Master of Medicine in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

The purpose of the Master of Medicine in Cardio-Thoracic qualification is to produce learners with specialist training in Cardiothoracic Surgery, who are a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. It is also to produce learners with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of Cardiothoracic Surgery specialisation and the ability to guide junior learners if the learner is in an educational setting usually as a component of work-integrated learning. Hence, the learners have competence in the practice of Cardio-thoracic Surgery and can contribute to the need for specialist practice in the health sciences in South Africa.

This qualification focuses specifically on Cardiothoracic Surgery and provides learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes. The qualification is following the guidelines of the HPCSA and the College of Medicine of South Africa.

The qualification aims to provide learners with the foundation for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and for contributing to society at large through advanced patient care, innovation, scholarship and leadership in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Rationale

As indicated under purpose, the burden of disease in SA is both in communicable and non-communicable disease. The disease spectra in both areas are quite varied, as evidenced in the scope and standards of cardiothoracic surgical practice. Cardiothoracic surgical interventions arise in all these areas. A rise in obesity and diabetes warrants that a well-trained cardiothoracic surgeon is available to treat ischaemic heart disease in its different forms. An increase in cancers, especially in and on the chest requires a cardiothoracic surgeon well trained to treat these conditions surgically. The burden of HIV/AIDS is not decreasing currently. Together with it comes the increase in PTB, vascular complications like an aneurysm, etc., that require cardiothoracic intervention.

In Africa, rheumatic heart disease and valvular heart disease is still a real problem that requires the intervention of a cardiothoracic surgeon. Life expectancy has increased in South Africa, and therefore, age-related cardiovascular diseases are also on the increase. Hence the need for a cardiothoracic surgeon to deal with these problems. CT-surgery, as the HPCSA, regulates any medical qualification.

This qualification contributes to the drive to revitalise clinical research in a developing country like South Africa to enhance health care at all levels by identifying the causes of problems, facilitating diagnosis, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care, and promoting good policy-making. The clinical research and training force is ageing and has also been steadily declining in numbers since the early 1990s. The combined burden of clinical teaching and training, health service and research thus fall on a shrinking and ageing pool of academics in health science faculties. The Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery improves the capacity to increase the production of properly trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and university teachers.

A higher level of responsiveness to diverse regional and national human resources, skills and knowledge needs in healthcare provision, in particular for rural areas and the public sector which is in line with the social accountability focus of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Holders of a Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery will be greatly needed for the implementation of the NHI to ensure equitable health care for all. Presented by experts in the field and based on the syllabus of the Colleges of Medicine in South Africa (CMSA), it will contribute towards the special medical qualification and to the scientific and intellectual capacity of our country and beyond. The successful learners will meet the specific needs of the medical profession, academia, the public sector, as well as the private sector.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

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

And

• Registration with Health Professions Council of South Africa.

And

• Appointment to a Registrar's post recognised by the HPCSA.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9, totalling 900 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Applied Anatomy for Surgical Discipline, 20 Credits.
• General Physiology, 20 Credits.
• General Surgical Pathology, 180 Credits.
• General Principles of Surgery with emphasis on Intensive Care, 160 Credits.
• Thoracic Surgery, 160 Credits.
• Dissertation, 360 Credits.

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a complex and specialised area.
• Demonstrate expertise in highly specialised technical and advanced research skills.
• Create responses to abstract problems that either expand or redefine existing knowledge.
• Conduct research independently.
• Communicate effectively.
• Engage in lifelong learning.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Demonstrate the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to function and practice as a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon.
• Solve common and uncommon patient problems using a variety of specialised technical skills.
• Resolve contextual and abstract problems at an individual and a community level.
• Present a dissertation on research conducted.
• Participate in teaching seminars.
• Participate in the maintenance of professional competence continuously.

Integrated Assessment

Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and skills following standards laid down by the University and Professional Board through Clinical performance such as written, oral, practical/clinical examinations and Research report. The integrated assessment will contain the following:

• Continuous Assessment.
• Case studies.
• Projects.
• Practical Assignments.
• Oral presentations.
• Written and oral tests and examinations.
• Dissertation.
• Publications in refereed scientific journals.

There is moderation and the assessment documents to ensure that

• They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
• The construction is in a way that the assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

Assessments

• Include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure the achievement of Foundational Competency.
• Are verified by internal verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.
• The research component of the qualification studies a problem within the research focus of the division in more detail. Learners must produce a mini-dissertation and a publishable ready article for assessment by internal and external examiners as per the university rules.