Master of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to

• Produce graduates with a high level of knowledge in the field of Emergency Medical Care via high level of analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.
• Prepare learners who aspire to move to a higher level of academic research work for Doctoral Studies and to 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 Emergency Medical Care.
• Develop academics with an understanding of healthcare systems and policies to develop appropriate interventions to improve access and quality in healthcare for all South Africans.

The qualification has three streams that can be pursued by the learners such as: Clinical Emergency Care; African Emergency Care and Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making. However, if learners choose the Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making Stream, there are two options available. One includes a research component of 60 credits and two additional theoretical elective modules while the other includes a research component of 90 credits and no additional theoretical elective modules.

Rationale

Although the speciality of Emergency Medicine is a relatively new one, the rapid growth in the need for emergency care and treatment demonstrates a demand for training in this field. There is a need for advancement in pre-hospital Emergency Care. Over the last few years this has been a dynamic field in which the educational outcomes have changed from short course training to a National Diploma to a Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) in Emergency Medical Care. Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors have been limited in their options to further their postgraduate training. This qualification offers the opportunity to emergency care professionals to advance to Master's Degree level and to engage in research so advancing knowledge in the sector.

This qualification develops a group of Emergency Care workers who are able to promote Emergency Care in South Africa by enhancing their clinical, management and research skills. The research component develops the knowledge required by emergency care practitioners to promote and foster Emergency Care research in South Africa, to encourage Evidence-Based practice and to develop locally appropriate policies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL process will be applied in accordance with the faculty's policy. Learner applications for RPL will be considered on a case by case basis in line with faculty processes. The Institution has an Assessment Policy and Recognition of Prior Learning (APRL) policy in place.

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Emergency Medicine qualification conforms to the University's Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) as well as the ARPL policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The policy defines the process that must be followed in the assessment of an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at postgraduate level and provides information pertaining to assessment tools that can be used in the assessment of RPL applications. The APRL process is subjected to the Faculty's quality assurance process. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal according to the relevant appeal procedures as stated in the University's General Calendar.

RPL may be used to grant access and advanced standing to learners.

Entry Requirements

For admission to the qualification the learners must have

Doctors

• A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) or equivalent.

And

• A minimum of 1 year Emergency Care experience post internship.

Or

- Completed 2 of the following Advanced Life Support courses or equivalent

> Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support,

> Advanced Trauma Life Support,

> Advanced Paediatric Life Support or

> Paediatrics Advanced Life Support.

Nurses

• Bachelor of Nursing, Level 8 or equivalent.

and

• A Minimum 2 years' experience in an Emergency Care environment.

Or

- Completed 2 of the following Advanced Life Support courses or equivalent

> Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support,

> Advanced Trauma Life Support,

> Advanced Paediatric Life Support or

> Paediatrics Advanced Life Support.

Paramedics

• Bachelor of Technology: Emergency Medical Care, Level 8.

and

• 2 years post registration service as a paramedic.

Or

- Completed 2 of the following Advanced Life Support courses or equivalent

> Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support,

> Advanced Trauma Life Support,

> Pre-hospital Paediatric Life Support.

Clinical Associates (Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making)

• Bachelor of Science: Clinical Associate, Level 8.

and

� 2 years' service post registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Or

- Completed 2 of the following Advanced Life Support courses or equivalent

> Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support,

> Advanced Trauma Life Support,

> Advanced Paediatric Life Support or

> Paediatrics Advanced Life Support.

For both the Patient Safety options no clinical experience is required for entry into the qualification.

This qualification comprises a choice of three streams. The streams each have compulsory and elective modules.

Learners are to choose one of the following three streams and complete the compulsory modules listed as well as the selected elective modules for the stream to give minimum of 180 Credits for the qualification.

Clinical Emergency Care Stream

Compulsory modules at Level 9, 180 Credits

• Clinical Research Methods I, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Emergency Care I, 15 Credits.
• Resuscitation and Critical Care, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Emergency Care II, 15 Credits.
• Health Care Systems,15 Credits.
• Research, 90 Credits.

Elective Modules: Choose two electives worth, 30 Credits

• Ambulatory Care and Travel Medicine, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine, 15 Credits:
• Disaster Medicine, 15 Credits.
• Disaster Medical Response Training, 15 Credits.
• Education and Training in Emergency Care, 15 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 15 Credits.

Total Credits for stream: 210.

African Emergency Care Stream

Compulsory Modules at Level 9, 165 Credits.

• Clinical Research Methods I, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
• African Emergency Care, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
• Health Care Systems, 15 Credits.
• Research, 90 Credits.

Elective Modules: Choose two electives, 30 Credits

• Education and Training in Emergency Care, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine, 15 Credits.
• Disaster Medicine, 15 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 15 Credits.

Total Credits for stream: 195.

Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making

Option 1

Compulsory Modules at Level 9, 165 Credits

• Clinical Research Methods I, 15 Credits.
• Health Care Systems, 15 Credits
• Critical Thinking in Emergency Care, 15 Credits.
• Patient Safety and Flow, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
• Thesis, 90 Credits.

Elective Modules: Choose one elective, 15 Credits

• Continuous Quality Improvement, 15 Credits.
• Education and Training in Emergency Care,15 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 15 Credits.

Total credits for Stream option: 180.

Option 2: Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making

Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits

• Clinical Research Methods I, 15 Credits.
• Health Care Systems, 15 Credits.
• Critical Thinking in Emergency Care, 15 Credits.
• Patient Safety and Flow, 15 Credits.
• Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
• Continuous Quality Improvement, 15 Credits.
• Education and Training in Emergency Care, 15 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 15 Credits.
• Research Assignment, 60 Credits.

Total credits for Stream option: 180.

The following Exit Level Outcome and its Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable across all three streams

1. Independently apply basic and advanced technical skills and scientific methods using relevant instruments and equipment to conduct sound research that conforms to the relevant legal, safety and bioethical requirements of good practice in the health sciences.

The following Exit Level Outcome and its Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable to the stream: Clinical Emergency Care:

1. Develop a rational evidence-based approach to clinical problems in Emergency Care.

The following Exit Level Outcome and its Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable to the stream: African Emergency Care:

1. Plan, develop and implement ultrasound in an emergency care system within the African context.

The following Exit Level Outcome and its Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable to the stream: Patient Safety and Medical Decision Making:

1. Critically engage with the operational aspects of Patient Safety in the working environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically evaluate the methodological and logistic problems involved in the design of a research proposal.
• Critique and evaluate current research and determine current best evidence.
• Understand the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the selected research project.
• Design a descriptive research proposal 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 the chosen stream.
• Independently interpret and apply key concepts related to Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics.
• Critically evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively using appropriate methods that are relevant to Emergency Medicine
• Communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to diverse audiences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate an understanding of health systems structure and financing in Emergency Care.
• Understand and plan the management of complex medical, surgical and paediatric emergencies.
• Critically analyse the critical decision pathways for common medical and surgical emergencies.
• Critically evaluate and plan for special clinical scenarios, including trauma and toxicology.
• Examine the structure and function of emergency care systems including global health systems related to both pre-hospital and in-hospital systems.
• Analyse the processes and treatment flow in emergency systems and examine how these are related to error and productivity.
• Evaluate the systems and structures available to deal with a critically injured patient and maintain that critical care.
• Critically appraise clinical problems in resuscitation and critical care based on evidence-based medicine.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Discuss the aspects of African epidemiology, emergency care systems (both pre-hospital and in-hospital), cost effectiveness and continuous quality improvement, in addition to decision making in emergency care, error and patient safety.
• Critically assess communities and populations for health related risks.
• Critically understand the process of quality improvement ofa health care system.
• Demonstrate clinical competence in emergency ultrasound at level 1/core capability.
• Understand the physics and theory behind ultrasound.
• Understand the indications and limitations of emergency ultrasound.
• Independently plan and implement an emergency ultrasound system and manage the quality of that system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Understand the concepts of critical medical thinking and medical decision making.
• Critically appraise, understand and augment the clinical decision making style impacting on clinical patient safety.
• Independently evaluate the factors associated with improving and maintaining quality of care in Emergency environments.
• Understand the principles of Patient Safety which is used to improve the care delivered in an Emergency Centre (EC).
• Discuss systems thinking as it pertains to error, risk assessments, morbidity and mortality and bedside teaching of error in Emergency Medicine (EM) as well as the governance of the EC.
• Explore the issues of flow in the EC, the safety implications of overcrowding, and apply change concepts that can be applied to improve flow into, through and out of the EC.
• Evaluate flow issues that can impact on patient care.

Integrated Assessment

Learners have to complete a research project at the appropriate level to the satisfaction of the examiners. The Summative Assessment of the Research assignment or Project is assessed through a process of formal internal and external evaluation. Each module will have continuous Formative Assessments.

Summative Assessments will be done at the end of each module. Learners will be required to have passed all of the modules (including the elective requirements for their stream) plus the research assignment plus the reflective journal in order to graduate. Case studies and assignments (4 per module) will be done in core modules. Reflective journals will be reviewed by the supervisor quarterly and by the Programme Committee every semester. Formative Assessments are performed on a monthly basis to monitor the learners.