Master of Medicine

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Medicine. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

1. To equip a basically qualified medical doctor (with a MB, ChB or equivalent qualification) with specialised knowledge as well as the skills and attitudes required as a specialist in one of the 26 subprogram disciplines in agreement wit the requirements of the Professional Board of the HPSCA, in order for the graduate to be able to function as an independent practitioner in the relevant speciality within any service providing and academic environment.
2. In accordance with the strategic framework of the university of Stellenbosch and its Faculty of Medicine, produce professional that will, in a conscientious manner deliver comprehensive health care to the patient as an individual and as a member of society.
3. To produce specialists with the generic higher order cognitive, psychomotor and affective as well as discipline specific technical skills required for the specific speciality (subprogram)
4. To enable development of the attitudes and abilities needed to become an independent learner and to accept the responsibility for continuous lifelong professional development.
5. To develop the ability to critically evaluate and interpret the relevant literature and to apply it in the profession.
6. To enable the planning, execution, interpretation and publication of advanced and independent research relevant to the discipline (program)
7. To prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and ethics
8. To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the future advancement of the chosen speciality (program) and to make provision for the country's need for a skilled workforce of the highest calibre and to ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of growing global competition

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: MB,ChB (or degree recognised as equivalent by the university and Medical and Dental Professional Board of the HPCSA)

Additional requirements

Must be in possession of MB, ChB (or recognised equivalent) for at least two years.

Must be registered by the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the HPCSA as a medical practitioner.

1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

1. The ability to identify and solve problems in such a way that it will be clear that responsible and creative decisions are reached by way of critical and creative thinking.
2. The ability to effectively co-operate with other people as member of a health team.
3. The ability to organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities in a responsible and efficient manner.
4. The ability to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
5. The ability to communicate effectively by way of oral or written debate.
6. The ability to utilise science and technology effectively and critically, but always in a manner which demonstrates responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.

2). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

The MMed graduate will have

1. A comprehensive and specialised knowledge of the chosen fields of study (program)
2. Mastery of the basic subjects forming the foundation of the speciality (e.g. anatomy, physiology etc)
3. Mastery of the advanced theory and its application to a specialised field of Medicine.
4. Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills required for the independent practice of the speciality
5. The generic higher order cognitive, psychomotor and affective as well as the discipline specific technical skills required for the specific speciality.
6. Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject of the speciality.
7. Well-developed research skills
8. The inclination and ability to be an independent learner and will have accepted the responsibility for lifelong continuous professional development.

The MMed graduate will be able to

1. Perform independent analysis of new data and clinical problems using a wide range of methods and techniques appropriately.
2. Critically evaluate, interpret and apply the relevant literature.
3. Extrapolate implications beyond given data
4. Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues
5. Review evidence supporting conclusions critically
6. Identify and define complex problems and to apply appropriate knowledge and skills for their solution
7. Plan, execute, interpret and publish research relevant to the discipline
8. Challenge orthodox theory and make value judgements
9. Interact and engage in constructive debate with peers
10. Produce detailed and coherent clinical reports
11. Take initiative, negotiate effectively and manage conflict

The MMed graduate will demonstrate

1. Capacity for independent study via the completion of a dissertation or publication during the final study year.
2. Understanding and application of appropriate academic and professional values
3. The ability to take calculated risks
4. Self-reflexivity and adaptability

2).

1. The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualifications achieved.
2. Written, oral and clinical (practical) examinations as well as an written assignment or publication are used. In those programs where the basis (pre-clinical) subjects forms apart of the program, such subjects must be passed (50% minimum) within the first two years after registration as a student. The main subject must be passed (50% minimum) before completion of the residency period (4 or 5 years, depending on the program). An external examiner is involved with the final evaluation of the main subject and the written assignment or the publication (if it has not yet been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal)
3. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The assessment will vary to a certain extent between the 26 different programs, but in general will consist of at least a comprehensive written, oral and clinical examination at the end of the program with the program with the purpose of assessing the student's ability to integrate the work done in the different modules an disciplines of the program. The main purpose of this assessment is to ensure that the student acquired the necessary skills and attitudes required as a specialist in one of the 26 subprogram disciplines in agreement with the requirements of the Professional Board of the HPCSA, in order for the graduate to be able to function as an independent practitioner in the relevant speciality within any service providing and academic environment.

An written assignment or publication (suitable for presentation to or already accepted by a peer-reviewed journal) on a relevant research project is required as the final examination, to evaluate the student's ability to plan and execute a research project, perform a literature survey, apply elementary statistical principles and reach a meaningful conclusion. The student will thus have to prove that he/she has developed independent and critical judgement, the ability to discuss existing and newly discovered knowledge in a meaningful way and that the research will contribute to existing knowledge