Master of Philosophy in Addiction Psychiatry

Purpose

The programme will help to address the needs of stakeholders such as the provincial government, non-governmental organisations and health services (not only mental health facilities) that need to deal with a burgeoning influx of individuals with substance abuse problems. Graduates from this program will also have the ability to generate new knowledge in this growing field, as they will have been enabled with excellent research skills.

While substance abuse is on the increase, in-depth knowledge in the treatment thereof, and specifically when it aggravates mental health problems, is currently sorely lacking. There is a shift in South African services from institutionalization towards sophisticated programmes lying in the field of medicine, rather than social work. This means that the call for knowledgeable mental health practitioners and focused facilities will be on the increase, and this proposed MPhil programme will aid both practitioners and the community in addressing this need.

Graduates from this programme will be able to deal with complex issues according to international accepted norms and standards for our profession, solve problems creatively and be autonomous in their field of specialization in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding.

Rationale

Over the past ten years the body of knowledge in the science of addiction has grown tremendously. The vulnerability of individuals to becoming addicted to a substance, knowledge on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the different drugs, the neuro-pathology of addiction and the possible treatment modalities both physical and psychological have expanded to such an extent that undergraduate training in medicine and postgraduate teaching in psychiatry are now inadequate to prepare clinicians effectively. Substance addiction poses a major health risk with an alarmingly high morbidity and mortality rate. Addiction is very common and its prevalence in developing countries, including South Africa, is on the increase. Treatment programmes have rightly shifted from being the responsibility of the Department of Social Development to the Health Sciences. The treatment of substance abuse and dependence is specialized and future therapists should have specialized postgraduate training in the field.

It is assumed that learners are

• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Computer literate.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The qualification conforms to the University of Stellenbosch's policy regarding Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning. The policy stipulates that the responsibility for implementation of the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning resides with the Dean of the Faculty. Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning policy and practices at departmental level is subject to an in-depth and thorough process of self-evaluation and external peer evaluation as a compulsory requirement in the process of periodical and comprehensive departmental evaluation. The Faculty of Health Sciences has an Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning policy, to which any application for Recognition of Prior Learning must comply.

Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

All learning is at NQF Level 9.

Access to the qualification is open to learners in possession of a MDCHB, or a Masters in Medicine (Psychiatry) or who have successfully completed the exit examination from the College of Psychiatrists, South Africa (FC Psych) or FCP (South Africa) Neurology which allows the graduate to practice as a psychiatrist.

Learners must also be eligible for Registration as a professional with the appropriate Health Sciences related body (the Health Professions Council of South Africa).

At least two or more year's professional experience will be an advantage.

Graduates will be able to

• Plan, set up, develop, assess and manage a comprehensive, practical addiction service.
• Apply pharmacological principles, medications and drugs related to substance abuse.
• Perform and interpret laboratory techniques and blood tests related to the field of addiction.
• Administer outcomes based psychosocial interventions in the addictions field, including emergency treatment, twelve-step models, network therapy and rehabilitation models.
• Assess patients thoroughly, taking into account the needs of carers and families.
• Integrate the general medicine and addiction related services as to identify high risk service users and initiate treatment for these groups.

Graduates will demonstrate

• A comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical implications of working in the field of substance abuse and addiction.
• Competence in teaching and training workers in the field of substance abuse, taking a multidisciplinary approach.
• In-depth understanding of medication and pharmacology in this field, including mechanisms of drug actions, side-effects and costs.
• A thorough understanding of interventions and treatments within the public health domain as related to substance abuse problems.
• A comprehensive understanding of the prevalence, epidemiology and comorbidity of illness such as Human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted disease's with substance abuse diseases.
• An understanding of cultural and spiritual aspects of drug and alcohol use.
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, including neuroanatomy, relevant to the field of substance abuse and addictions.
• Understanding of common classification systems and their usage, such as DSM-IV TR and ICD 10.
• Competence in the theory, practice and interpretation of scientific research in the addictions field.

Integrated assessment

The University of Stellenbosch has a specific policy to ensure high standards in assessment practices. The programme coordinator is responsible for ensuring that staff involved in the programme adheres to the policy and to ensure explicitness, validity and reliability of assessment practices. Module assignments, as well as the thesis, will be assessed by faculty appointed internal and external examiners. The University also employs a system of internal and external moderation of assessment of all exit level modules.

The Senate decision that all programmes be re-evaluated and improved on a yearly basis is implemented at all levels. The programme coordinator is responsible for initiating this process and reports to the faculty's programme committee. The evaluation process includes an internal and external evaluation as well as a self-evaluation process.

The exit examination is under the auspices of The College of Psychiatrists of South Africa.