Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology

Purpose

Learners will gain a clear understanding of the disease processes and their diagnosis. They will be competent in Emergency, Critical and chronic laboratory medicine. They will acquire research skills adequate for one to be part of a research team and eventually form their research groups.

Rationale

Chemical Pathology also is known as Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Chemistry which is a discipline in medicine that utilises concentrations, quantities, activities and ratios of chemicals in samples to elucidate the basis of disease/pathology. The term clinical biochemistry arises from the fact that derangement in the normal biochemical pathway gives rise to changes in the levels of chemical(s) in the affected pathway resulting in clinical symptoms and signs. In Clinical Chemistry, there is a use of chemistry analytical methods and reactions to identify and assess the levels of the chemical responsible for the observed clinical features. An appreciation of the preceding means that levels of chemicals outside the reference range are responsible for the clinical features (pathology secondary to altered levels of chemicals = Chemical Pathology).

Chemical Pathology brings together science and medicine and relates to all medical specialities, and there is a consultation about the investigation and management of patients with rare abnormalities. Certain investigations overlap into another pathology discipline like Immunochemistry and Haemochemistry. Major subsections of Chemical Pathology like Endocrinology, Dyslipidaemia, Cytogenetics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders which constitute large sections under metabolic medicine requiring molecular techniques to confirm the diagnosis. The need to have a medical specialist who understands both the science and the clinical aspect of disease/pathology was the basis for the development of chemical pathology. The training follows the rules and regulations of both the national training institution (Colleges of Medicine South Africa) and the statutory body (Health Professions Council of South Africa) that regulates medical practice in South Africa.

The training of medical learners as Chemical pathologists will understand related clinical features to the scientific aspects and analytical processes. In some cases, it involves introducing and carrying out special esoteric analyses, developing and implementing new techniques. The increase in the number of Chemical pathology requests resulted in the introduction of automated analysers, usually operated by technologists. The quality and provision of all tests and assessment of the significance of the results, especially for esoteric tests, remain the responsibility of the chemical pathologist.

Primary Health Care has been successful in regions or countries where laboratory diagnosis formed part of primary health care. Therefore learners have vast opportunities in the health sector because Chemical pathology the implementation can successful at this level. Optimum primary health diagnosis and treatment will reduce the current burden of central and tertiary health institutions. The Optimum primary health diagnosis and treatment has a direct positive impact on the national budget and gross domestic product.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution will consider RPL in case of a transfer. The discussion will be at the level of institutions, and so that of all records (full portfolio) are transferred. The institution will need to transfer credit rights to the institution after successful completion of the program.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

And

• Registration with HPCSA as a medical practitioner Independent Practice.

And

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

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 720 Credits

• General Physiology, 20 Credits.
• Molecular Biology, 32 Credits.
• Basic Chemical Pathology, 116 Credits.
• Intermediate Chemical Pathology, 180 Credits.
• Chemical Pathology, 192 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation (Chemical Pathology), 180 Credits.

• Manage high-quality laboratories and of contributing effectively to the investigation and management of patients.

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

- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of, and skills in

> Biochemistry, physiology, general and special pathology.

> The biochemical and metabolic basis of disease.

> The application of laboratory test results to the investigation and management of patients.

> The investigation of clinical and laboratory problems.

> The provision of specialist opinion in Chemical Pathology.

> Accreditation theory and practice.

> Physical and chemical principles of analytical techniques and analytical methods.

> Efficient laboratory administration and management skills to provide an effective service.

> Data Management and computational skills and knowledge.

> Health and Safety requirements for laboratories.

> The processes required to do research namely reviewing the literature, writing scientific proposals, writing ethics and grant applications.

> The ability to critically assess the literature and the ability to draw valid conclusions from the data.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessments occur throughout the training period.

Case Presentations

Each registrar will be obliged to present six cases during every year of training.

Each case will be assessed using the following criteria and will form part of the annual formative assessment of the registrar:

• Understanding the theory of the case.
• Clinical assessment of the case.
• Proposed additional investigations or comment on the appropriateness of the investigations performed.
• Laboratory issues that could influence the work-up.
• Overall summary of the case.
• Presentation.

Seminars

Registrars will be obliged to present a minimum of three seminars per year. Each seminar will

• Require a review of the current literature.
• Test the ability of the registrar to understand, summarise and highlight the important issues surrounding the chosen topic.
• Assess the presentation skills of the registrar.

Practical skills

The assessment of the practical skills is as follows

• Understanding the principles of the technique or procedure.
• Risk assessment.
• Ability to evaluate quality control measures.
• Ability to perform the procedure.
• Ability to troubleshoot the process.
• Ability to interpret the data appropriately.

All assessments are in accordance to the university assessment policy and the examination rules.