Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery

Purpose

The primary purpose of the qualification is to educate and train medical specialists to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced, specialised level such that they are prepared for advanced and sub-specialised professional practice in trauma surgery.

The qualification aims to produce trauma surgeons with specialist knowledge and competencies in critical trauma surgery. A substantial number of conditions and therapeutic modalities in trauma surgery require highly specialised knowledge and training in order to achieve satisfactory patient outcomes. Training and certification in the sub-specialty discipline of Trauma Surgery addresses the need for these more specialised skills in the diagnosis and management of all trauma conditions, and focuses particularly on achieving improved outcomes in these aspects of trauma disease where less than optimum management may result in high peri-operative mortality and morbidity. This is particularly important in the management of multi-system trauma injury, and in the specialised critical care of the trauma patient.

Rationale

The development of the qualification addresses the long-standing shortage of highly qualified professionals that are able to deal with the special needs of trauma. Trauma Surgery is briefly stated as the prevention and mitigation of trauma due to all forms of mechanical injury (penetrating and blunt) through the propagation of quality treatment and appropriate surgical intervention. This qualification intends to train registered specialists to become subspecialists (or "super-specialists") in Trauma Surgery. 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 Trauma Surgery, within the context of advanced learning and in depth and innovative research. Rapid advances have recently been made in the understanding, diagnosis, management and treatment of disease, chronic illness and deformity. These developments have created a need for the training of surgical discipline specialists in Trauma Surgery who are able to provide comprehensive services to their patients and also contribute to innovative research in this field.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree or a relevant Postgraduate Diploma.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be in compliance with institutional policy. In addition, the following will be enforced, with consent of the Head of the Department of Surgery and the Executive Committee of the School of Medicine:

Possible exemption, for a maximum period of 6 months, on the basis of comparable training and experience gained at another recognised academic institution could be granted, subject to the following conditions:

• The said periods of training must have occurred within at most two years before registering for the Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery.
• Sufficient experience must be proven by means of a logbook and certification by the Head of the Department of Surgery where the experience was gained.
• The above information must then be evaluated by the Head of the Department of Surgery of the University of the Free State and approved as equivalent.

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

• Advanced Trauma Surgery 1, 120 Credits.
• Advanced Trauma Surgery 2, 120 Credits.
• Mini-dissertation, 60 credits.

1. Conceptualise, integrate and implement all aspects of the critically injured patients at an advanced level of competency.
2. Interrogate and function at an advanced level of competency in trauma and critical care related environments.
3. Design and develop the special body of knowledge required for the comprehensive management of the trauma patient.
4. Engage and critique research in the various areas of trauma care such as prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation.

Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Surgical and non-surgical therapy of injured patients is performed.
• Preoperative, operative and postoperative care of injured patients who require critical care are observed.
• Patients of all age groups, particularly those with critical injuries complicated by chronic cardiac, respiratory, renal or metabolic dysfunction are treated.

Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Advanced technology and instrumentation are used to monitor the physiologic status of trauma patients of all ages.
• Organisational and administrative aspects of a trauma care system are applied.
• Activities that foster development of skills in teaching and in research.
• Ethical, economic, and legal issues as they pertain to trauma care patient are applied.

Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Special body of knowledge required for the comprehensive management of the trauma patient is used.
• Trauma care system, including pre-hospital care and transport is evaluated and supervised.
• Knowledge relating to physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy of disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurologic, endocrine, musculoskeletal and the immune systems is applied.
• Procedure about disaster management, mass casualty situations, and disaster medicine is understood.

Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Available literature is reviewed to inform research in the field.
• Data is collected (possibly including empirical research).
• Research finding/s are analysed.
• Conclusions are drawn.
• Recommendations are made.
• Mini-dissertation is prepared and presented.

Integrated Assessment

Each module will have assessment of both theoretical and clinical skills. In order to be supported for registration in the sub-discipline of Trauma Surgery, each learner will require to have completed a logbook recording operative and diagnostic procedures, stating the degree of supervision for each case is required. The logbook will need to be reviewed and verified by the head of the unit on a quarterly basis.

Learners will be required to produce both their logbook and certification by the Head of Department or Departments, in which the training was completed, confirming satisfactory completion of training and achievement of the requisite level of technical and operative skill, prior to admission to the exit examination.

Successful completion of the experiential learning, as evidenced by the logbook is a prerequisite for the exit examination.

The mini-dissertation is internally and externally examined in compliance with institutional policy.

Upon successful completion of all aspects of the above, the learners will be required to apply to the Health Professions Council of South Africa's specialist committee for registration of their subspecialty.