Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to educate and train Occupational Medicine graduates who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level such that they are prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment in Occupational Medicine. They have to fulfil all of the requirements for professional registration or recognition, and includes appropriate forms of work-integrated learning; require a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence; demonstrate of the ability to relate knowledge to the resolution of complex problems in appropriate areas of Occupational Medicine practice; an independent study component that comprises at least a quarter of the credits at NQF level 9, consisting of a single piece research demonstrating innovation or professional expertise. Graduates must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively; design and critically appraise analytical writing; make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal; communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems; act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a professional orientation; continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a particular profession. learners in Occupational Medicine will function as specialists in the public and private sectors.

Rationale

Occupational Medicine which was a sub-speciality of Public Health Medicine became an independent speciality in the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in 2006. Hence there is a need for this speciality to be offered by institutions training medical specialists in Occupational Medicine. In addition, the Department of Health has made registrar training posts available and the HPCSA has provided training numbers for these posts. Health and Safety legislation in South Africa requires medical doctors working in occupational medicine to be trained at a postgraduate level. The aim of this qualification is to meet the needs for formal examination certification as well as to meet the standards, nationally for such qualifications. This qualification forms part of the credentialing process for medical doctors as Occupational Medicine Specialists. The Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine incorporates an important part of the formal training requirements for the speciality of Occupational Medicine.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable 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 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.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from 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, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Surgery. NQF Level 8.

And

• Registration with Health Professional Council as an independent practitioner.

and

• A minimum of one-year post-community service experience.

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

• Health Measurement (Descriptive), 16 Credits.
• Health Measurement (Analytical). 16 Credits.
• Intermediate Epidemiology, 16 Credits.
• Research Methods and Bioethics, 16 Credits.
• Research Dissertation, 164 Credits.
• Occupational Medicine Clinical and Professional Practice I, 222 Credits.
• Occupational Medicine Clinical and Professional Practice II, 270 Credits.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

The graduate will be a sound clinician and will display this through

• Appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with occupational injuries and diseases.
• An in-depth understanding of occupational diseases causation and management
• Correct interpretation of necessary investigations such as radiological investigations, lung function tests and toxicology reports used in the diagnosis and management of occupational injuries and diseases.
• A competency in fitness, impairment and disability assessment and workplace accommodation and disability management of employees with occupational injuries and diseases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Students will conduct their own substantive research project following a critical review of the current literature. They will select, evaluate and refine hypotheses, develop hypotheses, set operational aims and objectives, compile methods for data collection and analysis and critically evaluate their results and limitations and discuss their implications for knowledge and implementation of preventive measures in the workplace. The standard will be a publishable article in a quality scientific journal. Communication of the results of the research will be assessed by means of a written report.
• Graduates will have an understanding of research methodology, epidemiology and biostatistics and demonstrate this through the completion of their research dissertation.
• Graduates will be familiar with occupational medical ethics and demonstrates this through the ethical conduct of their speciality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Graduates will be able to establish, monitor and evaluate medical surveillance programmes in the workplace.
• Graduates will understand occupational hygiene principles and be able to conduct health risk assessments and report on these assessments.
• Graduates will be able to design and set up and audit occupational health services in the private and public sectors.
• Graduates will be able to provide an interpretation of the relevant South African occupational, compensation and labour laws with respect to employees and the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Graduates will have a sound understanding of health promotion and management of common community and lifestyle diseases in the workplace.
• Graduates will understand Industrial Relations and demonstrate the use of the basic principles of industrial relations within the relevant institutional and workplace framework.
• Graduates will know about disaster management and contribute to a disaster management plan tailored to the workplace, including provision for mass exposure and casualty scenarios.
• Graduates will understand healthcare delivery systems and benefits management, in South Africa
• Graduates will understand health information systems and be able to design clinics, workplaces, companies or regional record/health information systems for management, covering injuries and illnesses.
• Graduates will display an understanding of environmental management and contribute to the environmental component of a safety, health and environment policy for workplaces (or regions or districts).