Master of Medical Science in Transfusion Medicine

Purpose

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine is a comprehensive research qualification which aims at encouraging life-long learning skills that will enable graduates to provide quality health care, particularly related to the application, administration and management of blood and blood products. The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine encourages graduates to act ethically and professionally, think analytically, evaluate and apply relevant information within the health care system. Such graduates should thus support the provision of quality health care to South African society.

On completion of the qualification the student will have acquired the necessary research skills and the ability to apply knowledge and solve problems in the field of Transfusion Medicine.

Rationale

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine addresses the need for capacity building and the development of scarce skills in the application of transfusion medicine. Although various stakeholders in the health services sector apply transfusion medicine on a daily basis, minimal opportunities for training is this specialist area exist. Consistent with the vision of the National Department of Health, the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine intends to develop scarce skills that may improve the quality of health care for all, adding to building a society in which all South Africans have access to an efficient health care delivery system.

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine allows a candidate to obtain a nationally recognised qualification that permits access to horizontally and vertically articulated qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework, enhancing the status and employability of people working within the field of transfusion medicine.

Candidates admitted to the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine programme are proficient in knowledge and skills equivalent to NQF Level 8, implying that the student has acquired general theoretical and practical knowledge associated with the application of blood and blood products. Apart from the aforementioned generic skills and competencies, applicants entering the programme have obtained an MBChB Degree and therefore have relevant clinical experience in the application of transfusion medicine.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied on an individual basis and will be conducted in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy of the institution, in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Access to the Qualification

Admission to the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine programme is determined in accordance with the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees and the regulations of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Students will be admitted to the programme if they are in possession of a MBChB Degree, or equivalent qualification, and a Postgraduate Diploma: Transfusion Medicine or equivalent.

In addition, applicants must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or equivalent health authorities for the country of origin.

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine is a comprehensive research qualification and does not require the completion of different modules.

The qualification equals 180 credits and the minimum duration of study is one year.

Candidates are required to complete a mandatory research project, accompanied by a dissertation providing evidence that the student has obtained knowledge and competencies at NQF Level 9.

1. Incorporate, through research, a systematic understanding of in-depth knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights, informed by and at the forefront of Transfusion Medicine research and its related area of professional practice.
2. Integrate originality in the application and command of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret new knowledge in the discipline.
3. Develop a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the field of Transfusion Medicine, to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
4. Demonstrate an advanced scholarship in the field of Transfusion Medicine.
5. Develop an ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the area of Transfusion Medicine.
6. Utilise the resources of academic and professional discourses to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are generic to all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of in-depth knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and new trends informed by research within the ambit of professional practice in the field of Transfusion Medicine.
• Apply original knowledge and competencies obtained via research in order to demonstrate how latest research trends impact on the practice of Transfusion Medicine.
• Critically evaluate current research in the field of Transfusion Medicine, as well as critique current methodologies in the field in order to propose new hypotheses if appropriate.
• Apply a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the area of Transfusion Medicine.
• Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect professional issues.
• Develop own learning strategies to sustain independent learning and academic or professional development and interact effectively within the professional group as a means of enhancing learning.
• Work independently and take full responsibility for own practice, which includes accountability for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices.
• Submit a research dissertation that meets the required standards for report writing with regard to coherence, analysis, interpretation and ethical considerations.

Integrated Assessment

The UFS endorses excellence and academic integrity of Postgraduate research and assessments are accordingly arranged by means of clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria. Students' dissertations are subjected to summative assessment by both internal and external examiners. Guidelines and criteria on the standard of the research achievement are provided to examiners. Clear procedures and responsibilities for the consideration of examiners' reports are communicated by the department. After consideration of examiners' reports, supervisors communicate applicable corrections and further work to students.