Master of Medicine in Dermatology

This qualification forms part of the credential process, for medical practitioners, to qualify as specialists in dermatology. It aims to meet the needs for formal assessment and certification as a specialist dermatologist, as well as to set standards, nationally, for such a qualification. It 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 sector.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) stipulates training requirements, including a minimum period of experiential learning. It is usual for the assessment to be taken and passed prior to the completion of the required period of supervised learning specified by the HPCSA.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8, 480 Credits.

1. Demonstrate ability to assess, diagnose and manage dermatological problems.
2. Demonstrate ability to assess, diagnose and manage general medical problems.
3. Competent in the basic surgical procedures necessary for the practice of dermatology.
4. Competence in dermatopathology and clinic-pathological correlation.
5. Be able to conduct and present independent research.

• Ability to identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
• Ability to use science and technology appropriately.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the individual and community, acknowledging cultural and religious differences.
• Ability to organise and manage one's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Ability to collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.
• Demonstrate ability to assess and diagnose dermatology problems.
• Demonstrate ability to manage dermatology problems.
• Demonstrate knowledge regarding physiology and pathogenesis of adult and paediatric diseases.
• Demonstrate knowledge of investigations relevant to adult and paediatric diseases.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the management of adult and paediatric diseases.
• Demonstrate ability to critically assess literature on the mechanisms of disease and the cost effectiveness of medication and investigation.
• Demonstrate ability to successfully liaise between clinicians, allied health professionals technical and laboratory staff to optimise patient care.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead, communicate, advocate, plan and manage for a health promoting intervention at all levels of societal organisation.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform simple skin and mucosal biopsies relevant to office dermatology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic skin anatomy relevant to this surgery.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise and interpret skin pathology with clinico-pathological correlation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of normal human skin anatomy and histology.
• Ability to collect and analyse relevant data in order to draw conclusions for publication and to inform policy decision making.
• Ability to formulate and implement appropriate research and to interpret the results.

Integrated Assessment

1. Certification by the head of the learners training qualification that they have completed at least 3 years in a Health and Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) approved dermatology registrar post prior to writing the final assessments.
2. Three written exams in basic sciences - Part 1(anatomy and histochemistry of the skin; physiology and biochemistry of the skin; general principles of pathology).
3. An oral assessment in basic sciences - Part 1(anatomy and histochemistry of the skin; physiology and biochemistry of the skin; general principles of pathology).
4. Two written assessments on the principles and practice of general medicine and dermatology - Part II (including diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathology, investigation, differential diagnosis, and treatment of diseases).
5. An objective oral assessment in the principles and practice of dermatology and general medicine - Part II (including diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathology, investigation, differential diagnosis and treatment of diseases).
6. An objective assessment of dermatopathology - Part II (evaluation of histopathology slides of skin diseases).
7. Submission of a dissertation - Part III (reporting the results of research conducted by the learners.