Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of Clinical Pathology 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.

On completion, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate competence in clinical and laboratory skills at the specialist level
• Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
• Apply ethical, compassionate, and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist medical practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
• Assess the principles and practice of medicine from the basic to an advanced level, and can train others in the specialty
• Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations, and evaluate her or his own progress.

Rationale

South Africa is in a resource-limited setting. Healthcare in particular is faced with limited access to laboratory professionals. Currently pathologists are predominantly placed at large academic and referral sites.

The clinical pathology training platform allows for a specialist training programme where a pathologist ican expertise through training across 3 pathology disciplines namely Haematology, Medical Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry. This allows for the placement of pathologists in district and regional level sites to offer valuable assistance to healthcare workers.

The qualification will produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Clinical Pathology, who may be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and proceed to Doctoral studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning

There are no other options for entry into the qualification as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9 480 Credits

• Application of Basic Sciences in Pathology, 120 credits
• Chemical Pathology (Clinical), 70 credits
• Microbiology, 70 credits
• Research Report I, 70 credits
• Haematology (Clinical), 75 credits
• Research Report II, 75 credits.

1. Demonstrate competence in clinical and laboratory skills at the specialist level
2. Evaluate, teach and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
3. Apply ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist medical practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
4. Assess the principles and practice of medicine from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality
5. 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.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate 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:

. Develop skills in the three disciplines of clinical pathology, namely haematology, microbiology and chemical pathology and is able to integrate these where appropriate

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to interpret patient results and suggest appropriate further action
• Advise on treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the individual patient or at a public health level
• Use of instruments, equipment and information technology necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied
• Interpret laboratory results
• Select appropriate diagnostic methods
• Implement quality control in the laboratory
• Undertake all aspects of laboratory management

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Show research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions
• 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 (e.g. the application of new laboratory applications) and applies it in practice
• Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• Demonstrate 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.
• Consider both 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 community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of this branch of specialist medicine.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• 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) in order 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

IFormative assessment

On this qualification, formative assessment is used to monitor and support students' progress towards achieving the learning outcomes, while summative assessment measures the extent to which students have achieved the learning outcomes. Formative assessment is sometimes called "assessment for learning", while summative assessment is called "assessment of learning".

Formative (60%) and summative assessment (40%)

Candidates will be expected to complete, on an ongoing basis, a portfolio of evidence as part of continuous workplace-based assessments. Candidate must successfully pass the CMSA clinical pathology examinations, which is an integrated assessment as it comprises both a theory and practical component.

As part of the integrated assessment, candidates will be expected to undergo an end-of-rotation discipline-specific exit exam at the end of each rotation in Haematology, Medical Microbiology, and Chemical Pathology. This will ensure that they have attained the necessary competencies for each discipline.

Integrated assessment is performed continuously through evaluation of performance in clinical and laboratory practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used in the integrated assessment of research mastery.

In order to promote, monitor, and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.