Master of Medicine in Paediatrics

This qualification forms part of the accreditation process for medical practitioners, as specialists in Paediatrics and Child Health. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) stipulates training requirements including a minimum period of academic training in paediatrics. It is usual for the examinations to be taken and passed prior to the completion of the required period of supervised training specified by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The aim of this qualification is to meet the needs for formal examination certificates, as well as to set standards, nationally, for such a qualification (equivalent qualifications may be offered by the country's eight (8) medical schools.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).

N/A

1. Understand and apply the basic principles of physiology, microbiology, embryology, pathology and pharmacology to the pathogenesis and management of childhood disease.
2. Understand and prevent the risk factors to the neonate occurring in pregnant women.
3. Understand all aspects of nutrition in the growing child and to handle any nutritional deficiencies excesses that may occur.
4. In-depth knowledge of infectious diseases occurring in childhood particularly viral diseases, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, meningitis, tuberculosis.
5. In-depth knowledge of the causes of prematurity and to be able to handle prematurity related problems.
6. In-depth knowledge of normal growth and development in childhood and to be able to diagnose, investigate and manage children deviating from the norm.
7. In-depth understanding of the principles of preventative paediatrics including immunisation, monitoring of nutrition and prevention of infection.
8. Understand the genetic or hereditary conditions and to be able to diagnose and manage common inherited disorders.
9. Manage acute emergencies and respiratory distress in neonates.
10. Diagnose and treat all diseases encountered in new born infants.
11. Diagnose and manage all problems encountered in the perinatal and postnatal period in new born infants.
12. Diagnose and treat all illnesses occurring in children.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome

1. Good working knowledge of the common conditions encountered in paediatric cardiology, nephrology, haematology, gastro-enterology, endocrinology, metabolic defects, neurology and rheumatology.
2. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
3. Use science and technology appropriately.
4. Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the individual and community, acknowledging cultural and religious differences.
5. Organise and manage one's activities responsibly and effectively.
6. Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.
7. Show sensitivity to the patient and community.

Integrated Assessment

Certification by the Head of the candidate's Training Departments that at least 33 months of training in an Academic Paediatric Unit had taken place prior to the date of writing FCPaed Part Two.

Examination

1. A primary examination (FCPaed Part 1). Two written three hour closed book examination papers covering all aspects of applied basic sciences in paediatrics with a reasonable balance between different sections; to be completed within the first 18 months of a 4 year programme.
2. A final qualifying examination (FCPaed II).

a) Two written three-hour closed book examination papers covering full spectrum of diagnostic and preventative paediatrics and management of paediatric disease with a reasonable balance between the sectors.

b) A 90 minute the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in which all aspects of laboratory and radiological diagnosis are covered.

c) A clinical examination lasting three hours in which the candidate examines three cases covering several aspects of paediatric disease. Overall pass marks of 50% with a minimal requirement of 40%, in both clinical and theoretical sections have to be passed for the candidate to be successful in the final qualifying examination with the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and closed book examination questions compromising the theoretical section.

1. A dissertation Master of Medicine (MMed). Reporting the results of an analytical, clinical or epidemiological study carried out and interpreted by the candidate and assessed by internal and external examiners as satisfactory.