Master of Philosophy in Adult Critical Care

Purpose

The Master of Philosophy in Adult Critical Care requires a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence and the ability to relate knowledge to resolve complex problems. The research project will require innovative or professional expertise through independent study.

The purpose of the qualification is that the learners will

• Acquire a high level of theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills and experience in the field of critical care medicine, via appropriate assimilation and analysis of new information, the ability to find workable solutions to problems and challenges, as well as the practical application of knowledge accrued.
• Prepare learners for a career as intensive care specialists (specialist intensivists [professional employment]).
• Acquire the necessary skills to identify key research opportunities, initiate well-structured research studies, complete such studies, and apply the results thereof.
• Move to a higher level of academic research work and promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.
• Contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure advancement in the field of critical care medicine and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre.
• Apply their skills to the task of answering the relevant questions and meeting the critical needs of the country.

Upon completion of this qualification, learners will achieve the following outcomes

• Identification of complex problems and solving of problems through critical and innovative thinking, responsible and independent decision-making, and application of basic and advanced scientific methods.
• Efficient and responsible application of basic and advanced scientific methods and technology.
• Efficient management of the collection, organisation, analysis, evaluation, integration and application of information from various sources, including advanced databases.
• Competent and efficient personal organisation and self-management to ensure independence at an advanced level.
• Personal self-development with emphasis on insight, responsibility, accountability, continued learning, self-criticism, acceptance of criticism from others, and the ability to work independently at a high level.
• The ability to work as part of a team and to add value to the larger group through constructive collaboration, cooperation and self-initiated new actions.
• Effective communication through the competent presentation of information and data through oral, audio-visual and written skills and by demonstrating appropriate graphical, statistical, linguistic and computer proficiency at a high level.
• Development and demonstration of a holistic approach to problem-solving within the context of respect and sensitivity for other people, the community, and the environment.
• Conceptualising the importance and the potential applications of health sciences in general and critical care in particular to the community through the communication of knowledge and results and the transfer of relevant technology.
• Knowledge of the opportunities, challenges, requirements and ethical principles that apply to research and good practice in the health science professions at an advanced level.

Qualifying learners will have the ability to

• Function as an intensivist and adequately take care of patients who are critically ill and requiring organ support.
• Independently design a clinical (or basic science) research project, to obtain ethical approval, to obtain funding, to perform such a project, to present the results and conclusions in a scientific format, and to accept the responsibility and

accountability for the performed work within the context of critical care medicine.

• Work independently on assignments, including research projects which require the appropriate theoretical and practical skills.
• Critically evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively using appropriate methods that are relevant to critical care medicine and to communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to other people.

Furthermore, the learner will have a sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the clinical syllabus as well as the selected research project.

Rationale

Critical care medicine is a relatively new but much-needed sub-speciality in South Africa. With sepsis being a global endemic disease and trauma a local endemic disease, South Africa is at the forefront of caring for this diverse population. Beyond excellent clinical care, the institution needs to instil a culture of clinical research to define the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and appropriate management within the field of critical care in lower-middle-income countries (LMIC).

The establishment of the consolidated critical care unit within the department of anaesthesiology and critical care is in its early stages. At present, a critical care advisory committee has been formed which serves to guide and facilitate the creation of this division. This committee is well represented by the departments of anaesthesiology and critical care, internal medicine and surgical sciences. Currently, the sub-speciality in adult critical care is recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and registration as an intensivist with the HPCSA is done upon the successful completion of the national exit examination. The need was identified for a formal qualification that focuses on specialist clinical training and research in the field of critical care, a need that will be filled with the introduction of this qualification.

This qualification aims to address the need to properly train clinicians with a thorough understanding of and experience in clinical research in the field of critical care medicine.

Learners may gain entry into the qualification upon registration with the HPCSA as either a specialist anesthesiologist/physician/emergency medicine/surgeon/obstetrician and gynaecologist and after completion of this qualification could focus further in this field in the form of a doctoral thesis.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes informal, formal learning and work experience. The learner must demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes indicated in the qualification to obtain credits/credit exemptions. The qualification conforms to the Institution's Regulation for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and the Guidelines of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The institution uses Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access, advanced standing and credits.

RPL for access

• RPL for access is applied based on merit, where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements.
• A learner will be considered for access in compliance with the institutional RPL Policy subject to the approval of the faculty committee, on the recommendation of the academic Head of Department and with notification to the Executive Committee of Senate.

RPL for credits or credit exemption

A learner may be only be granted RPL for exemption for the credits of a qualification. Therefore, credit exemption with this qualification is applied as follows:

• The applicant will be able to apply for the 45 credits of the research module: Critical Care Research Project.
• RPL for exemption is applied on a limited scale at the postgraduate level in cases where learners request that formal, informal and/or non-formal learning be recognised in place of modules of a structured postgraduate qualification.
• RPL for exemption will be accorded per module. Modules will be recognised where the curriculum, outcomes, credits and NQF level of the relevant module broadly match those of the required module in the qualification for which the learner wishes to enrol.
• Recognition will also be accorded to modules where the content included additional work that exceeds the requirements of the envisaged qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Obstetrics and Gynaecology NQF Level 8

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9,180 Credits

• Critical Care Research Project, 45 credits.
• Clinical Critical Care, 135 credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to function as an intensivist and to adequately take care of critically ill patients requiring organ support.
2. Independently design a clinical or basic science research project, to obtain ethical approval, to obtain funding, to perform such a project, to present the results and conclusions in a scientific format, and to accept the responsibility and accountability for the performed work within the context of critical care medicine.
3. Demonstrate a sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the clinical syllabus as well as the selected research project.
4. Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production, or complex

organisational or professional issues, and the ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific context. Work independently on assignments, including research projects which require the appropriate theoretical and practical skills.

1. Evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively using appropriate methods that are relevant to critical care medicine and to communicate knowledge, findings, and potential implications to other people.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Manage common as well as less common organ dysfunction pathologies and solve clinical problems scientifically.
• Show the clinical ability to adequately take care of patients who are critically ill and require organ support.
• Identify, explain and use theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the clinical syllabus.
• Work independently as well as in multidisciplinary teams on critical care and assignments with the required theoretical, clinical and practical skills.
• Evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems critically.
• Use appropriate methods that are relevant to critical care medicine.
• Communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to others (e.g. Patients, their families, members of the multidisciplinary team).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Formulate clear, answerable research questions as they pertain to the discipline of critical care.
• Decide on the most appropriate methodology to address the research question(s).
• Find all relevant information, including research and review articles, textbooks, guidelines, by accessing Internet databases and employing appropriate search strategies.
• Critically evaluate the relevant literature.
• Write an appropriate literature review.
• Formulate and write a research protocol.
• Collect and analyse the data.
• Draw logical, evidence-based conclusions from the data and evaluate them.
• Present and defend the results of the research in an acceptable written scientific format.
• Work independently on research projects which require the appropriate theoretical and practical skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills, with an exceptional critical awareness of current problems and/new insights at the forefront of the field of adult critical care.
• Produce work of exceptional standard, reflecting on knowledge and understanding of material within the field of Adult Critical Care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Show a high level of employability skills, including teamwork/leadership, project management, creativity, and flexibility.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion in a range of complex contexts.
• Use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to a field, discipline, or practice, to communicate with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise. Demonstrate the ability to write at a publishable standard.
• Demonstrate autonomy and originality in solving demanding problems in the field of Adult Critical Care.
• Show high levels of consistency in planning and implementing tasks for assessment purposes, but also professional or equivalent level.
• Identify and apply skills and attitudes needed to advance own knowledge and understanding of Adult Critical Care.
• Evaluate and take autonomous ethical decisions and make effectual contributions to the development of ethical standards in the Adult Critical Care context.
• Demonstrate an independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Evaluate a range of literature related to current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline of Adult Critical Care.
• Make use of appropriate academic conventions consistently.
• Deal with a range of complex issues both systematically and creatively, making excellent judgements in the absence of complete data.
• Analyse and interpret radiological imaging.
• Act as a clinical critical care practitioner by completing basic and invasive monitoring procedures, including placing technical lines and devices, analysing and interpreting data derived from them and appropriately managing it in a critical clinical context.
• Clinically manage common as well as less common organ dysfunction pathologies and solve clinical problems scientifically.
• Show the clinical ability to adequately take care of patients who are critically ill and require organ support.
• Identify, explain, and use theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the clinical syllabus.