Master of Health Sciences in Chiropractic

Purpose

The qualifying learners of the Master of Health Sciences in Chiropractic must be able to reflect critically on theory and its application. The learners must be able to:

• deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively;
• design and critically appraise chiropractic and health care research;
• make sound judgements regarding patient care and management and communicate their conclusions clearly to other medical specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems through the use of evidence-based practice;
• act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning; and
• continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in the discipline of Chiropractic.

This qualification is underpinned by defined strategies in understanding and applying research design and critical appraisal of literature to make sound judgements utilising data and information at their disposal. The qualifying learner must be able to clearly, effectively and succinctly convey the information to peers within the health industry, patients and society. To achieve this consistently, the qualifying learner must be a self- directed learner who can tackle and solve problems creatively, autonomously plan and implement tasks/strategies, with the appropriate theoretical underpinning to achieve the best clinical outcomes for the patient and simultaneously advance their knowledge, understanding and skills to promote the profession and its growth.

Rationale

In the South African context, there are approximately 815 qualified chiropractors registered with The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. The majority of these practitioners are located in the main metropolitan areas of Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape; more chiropractors are needed to meet the demand. Chiropractors treat patients who are suffering from musculoskeletal pain, primarily neck and low back pain. Both of which, if not managed correctly, can lead to the development of chronic illness, which has a substantial economic and social burden. With the growing health care needs of South Africans chiropractors, as primary contact health care professionals can help alleviate the burden of disease and disability.

The research component of the Chiropractic should be commensurate with clinical responsibilities, decision making and responsibility to the patient, the health care system and the profession in the South African and global contexts. This research should take the form of a mini-dissertation or the equivalent research output.

Learners achieving this qualification will be eligible to register as interns with the Allied Health Service Professions Council. As interns, they will be able to render a service, including the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of disease and the promotion of health, as well as the application of primary health care principles and practices to both rural and urban societies, including the management of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Following the completion of the internship, they will be competent and legally entitled, as granted by the appropriate authority, to practice independently as chiropractors, to conduct research in this field and to interact with other health-care professionals.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

The Department's RPL process will be aligned to the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and will include representation from the professional body when reviewing RPL applications. The purpose of the institution's RPL policy, which includes this qualification is to:

• Provide a framework for the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning procedures within the institution.
• Facilitate access and admission to qualifications within education and training and career paths.
• Accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
• Promote and facilitate lifelong learning.
• Outline general procedures relating to the processing of RPL applications at the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Health Sciences in Chiropractic, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 188 Credits.

• Research Project and Dissertation V, 88 Credits.
• Chiropractic Case Management V, 12 Credits.
• Chiropractic Practice Management and Jurisprudence V, 12 Credits.
• Diagnostic Imaging V, 12 Credits.
• Clinical Chiropractic Practicum VA, 32 Credits.
• Clinical Chiropractic Practicum VB, 32 Credits.

1. Critically evaluate and interpret disciplinary and interdisciplinary sources of literature for professional application and research development in the field of Chiropractic.
2. Evaluate and appropriately manage the chiropractic patient by formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan within the scope of practice and context of musculoskeletal health and well-being.
3. Apply the specialised knowledge, skills and techniques of Chiropractic for health promotion and disease prevention, using a biopsychosocial, patient-centred and evidence-based paradigms.
4. Exhibit effective personal and professional communication skills, both written and verbal, within the context of health and in the local, national and international multi-cultural context of health care.
5. Relate the principles of practice management, jurisprudence and medical law and ethics as they relate to the practice of Chiropractic.
6. Engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning to enhance patient care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify a research problem for investigation, conducting a thorough literature review, selecting the appropriate research methodology, collecting and analysing the data and presenting the findings as a critical analysis of the research in the form of a dissertation, in line with scientific standards, for examination.
• Conduct research ethically following established research methodology practice.
• Appraise and apply scientific literature for application in an evidenced-based clinical practice paradigm.
• Defend and reflect on patient management strategies using scientific literature to support practice.
• Comply and implement juristic and practice regulations in a professional doctor-patient environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Systematically assess, showing advanced knowledge and skill, the chiropractic patient, taking cognisance of their cultural and social background.
• Use appropriate communication and clinical skills to determine a primary and differential diagnosis.
• Compile a patient management plan, contextualised in a biopsychosocial and evidenced-based paradigm to address the patient's complaint, health and well-being.
• Apply ethical, juristic and regulations as described in the relevant acts, rules and regulations, to the doctor-patient encounter.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify, describe and communicate health promotion and disease prevention strategies for a range of health conditions that can be given/said to a patient presenting to a chiropractor addressing public health issues.
• Demonstrate clinical acumen and the application of specialised knowledge within a patient-centred paradigm to determine the appropriate intervention strategies to assist the patient from a biopsychosocial perspective to regain health.
• Reflect critically on clinical practice to inform future patient management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Relate diagnoses and patient management plans in an efficient, comprehensive yet understandable manner to a patient.
• Demonstrate good doctor-patient communication skills.
• Construct written patient reports and patient file documentation that meet the standards of inter-professional communication and medical record keeping.
• Express one professionally ensuring responsibility (both to self, patient and society), cultural sensitivity, accountability and demeanour appropriate to the health care context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Appraise clinical situations to apply the appropriate practice management, jurisprudence and medical laws and codes of ethics as they relate to the doctor-patient encounter.
• Evaluate and contextualise the ethical, juristic, business practice principles, legal and financial requirements as they pertain to running a chiropractic practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Substantiate clinical practice through scientific literature and critical engagement and reflection on practice.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge, with theoretical underpinnings, that lead to creative and critical engagement in the health care context.
• Analyse treatment intervention by reflection and engagement with the scientific literature to improve practice.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is done following the Institution's Policy on Assessment.

The assessment practices ensure that assessment is valid, reliable, fair and secure. Internal Examiners are responsible for designing, running and marking both formative and summative assessments, for recording the results and for giving feedback to learners timeously.

The institution will moderate all modules at the exit level externally. Moderation of question papers and a sample of answer scripts will also take place. External moderators have the right to adjust marks and may comment on: the validity of the assessment methods used concerning learning outcomes; the quality of learner performance against outcomes, professional standards and generic qualification standards; the reliability of the marking process; the quality of feedback given to learners and any concerns/irregularities.

The examination of the dissertation is conducted according to the institutions' policy for examination of Higher Degrees. The work-integrated learning is conducted in line with the institutions' policy. Teaching and learning pedagogic modalities used in the qualification include problem based learning, case studies and simulations. The Chiropractic Clinic at the institution allows the learner to obtain an authentic work experience where there are patients that are booked through a clinic administrator/secretary for each learner.

The assessment of graduate attributes will occur using formal and/or informal integrated assessment methods and activities such as teamwork skills, project presentations, consultations with clinical instructors.