Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to produce specialist emergency physicians with the appropriate clinical knowledge, procedural skills and management skills to function at specialist level.

It also aims to provide candidates with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competence such that they will meet the requirements for specialisation in Emergency Medicine of the College of Emergency Medicine of South Africa. This includes a minimum period of supervised experiential learning and success in the College of Emergency Medicine examinations for the FCEM (Fellowship of College of Emergency Medicine).

Finally, it aims to produce graduates who are competent in Emergency Care Research.

Rationale

This qualification trains medical doctors to become specialists in Emergency Medicine. It forms part of the credentialing process for registration as specialists in emergency medicine registered as such by the Health Professions Council of South Africa and may proceed to Doctoral studies.

The aim of the qualification is to prepare future Emergency Physicians for the trends and changing milieu of the 21st century, to provide training opportunities for future Emergency Physicians with the diversity of talents and characteristics to acquire the necessary knowledge, technical skills, good judgement, maturity, attitude and values for the quality practice of Emergency Medicine within the South African context.

Qualifying learners will be able to practice as Specialists in Emergency Medicine in Africa and across the world.

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

And

• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, (HPCSA).
• Holder of a training post in one of the teaching hospitals attached to the academic institutions.

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 Medical Sciences, 40 credits.
• Resuscitation, 40 credits.
• Acute and Undifferentiated Presentations, 40 credits.
• Emergency Care I, 40 credits.
• Emergency Care II, 50 credits Paediatric Emergencies, 40 credits.
• Research Report I, 75 credits.
• Toxicology, 40 credits.
• Pre-Hospital Care and Disaster Medicine, 40 credits.
• Research Report II, 75 credits.

1. Demonstrate competence in emergency medical procedure 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

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a peri-operative management plan.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to obtain a history, to explain the peri-operative procedures.
• Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in emergency medicine.
• Use of instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of emergency medicine.

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 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

The research report will serve as the medium for integrated assessment.

Formative assessment

• Formative assessment will be undertaken continuously, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks, as well as reports on the research plan. Such methods will assess the students' progress towards the academic and professional competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate analytical, theoretical, and reflective competence. To pass the course and qualify, the learner must demonstrate the advanced knowledge acquired. Formative assessments will use the modes of self-assessment, peer assessment, and internal assessment by members of the academic staff of the Faculty.

Summative assessment

• Summative assessment will be conducted by means of written examinations, examination of assignments, and assessment of the research proposal and report. These assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical, and reflective competence. Final exams for MMed will be the Fellowship examination of the College of Emergency Medicine of South Africa and the assessment of the research report. There will be continuous assessment by means of assignments and scrutiny of logbooks.

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.