Master of Philosophy in Vascular Surgery

Purpose

The Master of Philosophy in Vascular Surgery [MPhil (Vascular Surgery)] is to educate and train medical specialists in the subspeciality of Vascular Surgery, so that they are able to contribute to the development of its science and practice.

This qualification will equip the surgeon learners in the care of the critically ill in the prevention, diagnosis, intervention and management of surgical diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) outside the chest. This MPhil (Vascular Surgery) provides sub-specialist education and training in vascular surgery interventions, in particular via the endovascular route. This qualification allows learners the ability to register with the College of Medicine of South Africa and the HPCSA with the status of subspecialist in Vascular Surgery.

Learners will acquire the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development, the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility and decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.

Rationale

This Master of Philosophy in Vascular Surgery [MPhil (Vascular Surgery)] provides sub-specialist education and training in vascular surgery interventions, in particular via the endovascular route, which has been found that General Surgeon are lacking training thereof.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) recognises Vascular Surgery as a subspecialty in General Surgery with many major and complicated procedures. This qualification will provide specialist education and training that the General Surgeon to perform operations like carotid endarterectomy, aortic aneurysm repair, distal bypass, and endovascular procedures such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting as well as provide training in non-invasive vascular diagnostic testing such as duplex Doppler. Currently half of surgical interventions are performed via the endovascular route thus General Surgeons do not have all the knowledge and skills to be involved in Vascular Surgery.

The Master of Philosophy in Vascular Surgery addresses the need and demand for postgraduate education and training in a specialised field of Medicine that is characterised by high quality, excellence, relevance to community needs and the development of scarce skills and highly specialised capacity in the African continent in general and in South Africa specifically. While a notable demand for this field of subspecialisation exists in the country as a whole, the need is even bigger in Central South Africa with a limited number of Vascular Surgeons present in the area.

Learners acquire a conceptual understanding of the field of study which enables them to critically evaluate methodologies, current research and advanced scholarship in the field of Vascular Surgery. The qualification intends to support the provision of quality health care to the South African society as it aims to deliver learners who are able to address the dire need for specialist vascular surgical skills by acting ethically and professionally, thinking analytically, as well as being able to evaluate and apply relevant information within the Health Care System. The qualification provides the foundation for successful learners to develop a career path in the health care environment and the need for efficient healthcare to the wider community by means of consolidating novel scientific research and professional medical practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission to this Master's Degree could be granted to learners not in possession of the specified Degree that meets the admission requirements at the discretion of the Institution and in accordance with the relevant legislation.

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 MPhil (Vascular Surgery).
• Sufficient experience must be proven by means of a logbook and certification by the Head of the Department where the experience was gained. The above information must then be evaluated by the Head of the Department of Surgery of the UFS and approved as equivalent.

Entry Requirements

Learners will be admitted to the Master of Philosophy in Vascular provided they have the following

• Master of Medicine in Surgery or Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery or equivalent.
• A Fellowship of the College of Surgeons (FCS) or of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (FC Cardio) of the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) will be considered an equivalent qualification.
• Similar foreign surgical specialist qualifications may also be considered equivalent.
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Specialist Surgeon or appropriate equivalent health authorities registration for the country of origin is compulsory.

This qualification consists of comprises 2 compulsory modules and a mini-dissertation at NQF Level 9, totalling 300 Credits:

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

1. Manage a wide range of specialised skills and competences in identifying, conceptualising, critiquing and implementing methods of inquiring and diagnoses to address medical challenges that demand high levels of expertise.
2. Implement and manage improved competences in the administration and management of the subspecialty.
3. Independently interrogate and reflect scholarly on theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in the field of Vascular Surgery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Expertise and critical knowledge in the field of Vascular Surgery is demonstrated.
• The required surgical skills and techniques and demonstrate them in a theatre setting are established and applied.
• A critical understanding of all pertinent aspects of applied anatomy, vascular physiology, haemodynamics, vascular pathology, ultrasonography and non-invasive vascular diagnosis, angiography and vascular radiology, and any aspects of vascular surgery that might be encountered in the day-to-day practice of vascular surgery is conceptualised.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Surgery systems that are acceptable and affordable for the country are integrated and proficiently assessed, planned and implemented.
• A vascular surgery unit with the required knowledge is managed to be able to apply it as part of a comprehensive management plan of a vascular patient.
• The required level of decisions to act according to the required level in complex and unpredictable situations for the management of vascular situations according to protocols is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• New clinical applications and practise, based upon independent scholarship are created.
• New knowledge and research initiatives is created.
• Specialist knowledge and theory in reflective, original, creative ways to solve complex practical and theoretical problems is applied.
• Ideas in developing a research protocol with the appointed supervisor on a particular theme are used and formulated.
• The theoretical arguments are analysed and described.
• The selected research processes and/or methodology are applied.
• The results are recorded, the conclusions are written and recommendations are made.
• A formal research project with a publishable or published article or a mini-dissertation is developed.
• A comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations are communicated.

Integrated Assessment

The mini-dissertation is externally examined.

The qualification will have continuous assessment of both theoretical and clinical skills. In order to be supported for registration in the sub-discipline of Vascular Surgery, each learner will require to have completed a logbook recording operative and diagnostic procedures, stating the degree of supervision for each case. The logbook will need to be 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.

These examinations will be conducted by the CMSA, with the individual examiners being appointed on the recommendation of the Vascular Society. Upon successful completion of all aspects of the above, the learners will be required to apply to the Health Professions Council of South Africa specialist committee for registration of their subspecialty.