Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Pulmonology

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Pulmonology (MPhil (Paediatric Pulmonology) is

• To ensure that learners acquire a high level of theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills and experience in the field of Paediatric Pulmonology, via appropriate assimilation and analysis of new information, the ability to find workable solutions to problems and challenges, as well as practical application of knowledge accrued.
• To ensure that learners acquire the necessary skills to identify key research opportunities, initiate well-structured research studies, complete such studies and apply the results thereof.
• To 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.
• To prepare learners who can apply their skills to the task of answering the relevant questions and meeting the critical needs of the country.

The purpose and Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification would be reached by means of the curriculum, as learners will be supervised, guided and assisted and they will be required to perform a research project at the appropriate level.

Rationale

This qualification aims to address the need of the country by properly equipping clinicians with a thorough understanding and experience in clinical research in the field of respiratory medicine. Similar to all the subspecialty qualifications in Paediatrics and Child Health, learners will be qualified paediatricians who have obtained their Master of Medicine (MMed) Paediatrics (Paed) or Fellowship Examination of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa (FC Paed (SA)) qualification.

The world-wide pandemic of tuberculosis, pneumonia and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)- related pulmonary diseases has made appropriate training and research in this field a priority for South Africa while making sure that more clinical research on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors, prevention and appropriate management becomes mandatory. Therefore, this qualification will prepare such learners for a career as Paediatric Pulmonologists.

The qualification will contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure advancement in the field of Paediatric Pulmonology and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The MPhil (Paediatric Pulmonology) qualification conforms to the University's Policy on the Regulation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT).

Exemption and credit transfer may only be granted on a per-module basis.

• Exemption from module(s), as RPL, can be granted on the strength of short course(s) outside the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) (in other words, non-credit-bearing) completed by the applicant, on condition that the course contents, duration and assessment of the short course are at least similar to that of the module(s).
• The time since the learning was completed may be taken into account, since learning that occurred too long ago may not be relevant at the time of application.
• A specific set of learning on the grounds of which admission to any postgraduate qualification is granted under RPL.
• Each credit exempted or transferred, must correspond to ten notional study hours.

In the case of RPL for access

• Applications for admission to postgraduate qualifications, the normal admission requirements may be waived based on prior learning, subject to the approval of the relevant faculty board.

Departments and programme committees in the Faculty of Health Sciences are at liberty to make use of one or more of the following assessment instruments, or of similar assessment instruments, when considering applications:

• Admittance assessment instruments (for example, entrance or placement tests, and special examinations, especially those that are assessed quantitatively).
• Learning portfolios (for example, the candidate may present a comprehensive set of documents and/or other evidence to illustrate his/her prior learning - such documentation will evaluated qualitatively by academic staff.
• "Conditional" admittance (for example, a learner may be accepted as a special learner and then be allowed to "perform himself or herself into" a learning programme).
• Prior supplementary work (for example, a learner may be provisionally admitted to a qualification on condition that he/she completes supplementary work that meets set requirements before being formally entered into the learning programme).
• Recognition of formal learning in the form of parts or the whole of qualification which were offered or completed at other institutions (for example, relevant Diplomas or Degrees).
• Recognition of formal learning completed in the form of professional short courses or in-service training courses (for example, learning that is not certified as a qualification, or part thereof, by another institution of higher learning).
• Recognition of non-formal or informal learning (for example, learning that took place in the workplace or in another appropriate environment on the initiative of the individual).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this qualification are as follows

• The applicant must have obtained the minimum admission criteria as specified. Academic achievements as a postgraduate learner, additional qualifications in relevant fields, clinical experience and research exposure will be taken into account. The selection process also considers non-academic criteria, such as communication skills, to ensure that learners are appropriately equipped to achieve the Exit Level Outcomes.
• Applications are forwarded to the Division of Paediatric Pulmonology and an interview with the applicant, in conjunction with a recent curriculum vitae (CV) and assessment of appropriate references, are used to make a final selection.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Clinical Pulmonology, 135 Credits.
• Research project, 45 Credits.

1. Function as a Paediatric pulmonologist and adequately take care of patients with a variety of respiratory disorders with a sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the clinical syllabus as well as the selected research project.
2. Independently design a clinical (or science) research project, 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 respiratory sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
• Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
• Demonstrate culturally and aesthetically sensitivity across a range of social contexts.
• Explore education and career opportunities.
• Develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Formulate clear, answerable research questions as they pertain to the discipline of pulmonology.
• Decide on the most appropriate methodology to address the research question(s).
• Find all relevant information, including research and review articles, textbooks and guidelines. by accessing internet databases and employing appropriate search strategies.
• Critically evaluate the relevant literature.
• Write an appropriate literature review.
• Formulate and write a research protocol.
• Conduct the study and analyse the data.
• Draw logical, evidence-based conclusions from the data.
• Present and defend the results of the research in an acceptable scientific format.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessments are performed on a continuous basis. This is done via monitoring procedures and helps to identify specific weaknesses in the learner's knowledge before engaging in a formal assessment process.

The Summative Assessment of a learner is performed by a process of formal internal and external examination of the two programme modules viz.

• Module I: Clinical competency is evaluated by a formal national written examination and clinical assessment, set and marked by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. The University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Paediatrics has a strong input into this process.
• Module II: The Research Project is assessed by two independent examiners. Examiners (preferably 3) may be proposed by the supervisor, but must be appointed by the Postgraduate Committee of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Research Project, together with a copy of the guidelines for assessment and a copy of the standard (pro forma) report form, must be submitted by the Postgraduate Committee (and not the supervisor) to the examiners for assessment. The examiners must return the completed standard report form to the Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) together with a more detailed report.