Master of Medicine in Surgery

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified appropriately trained professionals in Surgery for South Africa with the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to register as specialists with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Rationale

This qualification improves the capacity to increase the production of properly trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and institution's lecturers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is implemented through the University policy. For this Masters qualification RPL will be predominantly used for returning students with an incomplete Master's qualification and for students who have an incomplete Master's Degree obtained at another university. The RPL process involves matching the candidates' current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification-which are nationally recognised qualifications registered on the NQF-to determine whether a returning candidate should be given credit for specific units of competency.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Master's Degree studies are

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

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 900 credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 9

• Applied Anatomy for Surgical Disciplines 20 Credits.
• General Principles of Surgery 160 Credits.
• General Surgical Pathology 160 Credits.
• General Physiology 20 Credits.
• Mini-Dissertation 228 Credits.
• General Surgery 312 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of disease processes related to Surgery.
2. Perform and interpret Imaging in all modalities related to the practice of Surgery and to offer a specialised clinical opinion.
3. Demonstrate the necessary skills required to initiate and manage a Surgery service.
4. Use a wide range of specialised skills in Surgery to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems; and have an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the field of Surgery.
5. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for Surgery and demonstrate an ability to develop his/her own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient and other health care workers as a team.
• Show sustained competence in skills necessary for the interpretation of medical investigations.
• Demonstrate competent and responsibility in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for this practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• Practice vidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice relevant to Surgery.
• Guide junior learners who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation of Surgery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.
• Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain condition where possible.
• Demonstrate 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.
• Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• Strive 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 Surgery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level relevant to Surgery, the application of knowledge from the basic to the advanced level to other professionals.
• Communicate knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality: Surgery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Use 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 social accountable citizen.
• Acknowledge 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.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical practice. Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification. Internal and external evaluation Continuous, formative assessments Formal end evaluations.