Master of Philosophy in Clinical Neuropsychiatry

Purpose

The purpose of this programme in Clinical Neuropsychiatry is to equip psychiatrists and neurologists with the knowledge and skills required to appropriately assess and treat those conditions that have both psychiatric and neurological manifestations. This also includes basic knowledge of other, associated disciplines such as imaging and neuropsychology. The programme strives to equip clinicians with the skills to meet the increasing need for appropriate knowledge in this field in South Africa.

Graduates from this programme will be able to deal with complex issues intelligently, solve problems creatively and be autonomous in their field of specialization in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding. Graduates will contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with critical intellectual skills and capabilities to ensure the healthy continuation of the field of Neuropsychiatry.

Rationale

Across the world Neuropsychiatry is increasingly being practised as a sub-speciality to address the knowledge and service gap between psychiatry and neurology. There are many reasons for this, including the increased prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the neuropsychiatric complications that accompany these disorders, as well as the realisation that many neurological disorders, including conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke and neurodegenerative disorders, have psychiatric manifestations that deserve treatment in their own right. Similarly, there is an increasing awareness of the neurological components inherent in many so-called psychiatric disorders, including the dementias, psychoses and other psychiatric disorders. There is therefore a considerable area of overlap between the specialities of neurology and psychiatry that requires specialised skills which cannot be addressed adequately in current specialist training.

The purpose of this qualification in Clinical Neuropsychiatry is to equip psychiatrists and neurologists with the knowledge and skills required to appropriately assess and treat those conditions that have both psychiatric and neurological manifestations. This also includes basic knowledge of other, associated disciplines such as imaging and neuropsychology. The programme strives to equip clinicians with the skills to meet the increasing need for appropriate knowledge in this field in South Africa.

Learning assumed

It is assumed that learners are

• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Fluent in at least one other official South African language commonly used in the Western Cape (Afrikaans and isiXhosa).
• 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.

Access to the qualification

Access to the qualification is open to learners in possession of a Masters in Medicine (Psychiatry/Neurology) 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 or neurologist. Learners must also be eligible for Registration as a professional with the appropriate Health Sciences related body (the Health Professions Council of South Africa).

Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

All learning is at NQF Level 9.

Graduates will be able to

• Be an independent learner and will have accepted the responsibility for lifelong continuous professional development.
• Perform independent analysis of new data and clinical problems using a wide range of methods and techniques appropriately.
• Plan, execute, interpret and publish research relevant to the discipline.
• Read and interpret computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain, understanding the output in terms of relevant clinical diseases in psychiatry, neuropsychiatry and psychosomatic medicine.
• Accurately assess and incorporate new, evidence-based research results when these are disseminated to the mental health field.

Graduates will demonstrate

• Comprehensive and specialised knowledge of applied medicine in the area of their subspecialty, and mastery of the relevant advanced theories.
• Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills required for the independent practice of neuropsychiatry.
• Well-developed research skills within their chosen subspecialty, and a mature appreciation for the international standards of Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Research.
• Familiarity with the literature and state of research in areas related to Neuropsychiatry.
• A comprehensive and specialised knowledge of the need and application of neuropsychological assessments in clinical practice.
• Knowledge of the physical principles underlying clinical imaging methods in clinical psychiatry, as well as the clinical indications and limitations of each of these methods.

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 adhere 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.