Master of Medicine in Anaesthetics

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce medical professionals with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting.

The qualifying learner will be able to

• Conduct research in anaesthesia healthcare delivery systems.
• Generate, disseminate and preserve new knowledge and skills relevant to anaesthesia and critical care provision.
• Gain requisite skills and discipline expected of ethical service driven graduates for provision of anaesthesia and critical care services.

Rationale

Anaesthesia is an essential service in modern medical practice and health delivery systems all over the world. It is the most important scientific discovery in recent times and has revolutionized the practice of surgery and related subjects.

This qualification trains medical doctors to become specialists in the field of anaesthesiology. Candidates will follow the relevant College of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) curriculum and undergo training in a training unit registered by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for this purpose. The qualifying learners will be able to proceed to Doctoral studies.

The qualification will train competent and relevant anaesthesiologists for local and international labour needs in keeping with prevailing trends of the time and adhering to the highest levels of professionalism, ethics and personal integrity for both learners and staff.

Hence, medical health professionals will have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning

There are no other options for entry into the qualification, as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8

And

• Is registered for independent practice as a medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and as such holds the minimum of the NQF Level 8 qualification of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the Institution or an equivalent Institution-approved qualification - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.
• Holds the equivalent of an approved full-time training post in the Institution's Academic Complex or other centre approved by the Institution.
• Applicants who do not hold registration for independent practice are also accepted provided they have limited registration with the HPCSA.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9 480 Credits

• Applied Anatomy, Physiology, Physics and Pharmacology in Anaesthetic Practice, 115 credits
• The Principles and Practice of Anaesthesia I, 55 credits
• Peri-operative Care in relation to Anaesthetic Practice I, 55 credits
• Research Report I, 70 credits
• The Principles and Practice of Anaesthesia II, 55 credits
• Peri-operative Care in relation to Anaesthetic Practice II, 55 credits
• Research Report II, 70 credits.

1. Demonstrate competence in anaesthetic procedures at the specialist level.
2. Evaluate, teach and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
3. Apply ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist anaesthetic practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
4. Assess principles and practice of medicine from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.
5. Demonstrate self direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a peri-operative management plan.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to obtain a history, to explain the peri-operative procedures.
• Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in anaesthesia.

. Use instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of anaesthesia.

Associated Assessment Criteria for exit level outcome 2

• Show research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions.
• Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• Practice evidence-based medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice.
• Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
• Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
• Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health .
• Strive to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of this branch of specialist medicine.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals.
• Communicate this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible citizen.
• Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (cpd) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory cpd requirements.
• Identify personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical practice. Further, the research report that the candidate submits is used for the integrated assessment of research mastery.

Formative assessment

• Formative assessment will be undertaken continuously, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks, as well as reports on the research plan. Such methods will assess the students' progress towards the academic and professional competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate analytical, theoretical, and reflective competence. To pass the course and qualify, the learner must demonstrate the advanced knowledge acquired. Formative assessments will use the modes of self-assessment, peer assessment, and internal assessment by members of the academic staff of the faculty.

Summative assessment

• Summative assessment will be conducted by means of written examinations, examination of assignments, and assessment of the research proposal and report. These assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical, and reflective competence.

To promote, monitor, and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.