Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery

Purpose

Until 2007 Paediatric Surgery was a subspeciality of General Surgery. This changed with the establishment of Paediatric Surgery as a full speciality in its own right as announced in the Government Gazette of 17 August 2007.

This has necessitated the adjustment of the training schedule to accommodate the new regulations and training schedules, hence the submission of the MMed in Paediatric Surgery.

Rationale

The University of Stellenbosch has been an accredited training centre for Paediatric Surgery since 1985 and has 2 training numbers (two posts for training) from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Until 2007 Paediatric Surgery was a subspeciality of General Surgery. This changed with the establishment of Paediatric Surgery as a full speciality in its own right as announced in the Government Gazette of 17 August 2007.

This has necessitated the adjustment of the training schedule to accommodate the new regulations and training schedules. The Division of Paediatric Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch is therefore applying for the following:

• That the existing subspecialist training be upgraded to specialist training by means of an MMed degree programme.
• At new specialist (and not subspecialist) training numbers be granted by the HPCSA in keeping with their new regulations of 2 training numbers for every qualified specialist on staff.

There is a chronic shortage of paediatric surgeons in South Africa, with only 36 registered with the Health Professions Council of SA in 2006.

South Africa has a large paediatric population (� one third of the population under 13 years). Up to 80% of children will receive a surgical procedure of some sort by the age of 15 years. In a fairly recent survey 60% of South African General Surgeons recognized that they were not adequately trained to operate on children and would benefit from further training.

Accepted international norms are 1 paediatric surgeon per 500 000 of the population (Australasian, European and United Kingdom requirements).

See Access to the Qualification below.

Recognition of Prior Learning

It is the responsibility of the programme committee of the Division of Paediatric Surgery to oversee and consider results of the assessment of prior learning. Every application will be scrutinized by this committee in collaboration with the co-ordinator of the programme. Every application should comply with the regulations of the HPCSA and the University of Stellenbosch (SU ARPL policy).

Access to the Qualification

The standard admission criteria for an MMed degree at the University of Stellenbosch apply

• Professional Medical degree (NQF Level 8).
• Registration with the HPCSA for independent medical practice.
• Candidates should have at least 2 years of medical (preferably surgical) experience.
• Preference will be given to candidates with the Primary/Intermediate Examination in General Surgery (College of/Medicine of South Africa or a similar training programme (eg MMed) in South Africa).

Under certain circumstances, a negotiated recognition of "outside time" and Qualifications(e.g Full General Surgical Qualifications ( MMed (Surgery) or Fellowship in General Surgery with the College of Medicine of South Africa) up to a concessional 50% reduction in training time.

Core; NQF Level 8; 480 Credits.

Total; 480 Credits.

Exit-level outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria

Generic outcomes

• Identification of complex problems and solving of problems through critical and innovative thinking, responsible and independent decision-making, and application of basic and advanced scientific methods.
• Efficient and responsible application of basic and advanced scientific methods and technology to the field of medical genetics.
• Efficient management of the collection, organization, analysis, evaluation, integration and application of information from various sources, including advanced databases.
• Competent and efficient personal organisation and self-management to ensure independence at an advanced level.
• Personal self-development with emphasis on insight, responsibility, accountability, continued learning, self-criticism, acceptance of criticism from others, and the ability to work independently at a high level.
• The ability to work as part of a team and to add value to the larger group through constructive collaboration, cooperation and self-initiated new actions.
• Effective communication through competent presentation of information and data by means of oral, audiovisual and written skills and by demonstrating appropriate graphical, statistical, linguistic and computer proficiency at a high level.
• Development and demonstration of a holistic approach to problem solving within the context of respect and sensitivity for other people, the community, and the environment.
• Understanding the importance and the potential applications of health sciences in general and medical genetics in particular to the community through the communication of knowledge and results and the transfer of relevant technology.
• Familiarity with the opportunities, challenges, requirements and ethical principles that apply to research and good medical genetic practice in the health science professions at an advanced level.

Specific outcomes

The MMed (Ped Chir) programme embraces a period of 4 years designed to equip the trainee (Registrar) for specialist practice in the field of Paediatric Surgery. On successful completion of this programme the student will be able to register as a specialist Paediatric Surgeon with the Health Education Professions Council (HPCSA).

At the end of the programme the student will have

• A broad knowledge of current state-of-the-art developments in medicine in general.
• Be equipped with the theoretical knowledge, practical ability and interpersonal skills for fulltime or independent specialist Paediatric surgical practice.
• Be able to plan, conduct, interpret and publish independent research in the field of Paediatric Surgery.
• Have developed the attitudes and abilities necessary to become an independent learner and to accept the responsibility for lifelong continuing professional development.
• Acquired an ethical, mature and responsible approach on the part of the trainee, as an independent medical practitioner, is assumed.

Integrated Assessment

The University of Stellenbosch has a specific policy to ensure high standards in assessment practices. The programme co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring that staff involved in the programme adhere to this policy and to ensure explicitness, validity and reliability of assessment practices. Examination, as well as the thesis, will be assessed by faculty appointed internal and external examiners. Internal and external moderation is also required:

• The moderator and external examiners' reports will be used to effect change by feedback to the programme committee and Department and implementation of recommendations.
• The Heads of Division and Department will then take responsibility for feedback to lecturers and to implement and monitor recommended changes to the programme.
• The Assessment policy of the University and its Strategy for Teaching and Learning will be followed.