Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Cardiology

Purpose

The qualification is designed to deliver professional and specialist medical practitioners who will be able to

• Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in the field of Paediatric Cardiology.
• Use a wide range of specialised skills and competency in identifying, conceptualising, critiquing and implementing methods of inquiring and diagnoses to address medical challenges that demand high levels of expertise.
• Apply specialist knowledge and theory in reflective, original, creative ways to solve complex practical and theoretical problems.
• Create new knowledge and research initiatives.
• Create new clinical applications and practise, based upon independent scholarship.
• Independently reflect scholarly on theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in the field of Paediatric Cardiology.
• Implement improved competences in the administration and management of Paediatric Cardiology.

Rationale

The Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Cardiology qualification endeavours to provide Postgraduate Education in a specialised field of Medicine that is characterised by high quality, excellence, relevance to the community needs and the development of scarce skills and highly specialised capacity needed in the African continent in general and in the South Africa specifically. This qualification intends to train registered specialists to become subspecialists (or "post-or super-specialists") in Paediatric Cardiology, one of a range of sub disciplines officially recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. This recognition underscores the investment in and necessity for scarce skills development, the building of specialised capacity and advanced competency in the field of Medicine, in particular Paediatric Cardiology, within the context of advanced learning and in depth research.

The qualification is proficiently developed by experts, within the framework of international comparability, occupational demands and requirements, and community needs. It is also aligned with the national priorities in the Health Sector and complies with the criteria, norm and standards set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Therefore, the programme has met all the prerequisites of the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a qualification in the independent sub-speciality of Paediatric Cardiology. The programme is aligned with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Framework.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Possible exemption, fully or partially, on the basis of comparable training and experience gained at another institution could be granted by the University. Based on the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy of the University, candidates may be granted exemption from applicable components of the programme. This will be done in consultation with the particular Head of Department, the Head of the School of Medicine and Appropriate structures within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Entry Requirements

Candidates may register for the Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Cardiology if he/she

• Complies with the stipulations of the General Regulations for Master's Degrees and the regulations of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• Is registered as a specialist in a clinical discipline with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
• Is in possession of a Master of Medicine (MMed) or College Fellowship or equivalent qualification in any clinical discipline. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is compulsory. Prospective candidates should have completed their internship and community service obligations.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 300 Credits.

• Echocardiography, 60 Credits.
• Percutaneous Interventions and Angiography, 60 Credits.
• Anatomy, 30 Credits.
• Physiology, 30 Credits.
• Health Care Practice, 30 Credits.
• General Cardiology and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 30 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation, 60 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in the sub-specialty of paediatric cardiology.
2. Create new knowledge and research initiatives in the study of paediatric cardiology.
3. Make autonomous ethical decisions and contribute to the development of ethical standards in a paediatric cardiology context.
4. Appoint, train and supervise specialised personnel.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Engage with and critique current practices.
• Select and apply creative methods, techniques, processes and technologies to complex clinical and theoretical problems.
• Diagnose and manage diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems of infants, children and adolescents.
• Provide guidance in the co-ordination, evaluation and supervision of an intensive care unit.
• Make interventions at an appropriate level and address the intended and unintended consequences of such interventions.
• Design, select and apply the required technical and procedure skills in a paediatric unit.
• Systematically assess priorities of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with co-ordination into an integrated patient management strategy.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for own work within the paediatric cardiology environment.
• Proficiently assess, plan and implement surgery systems that are acceptable and affordable for the country.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate and independently reflect current processes of knowledge production and choose appropriate processes of enquiry for the area of paediatric cardiology practice.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in the subspeciality.
• Interrogate and evaluate multiple sources related to theoretical knowledge and clinical examination of the neonate.
• Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the paediatric cardiology practice.
• Design, implement and manage strategies in the use of medical statistics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop own learning strategies and demonstrate the use of academic discourse in exposure to and conduct of clinical research.
• Communicate the appropriate use of imaging techniques, special investigations and laboratory tests.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Manage a paediatric cardiology registry.
• Use the appropriate evaluation systems for quality assurance.
• Establish the required protocols to improve efficiency and minimise fatalities.
• Actively participate in local, national and international seminars, Postgraduate courses.
• Implement improved competences in the administration and management of the subspecialty.

Integrated Assessment

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (Paediatric Cardiology) endorses excellence and academic integrity of postgraduate research and assessment are accordingly arranged by means of clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria. Different kinds of evidence of learning are therefore collected to monitor student progress. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual students and/or groups of students in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

For the purposes of this programme, candidates are subjected to an examination session, focusing not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on the integration of knowledge and competencies during practical examination sessions. Apart from written and oral examinations, candidates are required to engage in a research project and to submit an extended research report. These examinations are administered by the Colleges of Medicine.

For the MPhil (Paediatric Cardiology) work integrated learning will not carry separate credits but will be embedded in all modules, except the mini-dissertation. The mini-dissertation is constructively aligned and the topic chosen will fall within the subspecialty paediatric cardiology. WIL will be structured, recorded, monitored and assessed according to the CMSA's Portfolio of learning: Certificate in Cardiology of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa. Work integrated learning also does not carry separate credits but is embedded in the modules.