Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health

Purpose

This qualification is designed to provide mental healthcare workers with special expertise in Addictions Mental Health. The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates who are capable of delivering comprehensive, cost-effective, evidence-based addictions care using a bio-psychosocial framework in the primary, secondary and tertiary care contexts. Additional purposes include an ability to answer questions by means of research and to pass on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the discipline of addictions mental health to future generations of doctors.

Rationale

Over the past ten years, most countries in Europe and North America have been expanding their addictions mental health/addictionology facilities and programmes, as there has been increasing recognition that substance dependent patients have special needs and that they and their families require long-term management for successful outcomes. There is general recognition amongst professionals in the field that there is a growing need for specialised knowledge in addictions mental health and the view is shared that there is an increasing demand for specialist training in this field. The ultimate goal is to use the Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health qualification to support a proposed submission to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for recognition of addictions mental health as a sub-speciality for psychiatrists and psychologists. In South Africa, unlike many other countries, addiction psychiatry and psychology are not yet recognised and registered as sub-specialities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

N/A

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• A Master of Medicine in Psychiatry of the University or another university recognised for this purpose.

Or

• A qualification recognised by the Senate as comparable (such as the fellowship in psychiatry from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa).

Or

• A comparable qualification.

Or

• A Master's Degree in clinical psychology of the University or another university recognised for this purpose.

Or

• A professional qualification in a mental health discipline such as social work, occupational therapy, or nursing.

Or

• A professional qualification with requisite experience deemed comparable to any of the above.

And

• Is or will be practising in the mental health field.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory modules

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Addiction Mental Health Part 1 (PRY7016W), 120 Credits.
• MPhil in Addictions Mental Health Part 2 (PRY7017W), 60 Credits.

1. Ability to continue life-long learning.
2. Ability to reflect.
3. Contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the addictions programme.
4. Ability to be patient and family-centred.
5. Ability to think in terms of evidence- based systems.
6. Understand the psychological needs of both the patient and their families.
7. Awareness of cultural and other contextual aspects of addictions.
8. Be able to solve ethical dilemmas.
9. Be skilled to maximize the potential of the consultation.
10. Able to promote health and sobriety and facilitate improved health.
11. Able to do relevant and appropriate research.
12. Manage self and own practice (in public or private sector) effectively with visionary leadership.
13. Promote an addiction-free philosophy and thereby improve the quality of life of the community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Evaluate and manage patients with addictions in various contexts using a cost-effective, evidence-based approach.
• Maintain up-to-date, quality practice by implementing research findings.
• Disseminate knowledge and skills to patients, the community, fellow health workers, and future generations of addictions therapists.
• Utilise the potential of the family and community organisations to promote health.
• Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively.
• Design and critically appraise research.
• Make sound judgement using data and available information and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and clinical skills in addictions mental health.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessment

As the qualification is designed to provide mental healthcare workers with special expertise in Addictions Mental Health, the curriculum is delivered via seminars, supervision, case studies and demonstrations. The assessment strategy is an ongoing one, where students are assessed on performance through regular supervision sessions, and oral and observed clinical examinations every six months. At the end of the programme, candidates will have been assessed formally by means of in-course assessment reports, a three-hour written Part 1 examination and the presentation and examination of a dissertation.