Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine

Purpose

The Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine produces learners with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver safe, high quality diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine services. Holistic training further equips learners with the ability to conduct independent research of a high ethical and scientific standard and to practice the speciality following the principles of social accountability.

Rationale

Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that utilises the nuclear properties of radioactive nuclides to make diagnostic evaluations of the anatomical and physiological conditions of the body and to provide therapy with unsealed radioactive sources.

Access to Nuclear Medicine services is currently limited (especially in the public sector). This four-year professional qualification increases the number of competent, skilled and knowledgeable Nuclear Medicine Physicians who contribute to the advancement of human healthcare through radionuclide based clinical service delivery and scientific research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential or work-based learning of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), can be considered for admission and the recognition of prior accredited and prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, have sufficient potential but need further academic development, are required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

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) as a Medical Practitioner in the category: Independent practice.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 720 Credits

• Applied Anatomy, 20 Credits.
• General Physiology, 20 Credits.
• Medical Physics, 60 Credits.
• Nuclear Medicine, 440 Credits.
• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

• Assist in diagnoses, through verbal communication, physical examination, laboratory investigations (routine and in vitro scintillation studies), and interpret appropriate specialised diagnostic paraphernalia (e.g., SPECT-C, PET-CT, routine gamma camera imaging) investigate, and assist in the formulation and execution of management options for divergent problems in Nuclear Medicine in an holistic manner.
• Advise and implement appropriate measures in disease management relevant to Nuclear Medicine.
• Interpret scientific literature relevant to his/her field and through reflection, to adapt new developments in the field of Nuclear Medicine into his/her clinical practice.
• Conceptualise, plan, implement, and interpret research relevant to the practice of Nuclear Medicine.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria assesses the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Provide unsupervised and independent, comprehensive medical care in nuclear medicine.
• Clearly and professionally communicate the results of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures: Verbally - using appropriate audience context; and In a formal report, addressed to a referring physician.
• Practice the speciality with due regard to all aspects of radiation safety (as legislated) and per the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principle.
• Solve common and uncommon patient problems using a variety of specialised technical skills.
• Resolve contextual and abstract problems at an individual and a community level.
• Present a cogent dissertation on research conducted.
• Participate adequately in teaching seminars.
• Participate in the maintenance of professional competence continuously.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are continuously through evaluation of performance in clinical practice, developed and based on a framework of work-integrated learning, within the context of the everyday clinical practice, under the supervision of an experienced nuclear medicine specialist.

There is an emphasis on Experiential learning and on self-directed learning, which is supported by formal and informal learning opportunities in the form of:

• Formal case and topic presentations,
• Evidence-based clinical discussions on current best practice,
• Journal club meetings,
• Seminars and tutorials,
• Oral and written assignments,
• Participation in intra- and interdepartmental scientific meetings,
• Work-integrated learning.

The learner submits a research report that following in the integrated assessment of research mastery.

Assessment of minimum competence in clinical knowledge and skills takes place with a CMSA logbook, which requires learners to compile a portfolio of integrated learning over the 48-month training period. This portfolio provides a means to identify poor academic and professional progression and allows for timeous remedial action.

After a specified minimum period of registrar training, the learner can exit through a 'single-exit' examination process as mandated by the HPCSA. It entails successful completion in writing and oral components of the FCNP (Fellowship of the College of Nuclear Physicians) Part 2 examination, under the aegis of the CMSA. Successful completion of a dissertation results in the award of the qualification.