Master of Medicine in Psychiatry

Purpose

To supply South Africa with a sufficient number of well-trained, competent psychiatrists to attend to the mental health and psychiatric needs of the community. Some of these psychiatrists will contribute to the academic needs such as training health professionals and conducting research.

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

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medical and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
• Two years of supervised medical practice which may include the internship year, and the year of compulsory community service.
• A further 1-year of clinical medical practice which may or may not have been supervised, and which may be in any medical discipline including private general practice.
• Current registration with the HPCSA as a medical practitioner.

1. Carry out a psychiatric assessment of an individual, formulate a specialist working diagnosis, present the findings in a clear, concise way and manage the case.
2. Participate in multidisciplinary settings.
3. Participate in lifelong learning and teaching.
4. Participate in and use research.
5. Maintain professional and ethical attitudes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Be able to describe normal biological, psychological and social development form infancy to old age in the context of social, cultural and religious factors.
• Be able to describe the neuro-anatomy, neuro-physiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology and other social sciences pertinent to the aetiology, diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders.
• Be able to describe the epidemiology, aetiology, psychopathology and course of psychiatric disorders.
• Be able to formulate short, medium, long term and rehabilitative goals.
• Be able to carry out individual therapies; psychological, social and biological.
• Be able to monitor progress and unwanted effects of treatment.
• Be able to assess risk: of suicide, abuse, self-neglect or dangerousness.
• Be able to manage crises including the aggressive, violent or suicidal patient.
• Be able to participate in and contribute to health promotion and illness prevention.
• Be able to apply all legislation relevant to mental illness and psychiatric care.
• Be able to keep adequate records.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Be able to share knowledge, experience, skills and understanding and encourage others to acquire new skills.
• Be able to be aware of and facilitate the processes and interactions that occur in groups and organisational settings.
• Be able to co-ordinate care of patients with psychiatric illness by working with other mental health professionals, medical staff, statutory and other non-governmental organisations and those involved informally with their care.
• Be able to participate in the management of psychiatric services and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Be able to collaborate with and support primary health care practitioners with regard to mental health, psychiatric illness and related issues.
• Be able to write legal documents for court or other proceedings and other medico-legal, clinical and management documents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Be able to access and assess both new and familiar information critically, process it into a useful form and share it with health care colleagues at all levels in ongoing teaching activities. This includes the evaluation of published research and other mental health data.
• Be able to communicate effectively in lectures and seminars and to write clearly and meaningfully.
• Be able to initiate planning and promotion of programs for mental health education within a community context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Be able to identify areas in the field that require further research in order to extend and strengthen the knowledge base.
• Be able to plan and carry out research projects.
• Be able to critically evaluate current research findings in order to practice 'Evidence based psychiatry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Be able to be committed to the patient as a person and a partner in the healing process.
• Be able to be open to and available for the expression of the patient's experience and needs.
• Be able to understand the overt and latent meaning of the patient's communication.
• Be able to demonstrate genuine care, concern and empathy for the patient.
• Be able to support and facilitate the patient's attempts to deal with difficult circumstances and altered behaviour.
• Be able to ensure that the patient understands the nature of the illness, the requirements for its management and treatment and is aware of his or her rights.
• Be able to observe confidentiality and be aware of the ethical and legal responsibilities of psychiatry.
• Be able to observe confidentiality and be aware of the ethical and legal responsibilities of psychiatry.
• Be able to be committed to the family as partners in the healing process.
• Be able to support, in a non-judgmental manner, their attempts to deal with the situation when appropriate, ensure that the family understands the nature of the illness and requirements for its management and treatment.
• Be able to encourage and enable the family to improve their own mental health.
• Be able to maintain an adequate level of professional competence.
• Be able to be aware of personal and professional limitations.
• Be able to request assistance timeously when appropriate.
• Be able to reflect on one's own reactions to patients and how this affects interaction.
• Be able to tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Be able to consistently apply the highest professional and ethical standards, regardless of the situation or pressures that may apply.
• Be able to be aware of scope and limitations of psychiatry.
• Be able to be committed to the education of others.
• Be able to interact with colleagues in a professional and ethical manner.
• Be able to be sensitive and respond to the emotional needs of one's colleagues.
• Be able to be willing to share specialised knowledge and understanding of mental illness.
• Be able to assist colleagues in other disciplines and levels of care.
• Be able to be sensitive to the differing needs of the members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Be able to pursue independent learning in an ongoing fashion.
• Be able to explore the field with an open and enquiring mind.
• Be able to leave established positions if shown to be untenable.
• Be able to think and sole problems for oneself rather than merely seeking answers.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment to ensure the purpose of the degree is achieved.

Certification by the head of the candidate's training programme that they have completed at least 3 years of a full-time post internship training as a psychiatric registrar or clinical assistant in a teaching hospital department of psychiatry or 2 years in a teaching hospital department of psychiatry plus 1-year as a registrar in a non-teaching hospital affiliated to the medical school.

Written examinations

Part 1: Four 3-hour closed book examination papers covering basic neurosciences, psychology and psychology-related subjects.

Part 2: Two 3-hour closed book examination papers in psychiatry. One 3-hour closed book examination in neurology.

Oral examination in psychiatry and neurology.

Clinical examinations in psychiatry and in neurology.

Submission of a dissertation based on a research project carried out by the Candidate in the field of psychiatry.