Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners with specialist training in the branch of Clinical Pathology. It will produce learners 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 them in an educational setting. Hence, the learners will have competence in the practice of Clinical Pathology and can contribute to the need for specialist practice in the health sciences in South Africa.

The learner will demonstrate the ability to use specialist knowledge and a wide range of specialized skills in Clinical Pathology. The learner will be able to identify, apply, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging clinical and laboratory diagnostic problems. Lastly, Learners will have an understanding of the consequences, including ethical, professional of any solutions and insights within the field of Clinical Pathology and to communicate the results effectively.

This qualification provides opportunities for future training and development of registrars in Clinical pathology in the medical schools in South Africa. This 5-year qualification will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes befitting a pathologist specialising in Clinical Pathology through teaching/training, work-based-learning and active research.

Rationale

The Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology is a 5-year qualification designed for medical doctors wishing to pursue a career in Pathology.

Currently, the health sector in South Africa has a shortage of medical doctors, especially pathologists. The qualification aims to help address this existing shortage by producing medical specialists, namely Clinical Pathologists, who will be capable of working both in public and private health sectors.

Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Independent Specialist in Clinical Pathology and practice as Pathologists (Clinical) thus addressing the current skills shortages in the county. 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 clinical pathology. These learners should be sought after, be gainfully employed and actively contributing to both a healthier society and economy.

The primary aim is for qualified pathologists (Clinical) to pursue a career in either the public or private health care sector in South Africa providing diagnostic laboratory services and consultations to medical doctors in the country. Other career paths include Management, Medical education (lecturer), Research, Further studies (PhD or sub-specialisation) etc.

The qualification will produce suitably qualified clinical pathologists that can work in either the public or private health care sectors. A wide range of employment opportunities is available to Pathologists (Clinical). These include, but not limited to:

Government sector

• Pathologist (Clinical) at Public Laboratories, e.g. NHLS,
• Lecturer at Universities,
• Researcher in research institutions such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), Human Science Research Council (HSRC) etc,
• Management (health care sector).

Private Sector

• Pathologist (Clinical).
• Lecturer at Private Universities.
• Management (health care sector).

The recognised learning on the clinical platform during internship and community service.

Securing a training post is competitive; therefore, prior learning/work experience in a clinical diagnostic laboratory or related field and research output would be advantageous in securing a position.

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), i.e. post successful completion of internship and community service.

And

• Appointment to an accredited registrar post recognized by the HPCSA.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 900 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 900 Credits

• General Pathology, 180 Credits.
• Chemical Pathology, 180 Credits.
• Haematological Pathology, 180 Credits.
• Medical Microbiology and Virology, 180 Credits.
• Clinical Pathology (Mini-dissertation), 180 Credits.

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge of disease processes related to Clinical Pathology.
• Perform and interpret the laboratory tests related to the practice of Clinical pathology and to offer a specialised clinical opinion.
• Initiate and manage a pathology service laboratory.
• Use a wide range of specialised skills in Clinical Pathology to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems; and have an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the field of Clinical Pathology.
• Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and to choose an appropriate method of enquiry for Clinical Pathology.
• Develop his/her learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development.

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

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient and other health care workers as a team.
• Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of Clinical Pathology.
• Demonstrate competence and responsibility in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for this practice.
• 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 relevant to Clinical Pathology.
• Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation: Clinical Pathology.
• Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture, and way of life.
• Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions, where applicable.
• Demonstrate 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 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 the community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practice of Clinical Pathology.
• Teach through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to the advanced level to other professionals.
• Communicate this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality: Clinical Pathology.
• 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) 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

Weekly presentations and assessments, written papers, practicals and oral examinations with the external examination (Internal) and External examination with Colleges of Medicine of SA (CMSA)

In addition to the above, learners will compile a portfolio of evidence during their five-year training. Work-based learning continuously tests all Exit Level Outcomes when learners are required to apply knowledge in clinical pathology to solve clinical diagnostic problems/analytical laboratory process-related issues and communicate their findings accordingly.

Research Project in Clinical Pathology

The compilation of a research proposal for ethical approval and the final mini-dissertation showcases the learners applied competence:

• In the scope of clinical pathology knowledge;
• Knowledge literacy; methods and procedures;
• Problem solving; assessing, processing and managing information;
• Management of learning;
• Ethics and professional practice, communication (oral and written) and accountability.

The final research report is in the form of a mini-dissertation.