Master of Medicine in Dermatology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to equip the learners with theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to be registered as specialists in Dermatology. The qualification aims to provide a specialist with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, research expertise and applied competence in dermatology and related fields to enable the competent practice of dermatology in the private, public, and academic sectors and to conduct research in the specialised field of dermatology. It aims to meet the needs for formal examination and certification as a specialist dermatologist. The completion of training will allow the trainee to obtain registration with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist clinician in the field of Dermatology.

Upon completion of this qualification qualifying learners will be able to

• Critically appraise and apply current and new scientific knowledge in the practice of Dermatology.
• Work effectively in a team with other healthcare professionals, behave honourably towards them and acknowledge and respect their opinions.
• Communicate effectively with patients and other multidisciplinary team members, including presenting clinical cases and research outputs to the professional community and the public within the relevant ethical framework.

Rationale

There is a shortage of Dermatologists in South Africa, and most Dermatologists are in the major cities. There is a need to train dermatologists to deal with the burden of skin diseases, teach dermatology to primary health care professionals, undergraduates, and postgraduates as well as conduct relevant research in the field. Accreditation for postgraduate training in Dermatology was granted to the institution by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPSCA). This qualification requires learners who completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) or equivalent plus registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an independent practitioner.

Qualifying learners will be employed by the Department of Health as specialist registrars during their postgraduate training. The curriculum supports the spiral nature of learning that underpins a trainee's continual development. It also recognizes that for many of the competencies outlined, there is a maturation process whereby practitioners become more adept and skilled as their career and experience progresses. It is intended that doctors should recognize that the acquisition of basic competencies is often followed by an increasing sophistication and complexity of that competence throughout their career.

Learners will undergo competitive selection into Dermatology speciality training which also takes into consideration demography, gender and other additional objective evidence that supports the candidate's efforts and measures in pursuing speciality training in dermatology.

The learner will be equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to be registered as specialists in Dermatology. The qualification aims to provide a specialist with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in dermatology and related fields to enable the competent practice of dermatology in the private, public, and academic sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Medicine in Clinical Practice, NQF Level 8.

And

• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an independent medical practitioner.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 480 Credits.

• General anatomy and physiology (with relevance to the skin), 40 Credits.
• Skin anatomy and physiology, 40 Credits.
• Principles of pathology, 40 Credits.
• Disorders of the skin and mucous membranes, 60 Credits.
• Dermatology and medicine, 60 Credits.
• Diseases due to microbial agents, infestations, bites, and stings, 60 Credits.
• Psych dermatology, 10 Credits.
• Dermatopathology and laboratory methods, 40 Credits.
• Dermatological pharmacology and therapeutics, 30 Credits.
• Dermatological surgery, 10 Credits.
• Skin Oncology, 20 Credits.
• Dressings and wound care, 10 Credits.
• Ethical Research and mini dissertation, 60 Credits.

1. Solve simple and complex dermatological clinical problems using a wide range of appropriate techniques to formulate and implement appropriate interventions.
2. Critically apply and defend current and new scientific knowledge in the practice of Dermatology using specialised dermatological skills and discourse.
3. Communicate and motivate academically grounded dermatological perspectives and discourses to a range of audiences including patients, the professional community and the public.
4. Design and implement an approach for focused enquiry, processing and managing extant dermatological literature to create a comprehensive research report in the specialized area of dermatology.
5. Maintain, contribute and uphold professional and ethical practices in making autonomous decisions in the practice of Dermatology and in interacting with other members of the multidisciplinary team to optimize patient care and nurture effective collaborations.
6. Independently operate and be accountable for learning, development, and professional needs as it relates to dermatological specialist practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Solve common and uncommon clinical problems using appropriate techniques.
• Implement appropriate interventions to analyse simple and complex problems.
• Assess and diagnose dermatology problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply current and new knowledge using dermatological strategies and practices.
• Interrogate and apply current dermatological scientific knowledge.
• Apply specialised dermatological skills and discourse.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Take medical history at a level appropriate to the speciality and communicate the findings and treatment options effectively with the patient and referring doctor.
• Communicate, advocate, plan and manage for a health-promoting intervention at all levels of societal organisation.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Implement appropriate research and interpret the results.
• Develop comprehensive research report in a specialised area of dermatology.
• Apply numerical data to research and clinical practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Maintain and uphill professional and ethical practices in the practice of dermatology.
• Share contribution to autonomous decision-making within dermatology and with other members of a multidisciplinary team to optimise effective collaborations and patient care.
• Act professionally and ethically.
• Critically reflect on ethical and professional practices within their area of expertise.
• Evaluate effective strategies for managing the ethical dilemmas inherent in-patient care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Independently manage learning, development and professional needs as they relate to dermatological practice.
• Be ethically accountable towards the Public Health profession, clients and the community.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her work, and where appropriate to lead, and oversee.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Learners are assessed in an integrated manner that elevates both formative and summative assessments as key tools in developing and demonstrating applied competence. Equal weight and importance are placed on formative and summative assessments as articulated below:

Formative Assessment

Feedback will be frequently provided during daily supervised clinical activities to guide the attainment of outcomes as a form of WBA.

An internal mini-clinical examination will also be conducted four times a year as well as comprehensive in-house bi-annual examinations to provide feedback on the trainee's progress through the knowledge, skills and outcomes required by the program modules.

The participation in seminars, discussions, and research meetings, including the presentation of the Research Proposal, will provide the formative feedback for the knowledge and application of Research principles.

Summative Assessments

The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) are recognised as the examining body for the theoretical and practical component of this qualification while the assessment of the master's mini dissertation is a responsibility of the university.

The CMSA exams will evaluate the attainment of clinical exit outcomes in an integrated manner with the following contributions to the overall assessment:

• Dermatology Basic Sciences 1 & 2 (Part I): contribute with 25%.
• Principles and Practice of Dermatology 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Part II): contribute to 62.5%.

These exams include written and practical components as well as a portfolio of learning which cuts across the programme's ELOs.

The evaluation of the mini dissertation will assess the Research Outcomes and contribute with 12.5%.