Master of Medicine in Microbiological Pathology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified appropriately trained professionals in Clinical Pathology for South Africa with the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to register as specialists with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Rationale

This qualification improves the capacity to increase the production of properly trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and institution's lecturers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is implemented through the institution's policy. For this qualification, RPL will be predominantly used for returning learners with an incomplete master's qualification and for learners who have an incomplete qualification obtained at another institution. The RPL process involves matching the learners' current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification - which are nationally recognised qualifications registered on the NQF to determine whether a returning learner should be given credit for specific units of competency.

Entry Requirements

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

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 852 Credits.

• Chemical Pathology, 168 Credits.
• Haematological Pathology, 168 Credits.
• Medical Microbiology, 168 Credits.
• General Pathology for Clinical Pathology, 180 Credits.
• Clinical Pathology (Mini-dissertation), 168 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of disease processes related to Clinical Pathology.
2. Perform and interpret the laboratory tests related to the practice of Clinical pathology and offer a specialised clinical opinion.
3. Demonstrate the necessary skills required to initiate and manage a pathology service laboratory.
4. 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.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the field of Clinical Pathology.
6. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for Clinical Pathology.
7. Develop his/her own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on own multi-faceted knowledge, in order 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.
• Be competent and responsible in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for the 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 apply 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.
• Where applicable, refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified to treat certain conditions.
• 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 use personal professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise 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 one 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

This qualification focuses on laboratory work and research. The qualification has a structured learning and assessment programme. The facilitation of the qualification is carried out in a work-integrated learning approach, with adequate time allocated for lectures in the earlier years, seminars and formal discussions, as well as protected study time for the learners. The Division provides a vital clinical service to the hospital and the community and thus learners receive much training whilst performing these services. All assessments are carried out according to the institution's assessment policy and require internal and external moderation.

In order to ensure that all exit level outcomes are met an integrated assessment approach is used throughout the qualification which includes continuous assessment by specialist clinicians and the composition of a logbooks, portfolios, and summative assessment in the form of written papers (number and time allocation depending on the nature of the module), oral examinations and Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE).

Assessments ensure integration of all learning requirements to ensure that the student exits with specialised knowledge over the field of Clinical pathology. The research component forms an integral part of the qualification in that a problem within the research focus of the division is studied in more detail. Learners must produce a mini-dissertation and a publishable ready article for assessment by internal and external examiners as per the institution's assessment policy. All assessment is in alignment with the institution's rules and the assessment policy of learners' learning.