Master of Philosophy in Old Age Psychiatry

Purpose

The elderly (60 years and older) in South Africa currently account for 8% (3.8 million) of the total population (48 million); the figure is projected to rise significantly. While 30% of the elderly are psychiatrically impaired (e.g. 150 000 with dementia); 80% have a physical illness, and many both. 80% of the elderly are on medication, of these 40% on three or more.

Years of healthy life lost due to disability amount to 8% among the wealthy but rises to 18% among the impoverished. While some of the ailments, are common to the younger age group; most are not requiring specialised psychogeriatric intervention and liaison with other gerontological health professionals and organizations.

Only seven dedicated university-associated outpatient facilities are meeting this need. This programme will provide graduates who are adequately prepared to work in the psychogeriatric unit of Stellenbosch University and other similar units.

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.

Rationale

The programme will help to address the needs of stakeholders such as the provincial government, non-governmental organisations and health services that need to deal with mental health problems associated with head injuries, HIV, the aging population and other medical and surgical conditions. Graduates from this program will also have the ability to generate new knowledge in this growing field, as they will have been enabled with excellent research skills.

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.
• 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 MDCHB, or a Masters in Medicine (Psychiatry) or who have successfully completed the exit examination from the College of Psychiatrists, South Africa (FC Psych) or FCP (SA) Neurology which allows the graduate to practice as a psychiatrist.

Learners must also be eligible for Registration as a professional with the appropriate Health Sciences related body (the Health Professions Council of SA).

At least two or more year's professional experience will be an advantage.

Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

All learning is at NQF Level 9.

Graduates will be able to

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate

1. Comprehensive and specialized knowledge of applied medicine in the area of their subspecialty, and mastery of the relevant advanced theories.
2. Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills required for the independent practice of Old Age Psychiatry.
3. Well-developed research skills within their chosen subspecialty, and a mature appreciation for the international standards of Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Research.
4. Familiarity with the literature and state of research in areas related to Old Age Psychiatry.
5. A comprehensive and specialized knowledge of the need and application of neuropsychological assessments in clinical practice.
6. Knowledge of the physical principles underlying clinical imaging methods in Old Age 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 adheres 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.