Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners with specialist training in the branch of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, who may be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

The purpose of the qualification is also to produce learners with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the learner is in an educational setting.

Rationale

Hence, learners have competence in the practice of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning

There are no other options for entry into the qualification as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

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).
• Holder of a training post in one of the teaching hospitals attached to the academic institutions.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 480 Credits:[GU6.1]

• Application of Basic Medical Sciences in Surgery in General, 60 credits
• The General Principles of Surgery in all Surgical Disciplines, 60 credits
• Applications of Basic Medical Sciences in Otorhinolaryngology, 100 credits
• Research Report I, 70 credits
• Principles and Practice of Otorhinolaryngology, 115 credits
• Research Report II, 75 credits

1. Clinical Knowledge and Competence;

The qualifying learner is competent in clinical and surgical skills at the specialist level.

1. Research Ability;

The qualifying learner shows expertise in research and the ability to evaluate, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.

1. Attitudes and Values;

The qualifying learner shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist surgical practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.

1. Teaching Role;

The qualifying learner has knowledge of the principles and practice of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.

1. Self Development;

The qualifying learner will have acquired and will demonstrate self direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

1. Clinical knowledge and competence

The qualifying learner demonstrates specialist skills of a standard which enables him or her to sit the external examination in the speciality administered by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, or the internal University examination.

The learner

• Uses problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient
• Is able to communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient and other health care workers as a team
• Shows sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
• Is competent and responsible in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for this practice

1. Research ability

The qualifying learner

• Shows research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret > Conducts all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession
• Practices Evidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice
• Is able to guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation

1. Attitudes and values

The qualifying learner

• Shows respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture
• Where applicable, refers patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions
• Demonstrates an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations
• Considers both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health
• Strives to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

1. Teaching role

The qualifying learner

• Can teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals
• Communicates this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality.

1. Self development

The qualifying learner

• Uses appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible citizen
• Acknowledges responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements
• Identifies personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used in the integrated assessment of research mastery.