Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to produce qualified professionals in Otorhinolaryngology for South Africa with specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Otorhinolaryngology specialist skills and competencies are core to the production of health research and service delivery. By focusing on preventative strategies, early detection of health problems as well as early treatment will benefit both the society and the economy of the country.

Rationale

The Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology developed in response to diverse regional and national human resources, skills, and knowledge needs in healthcare provision. The qualification increases the number of adequately trained health care workers and inspires a new generation of clinical researchers and university teachers. The qualification structure accords to the guidelines of the HPCSA and the College of Medicine of South Africa. On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners register as specialists in Otorhinolaryngology with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the HPCSA.

This qualification provides opportunities for future training and development of registrars in Otorhinolaryngology in the medical schools in South Africa. The applied competence and skills derived from their training in Otorhinolaryngology is sufficient to allow them to be accredited specialists with registration recognition with the HPCSA. 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 Otorhinolaryngology.

The qualification provides qualified, appropriately trained professionals and academics who can render both formal academic and in-service training in Otorhinolaryngology as well as service delivery at health care facilities and tertiary educational institutions. There is also a provision of qualified, appropriately trained professionals and academics who can perform both contractual and academic research in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.

There is a need for Otorhinolaryngology specialists for the implementation of adequate health services for the majority of the citizens that rely on the public sector for their health care needs. Otorhinolaryngology practice has a goal of improving the health outcomes in our population. These goals are preventing disease, promoting healthy behaviour, early disease detection and early disease detection.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

For this qualification, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is predominantly used for returning learners with an incomplete Master's qualification and for learners who have an incomplete Master's qualification from another institution. The RPL process involves matching the learner's current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification, to determine whether a returning learner gets credit for specific units of competency. RPL may also be used to grant access to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

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

And

• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner, independent practice.

And

• Appointment to a registrar post recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

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

• Applied Anatomy of Head and Neck, 20 Credits.
• Pathology (Ancillary), 160 Credits.
• General Principles of Surgery (Ancillary), 160 Credits.
• General Physiology, 20 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation (Otorhinolaryngology), 180 Credits.
• Otorhinolaryngology (Major), 180 Credits.

1. Investigate and solve complex Otorhinolaryngology problems.
2. Conduct independent, advanced, appropriate, ethically and responsible research in any field of Otorhinolaryngology.
3. Demonstrate an attitude of moral concern towards the public health of Southern Africa and practice his/her profession at the highest ethical level.
4. Participate both in the formal academic teaching and the informal in-service training of all levels of health care professionals.
5. Communicate successfully at all levels, using verbal, written or electronic means of communication.
6. Engage in life-long skills development and self-learning.
7. Function effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, in solving Otorhinolaryngology problems and transcending the boundaries of the health sciences to include disciplines such as health economics, social work and business management.
8. Manage complex health care systems at the local, provincial or national levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Successfully investigate and manage a specific disease problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Complete an academic dissertation relevant to Otorhinolaryngology.
• Successfully publish a research topic in an approved medical journal.
• Present an approved research topic at a local or national congress.
• Present an approved research poster at a local or national congress.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify ethical issues in any public health problem and enter into discourse as to the preferred course of action.
• Defend the ethical aspects of his/her research protocol before the Research and Ethics Committee of the university.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Actively participated in formal undergraduate teaching.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Chair a seminar or meeting, write a dissertation, formal report or memorandum, deliver a lecture, participate at a tutorial and successfully conclude an oral examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate the ability to study independently and diligently to meet the academic requirements of the course.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Participate in multidisciplinary projects during the whole formal training period and be able to write joint reports on such projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Master the theoretical and practical aspects of the public health management and administration as required by the formal programme, including passing the formal examination relating to public health administration and health system management.

Integrated Assessment

Although items as listed below, do not contribute to the final mark of the learner, the knowledge and skills acquired while performing these activities is essential for passing the formal assessment.

Integrated assessment happens through the following routes

- Continuous assessment

Each learner prepares and carries a personal portfolio in which her/his academic and documents professional progress. The whole team of consultants assesses the portfolio at regular intervals.

- Projects

Projects are allocated on an ongoing basis for each candidate and maybe small or large. Report back may be verbal (informal) or in the form of a formally written memorandum.

- Practical assignments

Registrars are required to rotate (compulsory) through other clinical disciplines (General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit) for six months in each discipline.

- Oral presentation

These include a presentation at journal clubs and presentations on selected topics during departmental academic days.

- Written, practical and oral examination

Primary examinations (Formative assessment): The completion of all primary examination modules must be within 18 months of registration. The primary examination modules are as follows:

> APAM701 (MHAA190) Applied anatomy of the head and neck.

> APPM701 (MGPA190) General physiology.

- Intermediate examination are as follows

> GPSM701 (MSUA190): General principles of surgery (Ancillary).

> PTLG702 (MOGA190): Pathology (Ancillary).

- Final Examination: Summative assessment)

The Final Examinations are as follows

> OTOR761 (MOGB190): Otorhinolaryngology (Major)

> The written part of the examination consists of 3 -written papers of 3 hours each.

> The three papers cover the following areas

> Otology (Paper 1), Rhinology (Paper 2), Head and neck Pathology and Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (Paper 3).

> Oral/Practical examination in the form of a viva voce. Five clinical stations are with live patients. The learner spends 30 minutes in each station. The candidate must pass the written examination with a combined sub-minimum of 50% to progress to Oral/Practical examination.

- Dissertation

Achievement in the dissertation happens separately and independently.

- Publications in Refereed Scientific Journals

The learners are encouraged to submit at least one research article for publications in a refereed scientific journal during their studies.