Master of Philosophy in Health Systems

Purpose

It is intended that the learner who successfully completes this Master's Degree will be able to make a significant contribution, through independent research, advanced problem-solving skills and critical, reflective thinking to the knowledge and practice in the field of Health Systems and Services Research (HSSR). Learners will be supervised, guided and assisted by properly qualified individuals and they are required to present a research report that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the institution.

Learners successfully completing this qualification will

• Achieve a level of expertise which demonstrates deep knowledge in the field of HSSR, the ability to analyse of new information and deal with various complexities and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.
• Acquire the necessary skills and insight to:

> Contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities thereby ensuring advancement in the field of HSSR.

> Educate and train others who are able to independently perform research and who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of HSSR at an advanced level.

> Promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.

> Move to a higher level of academic research work for Doctoral Studies.

Graduates with this qualification will be able to assist in addressing the needs for a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre in HSSR, both in South Africa and globally - especially in the rest of Africa.

Rationale

The field of Health Systems and Services Research (HSSR) is an important discipline in South Africa and the region. It is important to have a well-functioning health system in order to meet the health demands of the population. However, there are many failures in the current health system, which will prevent the country, as well as the African Region from attaining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for health. Most of the health system failures are due to a lack of knowledge and health information that can drive informed decision making and resource priority setting in the health sector. This Master of Philosophy in Health Systems and Services Research (MPhil HSSR) can help to build the necessary skills to produce quality health information that can be used to improve the health system.

The creation of the MPhil HSSR is in part a response to the needs assessment conducted in several institutions of learning in sub-Saharan Africa. The needs assessment was conducted under the ARCADE project, to look into the institutional capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, to conduct health systems and services research. The findings of this assessment indicated that there were huge gaps in training for HSSR in sub-Saharan African countries.

Presently, there are many public and international health programmes in South Africa and the African region, which provide some training in health research. However, none of them focuses on building specific core competences of Health Systems and Services Research. This has led to a gap in understanding the functioning of the African health care system. The MPhil HSSR will be unique in that it will dwell on the core competences of HSSR, to train researchers who can deliver quality health research.

There is a great deal of research that needs to be addressed in this field of science, but there is also a lack of individuals who can perform such research, especially in Africa; this programme would provide the means by which high-level researchers in this field are developed. This is not only a local need, but has been identified internationally as a priority for this field of medicine.

Research that is specific to the African (especially South African) population is sorely needed. Collaborative research is being developed with Karolinska Institute and Makerere University in the area of Health Systems Research. There MPhil HSSR intends to develop the local capacity of researchers in this field of science, to match the development going on further north.

The programme makes provision for learners with specific learning support requirements and such learners will be identified for extra tutorials, devoted personal attention, and relevant support in learning and writing skills and in computer literacy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Master of Philosophy in Health Systems and Services Research conforms to the institution'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.

Entry Requirements

For admission to the MPhil HSSR, a learner must hold one of the following qualifications from any acknowledged institution for tertiary education:

• A four year professional Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in the relevant health sciences.
• A four year Bachelor of Social Science or Honours degree in Social Sciences that has the appropriate number of credits A NQF Level 8.
• Another qualification approved for such purposes by Senate.

Or

• Shall otherwise have attained a standard of competence deemed adequate for such purpose by Senate.

Or

• Applicants with other major subjects in health related sciences or social sciences at Honours level may be admitted, based on a motivation and/or successful completion of an admission examination. Learners may be admitted on condition that such learners fulfil the requirements of admission as defined by the institution. Depending on the field of study, additional work and/or proof of competency may also be required.

The qualification comprises nine compulsory modules and six optional modules - two of which are required to complete the qualification.

Compulsory modules

• Research Project, 60 Credits.
• Introduction to Health Systems and Services Research, 12 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics I, 12 Credits.
• Economic Evaluation, 12 Credits.
• Research Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship, 12 Credits.
• Qualitative Research Methods, 12 Credits.
• Survey Methods, 12 Credits.
• Writing and Reviewing Scientific Papers, 12 Credits.

Total credits for compulsory modules: 156.

Optional modules - complete two

• Participatory (Action) Research methods, 12 Credits.
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis, 12 Credits.
• Randomised Controlled Trials, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics II, 12 Credits.
• Health Policy Analysis, 12 Credits.
• Monitoring and evaluation, 12 Credits.

Total credits for optional modules: 24.

1. Independently design a research project, obtain ethical approval, obtain funding, perform such a project, present the results and conclusions in a scientific format, and accept the responsibility and accountability for the performed work within the context of health systems and services research.
2. Discuss the concept of Clinical Epidemiology with regard to Health Systems and Services Research and justify the use of the various methods of research therein.

The Following Assessment Criteria Are Applied To Either Or Both Of The Exit Level Outcomes

1. A sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the selected research project is presented.
2. Work on assignments and research projects, which require the appropriate theoretical and practical skills, is independently carried out.
3. An oral presentation in the required format/s is made on completion of the research.
4. Basic and advanced technical skills and scientific methods are independently applied through the use of relevant instruments and equipment to conduct sound research that conforms to the relevant legal, safety and ethical requirements that apply to good practice in the health sciences.
5. A wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively is critically evaluated and appropriate methods that are relevant to HSSR are utilised to successfully communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to other people.
6. Clinical Epidemiology is discussed in terms of its history and development, the causal links between exposure and outcome and the epidemiological concepts related to infectious diseases, occupational health and chronic diseases.
7. Various measurements applicable in clinical epidemiology are discussed.
8. The various scientific principles and methods appropriate to the evaluation of health systems and services are discussed.
9. The economic evaluation methods pertinent to health care are examined and critiqued.
10. A proposal for a clinical research project is developed and presented; and includes an application/s for a grant.
11. The stages of a qualitative research study are analysed and discussed.
12. The survey method of research is analysed and discussed.
13. The method and stages required to write a scientific paper for peer review are appraised and applied.

Two of the following assessment criteria must be achieved - relative to the optional modules selected

1. The potential of participatory research in the analysis of health levels in communities is discussed.
2. The methods for conducting a systematic review to answer a clearly defined question are evaluated.
3. Randomised control trials as a research method are determined.
4. Statistical analysis in relation to research is discussed.
5. Policy analysis theory is applied to examine current health care policy issues and policies in place in local, national and global settings.
6. The basic principles and activities related to monitoring and evaluation are interrogated and argued.

Integrated Assessment

The initial research protocol must be approved by the relevant Faculty Committee, as well as by the relevant Divisional and/or Departmental Research Committee. The progress of the experimental work is continuously monitored by the supervisor(s). The learner must complete a research project, which is assessed according to institutional guidelines through a process of internal and external assessment.

The institution requires of Master of Philosophy in Health Systems and Services Research learners to follow a programme approved by the University with set outcomes pertaining to knowledge and skills.

Formative assessments are performed during each module as determined by the course convenor. This is done via the monitoring procedures for the programme.

The summative assessment is composed of 50% by continuous assessment during the module, and 50% by a final examination in each of the modules. Learners have to achieve a 45% pass in the continuous assessments before being allowed to participate in the final examination.

The learners have to complete one research project at the appropriate level - to the satisfaction of the programme committee - following the institutional regulations for research projects of structured Masters' Degrees.