Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology qualification is to train specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists with the capacity to offer both primary and tertiary, state-of-the art and ethically sound obstetric and reproductive care, and to teach both undergraduate and postgraduate learners, as well as supervise interns and medical officers.

The qualifying learner will have knowledge of the scientific principles of obstetrics and gynaecology (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, ethics) as well as mastery of clinical obstetrics and gynaecology along with the surgical aspects of these disciplines. The learner will also acquire advanced skills in imaging and non-invasive surgery. The learner will also be provided with research skills and will have to submit a mini dissertation in compliance with the university's postgraduate policies before being registered as a specialist.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Discuss, evaluate, and diagnose patients with disorders in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with high ethical standards.
• Conduct the clinical and surgical management of Obstetric and Gynaecological conditions.
• Design and conduct interventions to facilitate the health and quality of life of women.
• Teach MBChB learners and mentor junior registrars.
• Extract scientific information from journals and databases and appraise scientific articles.
• Conduct a scientific topic review and propose a study design for a research question in the discipline, implement the research project and write a mini dissertation.

Rationale

There is a great need for specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to provide care for pregnant women and to provide reproductive health to both adults and children.

The training is offered only after the Health Professional Council of South Africa approves and accredits the training programme.

The typical learner is a medical doctor who has completed internship training and community service and is registered by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa as a medical officer (independent practice). Once they complete the training, they will be registered as medical specialists and will practice both in the public and private sectors.

The training is a minimum of 4 years and involves a gradual introduction to various aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology.

The qualification enables the learner to practice as a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology. Society benefits from the expertise of the specialist. The economy benefits from healthier women.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards 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 may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

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 should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for 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

• Postgraduate Diploma in Complementary Medicine in Unani-Tibb Medicine, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9,480 Credits

• Reproductive anatomy, 20 Credits.
• Reproductive endocrinology and physiology, 20 Credits.
• Anatomical pathology, microbiology, 20 Credits.
• Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 20 Credits.
• Basic research methodology and biostatistics, 20 Credits.
• Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Gynaecology, 150 Credits.
• Obstetrics, 150 Credit.
• Research and mini dissertation, 60 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 9, 60 Credits

• Clinical epidemiology, 20 Credits.
• Primary health care, 20 Credits.
• Practice management, 20 Credits.

1. Discuss, evaluate, and diagnose patients with disorders in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with high ethical standards.
2. Conduct the clinical and surgical management of Obstetric and Gynaecological conditions.
3. Design and conduct interventions to facilitate the health and quality of life of women.
4. Apply methods and procedures to enable engagement with and critique of current research in learners and mentor junior registrars.
5. Access, process and manage information from journals and databases and appraise scientific articles.
6. Conduct a scientific topic review and propose a study design for a research question in the discipline, implement the research project and write a mini dissertation.
7. Demonstrate independence self-direction and creativity in solving problems.
8. Communicate and plan informative presentations and professionally convey them to colleagues, staff, and the scientific community.
9. Collect, analyse, organize, and critically evaluate information and able to generate answers to clinical and administrative challenges.
10. Practice cultural sensitivity across a range of social contexts.
11. Reflect and learn ethical and professional ethics from his or her experiences.

Formative assessment of learners is carried out continuously. Knowledge, attitudes, skills and values are evaluated by the tutors during the work-integrated learning.

Summative Assessment

• Primarily, the written examination (2 papers) for all learners in all South African training institutions.
• Part II has written and clinical examinations (OSCE, OSPE) that are common for all learners in all South Africa.

as per Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA)-regulations.

• Mini dissertation examined by one internal examiner, and one external examiner, as per the Institution's postgraduate and research rules and regulations.