Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology

The Health Professions Council of South Africa HPCSA recognises Anatomical Pathology as a speciality.

This programme forms part of the credentialing process for medical practitioners as specialists in Anatomical Pathology (including CytoPathology).

It aims to provide sufficient training in Anatomical Pathology (including CytoPathology) to enable competent, ethical practice as an Anatomical Pathologist.

Candidates must hold a Health Professions Council of South Africa HPCSA - approved Registrar post in a teaching hospital during the training period which is usually 4 years.

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MBChB or equivalent qualification recognised by the Senate of the University of Cape Town and registration with the HPCSA Medical Practitioner (having fulfilled Internship and Community Service requirements).

Senior certificate with Matriculation Exemption or Equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree

MB ChB or equivalent.

a) Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching learning)

b) General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

c) Specific outcomes (including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated)

1. The MMedPath (Anat) graduate is able to apply knowledge of the anatomical basis of disease processes to the rendering of tissue diagnoses.
2. The MMed.Path (Anat) graduate has sufficient laboratory skills and experience to manage and assess an Anatomical Pathology laboratory.
3. The MMedPath (Anat) graduate has sufficient depth of understanding of the anatomical basis of disease processes to competently undertake research (and development)

a) Not applicable to this professional specialist qualification.

b) Not applicable to this professional specialist qualification.

1. Is able to describe and explain the anatomical basis and mechanisms of human disease, and to recognise them at a macro- and microscopic level.
2. Is able to describe and explain the theoretical principles underlying the preparation and processing of various kinds of specimens/tissues, and to perform the necessary dissections.
3. Is able to describe and explain the theoretical principles underlying the different kinds of microscopy used in the speciality, along with the staining and special-staining, immuno-cytochemical and molecular techniques generally employed.
4. Is able to synthesise all the available clinical information and the pathological (surgical or autopsy) findings in any case to arrive at an accurate diagnosis (or differential diagnosis) to be acted upon by the clinician(s) concerned, and to help prognosticate.
5. Is able to recognise and acknowledge his/her limitations, and seek more expert help.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Part I

Certification by the head of the training department that at least I year of training in an approved post (registrar-level or equivalent) has taken place prior to the Part I examinations.

The Part I Examination consists of written, practical and oral examinations (scrutinised by external examiner(s)), and must be passed within 18 months of commencing formal training in Anatomical pathology.

Part II

Certification by the head of the training department that at least 3 further years of training in an approved post (registrar-level or equivalent) has taken place prior to the Part II Examination.

In total, at least 3 years must have been spent in Anatomical Pathology, while the required additional year of post-graduate training or experience may be spent in Anatomical Pathology (including its branches of Cytology, Neuropathology or Paediatric Pathology) or in any of the following fields in the Pathology disciplines:

Chemical Pathology, Forensic Pathology, Haematopathology, Immunology, Medical Microbiology or Medical Virology.

The Part II Examination consists of written, practical and oral examinations (scrutinised of external examiner(s), and can only be entered after a minimum of 32 months approved experience in Anatomical Pathology.

Part III

A dissertation presenting the results of the candidate's own laboratory-based research must be submitted and forms part of the final assessment of the candidate.

It must be submitted within 24 months of completing the Part 2 Examination.