delivery of the qualification have appropriate policies and procedures for internal assessment; internal and external moderation; monitoring of learner progress; explicitness, validity, and reliability of assessment practices; recording of assessment results; settling of disputes; the rigour and security of the assessment system; RPL; and for the development of staff competence in assessment.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is embedded in the qualification in the following manner.

• The research process includes several formal stages including the submission of a research proposal, submission of a literature review and submission of regular progress reports.
• At the proposal stage, as well as once the thesis reaches completion, the learner presents to a panel of academics in the department who grade them as part of a formative assessment.
• Preparation of the thesis requires submission of drafts of the chapters.
• Postgraduate learners will receive verbal and written feedback on their work and their progress.
• All learners will present a research seminar at least once each year and this will be another opportunity for critique and feedback.
• All learners will participate in at least one Community of Practice (CoP), and this will be another opportunity for critique and feedback.
• While these assessment activities are not credit-bearing, they will ensure that learners are regularly assessed on progress.
• Research competence and analytical skills are assessed from the thesis and the use of case studies.
• Formative assessment includes developing a research proposal and assisted by seminar presentations, group discussions and debates including written research proposals which are used to assess mastery of the theory and conceptual clarity at the department level.
• The proposal is defended at the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee.
• Formative assessment takes place via the meetings between supervisor and student as well as feedback from the reviewers for the journal.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment entails writing a thesis. It contains a justifiable argument that is based on research and counts 100% of the achievement mark.

On completion of the thesis and the recommendation of the supervisor(s) /promoter(s), the thesis will be examined by two external assessors of which one needs to be an international assessor and one internal assessor. All doctoral degree theses are externally examined, ensuring quality, and providing a level of national and/or international benchmarking. Feedback to learners on their research and/or dissertation is in phases as the research project progresses from protocol submission, conducting the research and writing up the results.