Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine

Purpose

This qualification focuses specifically in Occupational Medicine and provides learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to register as specialists in Occupational Medicine with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the HPCSA. This qualification provides opportunities for the training and development of registrars in Occupational Medicine. The qualification aims to provide learners with the foundation for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and for contributing to society at large through advanced patient care, innovation, scholarship and leadership in the field of Occupational Medicine.

Rationale

The qualification responds to the critical shortage of medical specialists in the country in rural areas. A higher level of responsiveness to diverse regional and national human resources, skills and knowledge needs in healthcare provision, in particular for rural areas and the public sector which is in line with the social accountability focus of the Health Sciences. The qualification aims to produce holders of a Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine, which will be much needed for the implementation of the NHI to ensure equitable health care for all. The qualification contributes to enhancing the employability of healthcare professionals and alleviating shortages of expertise in the field of Occupational Medicine Medical doctors with MBChB and registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a medical practitioner Independent Practice.

The qualification targets qualified, and Health Professionals Council (HPC) registered medical practitioners to address the need of employees, employers and communities with the multidisciplinary occupation health team. The qualification is fully aligned with the education to provide and encompass all facets of health science-related occupational health as a sub-component of holistic health. The qualification will prepare the learners for the world of a specific domain. The qualification would be a viable qualification for an appointment as an occupational medical specialist practitioner as define in the South African Occupational health-related legislation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution does not recognise prior learning experience.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

And

• Registration with HPCSA as a medical practitioner.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 648 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 648 Credits

• Administrative theory and the health-related social sciences, 108 Credit.
• Communicable and non-communicable health and related conditions, 108 Credit.
• Occupational medicine (Dissertation), 108 Credit.
• Epidemiologic theory, biostatistics and demography, 108 Credit.
• Occupational Hygiene, 108 Credit.
• Occupational Medicine, 108 Credit.

• Establish and maintain the relationships and responsibilities of the occupational physician with management, trades unions, employees, and other branches of the profession/other appropriate agencies.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of applicable legislation covering health and safety at work.
• Plan and manage health services in the work environment settings and includes the coordination of related support services, government agencies and private resources.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in Occupational and Industrial Hygiene to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices competently.
• Anticipate, recognise, evaluate, and control exposures of workers and others to physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors, agents, and stressors that can potentially cause related diseases and dysfunctions.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Provide a comprehensive, in-depth overview and critically evaluate the organisation of occupational health services in the SA;
• Critically discuss and interpret the current health and safety at work legislation;
• Provide a comprehensive, in-depth overview of common and uncommon occupational hazards and diseases, their assessment and management;
• Demonstrate a coherent, integrated body of embedded knowledge and skills with regards to the associated disciplines such as occupational hygiene, toxicology, epidemiology and ergonomics;
• Identify agents, factors, and stressors generated by and associated with defined sources, unit operations, and processes;
• Describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of the generation of agents, factors, and stressors;
• Understand physiological and toxicological interactions of physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents, factors, and stressors with the human body;
• Assess qualitative and quantitative aspects of exposure assessment, dose-response, and risk characterisation based on applicable pathways and modes of entry;
• Calculate, interpret, and apply statistical and epidemiological data;
• Recommend and evaluate engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls and other interventions to reduce or eliminate hazards;
• Demonstrate the importance of appropriate ethical performance and practice;
• Demonstrate an understanding of applicable business and managerial practices;
• Interpret and apply applicable occupational and environmental regulations;
• Participate in the development and implementation of applicable industrial hygiene-related programmes;
• Generate, review and interpret data, whether from original research or other published sources;
• Prepare scientific and technical summaries and reports;
• Understand fundamental aspects of safety and environmental health;
• Understand the necessity of teamwork among management, industrial hygienists, safety specialists, environmental specialists, engineers, and clinicians (i.e., occupational health physicians and nurses); and
• Attain recognised professional certification.

Integrated Assessment

The final examination will be a written part of 2 separate 3 hour papers for Occupational Hygiene and Occupational Medicine undertaken after 3 (three) years of enrolment as a registrar. A dissertation passed separately and independently and a subminimum of 50% is required. Supervision and continuous assessment is done over 3 years when work is performed in occupational health care services under the auspices of a registered occupational medicine specialist.