Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology

The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Anatomical Pathology, who may be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

The purpose of the qualification is also to produce graduates 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.

Hence, graduates 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.

FORMALLY ACCREDITED LEARNING AND OTHER QUALITIES

A typical applicant

• 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 7 qualification of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University or an equivalent University-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 University's Academic Complex or other centre approved by the University.

Applicants who do not hold registration for independent practice are also accepted provided they have limited registration with the HPCSA.

In order to comply with the points mentioned above, it is assumed that the applicant shows competence in numeracy, written and oral English, and in the terminology of the chosen field.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Clinical Knowledge and Competence

The qualifying learner is competent in clinical and laboratory skills at the specialist level.

1. Research Ability

The qualifying learner shows expertise in research and the ability to evaluate, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.

1. Attitudes and Values

The qualifying learner shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist practice.

1. Teaching Role

The qualifying learner has knowledge of the principles and practice of Anatomical Pathology from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.

1. Self Development

The qualifying learner will have acquired and will 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.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

a) "identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

b) "working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community." See exit level outcomes 1, 3 and 4.

c) "organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

d) "collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information." See exit level outcomes 1 and 2.

e) "communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

f) "using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 5.

g) "demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5.

h) "contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. "reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;" see exit level outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

ii. "participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;" see exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. "being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;" see exit level outcomes 1, 3 and 4.

iv. "exploring education and career opportunities." See exit level outcome 1 and 5.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities." See exit level outcomes 1 and 5.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates specialist skills of a standard which enables him or her to sit the external examination in the speciality administered by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, or the internal University examination. The learner:

• has developed the necessary skills to correlate clinical information with (macroscopic and microscopic) pattern recognition and visual recall in order to make the correct histological diagnosis.
• is competent and responsible in the use of instruments, equipment and information technology necessary for the practice of anatomical pathology.
• is able to identify appropriate special techniques (such as electron microscopy and immunohistochemical stains) with which to aid and confirm diagnosis.
• can report the diagnosis quickly and efficiently to the referring clinician, health care worker (or patient) so as to optimise therapeutic options.
• is competent in giving intraoperative consultations (in the form of frozen section assessment) prior to definitive surgical management.
• is able to report aspiration cytology in addition to histology and can both report and perform quality control where cytotechnicians report exfoliative cytology (e.g. PAP smears).
• has the necessary skills to perform all aspects an autopsy (including specialised dissection techniques) as well as interpreting the findings thereof in order to come do a definitive diagnosis.
• has the ability to identify and interpret epidemiological trends and to communicate them to other health care professionals and the community.
• has the necessary knowledge to facilitate quality control procedures both in the laboratory and at a diagnostic level.
• is able to undertake all levels of laboratory management.

2. The qualifying learner

• conducts all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• practices Evidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field (e.g. the application of new laboratory applications) and applies it in practice.
• is able to guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.

3. The qualifying learner

• shows respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• demonstrates 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.
• considers both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• strives 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.

4. The qualifying learner

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

5. The qualifying learner

• uses 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.
• acknowledges 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.
• identifies 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 and laboratory practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used for the integrated assessment of research mastery.