Postgraduate Diploma in Phytotherapy

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Phytotherapy is to develop learner competencies in the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for diagnosing and managing patients in the field of Phytotherapy and formulating comprehensive treatment plans for health promotion. In addition, this qualification will educate and train learners who can contribute to the development of knowledge and prepare the learners to practice in a specialised profession, in this case a complementary medicine environment.

The qualifying learner will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence based techniques, practical exposure and appropriate skills as a healthcare practitioner. The qualification of study will produce a well-rounded learner who will be competent to compound, dispense and prescribe herbal medicines within their scope of practice. The learner will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams to promote the profession.

Rationale

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 80% of the world's population makes use of herbal remedies. Phytotherapy is a science-based medical practice that utilises plant-derived medications in the treatment and prevention of specific conditions. It is supported by evidence-based research and practitioners make use of plants that are rigorously tested in clinical trials for disease conditions. Medicinal plants have been used therapeutically all around the world and are an important component of many CM modalities, such as Phytotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathy.

In South Africa, with a population of approximately 52 million citizens, there are only 44 phytotherapists registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). This discrepancy in the number of practitioners available in relation to the population is largely due to the limited availability of education/training that allows for registration. Various individuals and stakeholders proposed that this institution considers expanding its offerings of CM in order to fulfil a further role in the training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of Complementary Medicine (CM) modalities for registered practitioners, especially in phytotherapy.

The target audience is learners who has a Master of Technology in Homeopathy or Chiropractic, as well as a variety of registered diagnostic health professionals (including medical practitioners).

The qualification will equip health professionals with the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies to manage and treat patients effectively as well as engage in community upliftment. This qualification promotes the principles of lifelong learning and provides a qualification that can enhance a healthcare practitioner's career. It is essential within the South African environment to provide health care which is accessible to the community and is of a high professional standard.

The Medicines Control Council (MCC) of South Africa established regulation of CMs by way of the amendment to the General Regulations of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965), in November 2013, which established the category of medicine "Category D - Complementary Medicine" and included a prescribed, current definition for CM. In November 2014, the Minister of Health published regulations for comment which included the proposed amended definition: "complementary medicine" means any substance or mixture of substances that:

• Originates from plants, fungi, algae, seaweeds, lichens, minerals, animals or other substance as determined by Council, and;
• Is used or purporting to be suitable for use or manufactured or sold for use-

> In maintaining, complementing, or assisting the innate healing power or physical or mental state, or;

> To diagnose, treat, mitigate, modify, alleviate or prevent disease or illness or the symptoms or signs thereof or abnormal physical or mental state, of a human being or animal.

• Is used-

> As a health supplement, or

> In accordance with those disciplines as determined by Council.

• Is declared by the Minister, on recommendation by the Council, by notice in the Gazette to be a complementary medicine.

Considering the above new legislation, focus is required to be generated in the field that will contribute towards the answering of crucial research questions. As a contribution to medical science and the objectives of the international policies on CM, this qualification will further the aims associated with the provision of safe, quality and efficacious healthcare. Applied research in the field, should be supported in order to generate knowledge on the quality, safety, molecular effects, and clinical efficacy of the numerous herbs in common use. This lends to further opportunities for the education of professionals on the basis of the production of such evidence as well as the consideration of further research in articulated qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and credits will be awarded that are aligned to the learning outcomes of the qualification and to promote lifelong learning.

The Faculty of Health Sciences manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, and will be applied as follows for the purposes of this qualification as set out in the Qualifications and Regulations policy:

• Through Recognition of Prior Learning, a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at this institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the institution.
• Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements:

> Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level;

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification; and

> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Sciences.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Technology Homoeopathy, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Master of Health Science in Complementary Medicine (Homeopathy), NQF Level 8.

Or

• Master of Technology Chiropractic, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of surgery, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) Complementary Health Science and a Bachelor's Degree in one of the following: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Naturopathy, or Unani-Tibb.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Foundations of Phytotherapy, 10 Credits.
• Herbal Pharmacognosy, 10 Credits.
• Herbal Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, 15 Credits.
• Applied Phytotherapy, 25 Credits.
• Herbal Pharmacy, 14 Credits.
• Clinical Phytotherapy, 30 Credits.
• Ethics and Jurisprudence, 8 Credits.
• Applied Research. 8 Credits.

1. Apply the theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of Phytotherapy and reflecting on the application made.
2. Integrate biomedical, behavioural and social sciences relevant to health promotion and management within a primary health care setting.
3. Develop and implement phytotherapy-based treatment and prevention protocols that would promote and manage health, with an understanding of the role and function of other health disciplines and their relevance in multi-disciplinary patient management.
4. Communicate effectively and apply the principles of medical ethics and professional behaviour within a professional multi-cultural and international context.
5. Critically use multiple sources of literature in order to develop and contribute towards research output in a phytotherapy related field.
6. Evaluate and implement the pharmaceutical and legislative requirements pertaining to the manufacture and sale of herbal medicines within a compliant dispensary.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Present clinical data of a range of health problems to Phytotherapists that is accurately derived, analysed and interpreted.
• Formulate solutions to complex health problems, through the innovative application of knowledge and conceptual thinking skills.
• A comprehensive and holistic approach is taken to integrate relevant clinical competencies and Phytotherapy knowledge.
• Planned and execute research in the field of Phytotherapy and related management e; including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpreting information on economic, business management and health issues correctly, utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Differentiate social and behavioural aspects of health and the relationship between health behaviour, the community, society and the environment.
• Identify multidisciplinary approaches in the prevention of illness and the improvement of health within the community and for the individual.
• Apply programmes, policies and activities to promote health and assess impact.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop and implement Phytotherapeutic protocols related to body systems and their associated health conditions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing at an advanced level with the different role players in the health field by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application thereof.
• Choose between various methods of managerial decision-making and action needed for the achievement of the objectives that determine the long-term wellbeing of the patient.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Act in accordance with the requirements of a health professional.
• Take account of, act in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary.
• Accept the responsibility for their own activities and progress in the field of Phytotherapy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify and investigate, a research question or problem.
• Apply specialist knowledge of the main areas of one or more fields, disciplines or practices, including an understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories related to the practise of Phytotherapy.
• Demonstrate intellectual competencies and research skills in the areas of Phytotherapy and implementing strategies in order to address health related conditions.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the formulation of strategic and health related problems within the field of Phytotherapy and the health environment can be demonstrated.
• Devise appropriate treatment interventions to solve complex health problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply the pharmaceutical and legislative requirements pertaining to the manufacture and sale of CMs and the operation of a dispensary, including related compounding and dispensing procedures.
• Provide evidence of ethical, legal and therapeutic considerations in all facets of compounding and dispensing medicines and therapeutic devices through correct application.
• The required medication can be compounded and dispensed according to good manufacturing and good pharmacy practice.
• Advise and manage patients to ensure quality use of medicine and improve health status.

Integrated Assessment

The number of assessments are informed by module and Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification as well as by the nature of the knowledge area or skills that are being assessed, e.g. written tests (including both formative and summative assessments) to assess cognitive processes/skills and/or knowledge of theory and OSCE, clinical sessions and or simulations to assess clinical skills.

The actual number of assessments offered will be in-line with institutional and faculty policies on assessment, and designed according to stipulated requirements from the professional body (AHPCSA).

A variety of assessments will be used.

• Assessment takes place in accordance with the institution's Assessment Policy and the Faculty specific assessment policy;
• Qualification specific assessment regulations are determined by the Faculty Board and approved by Senate;
• A variety of "fit for purpose" methods of assessment are used by the assessor/s within a unit/module to assess the learner and his/her work as defined by the outcomes;
• Assessment activities include the following broadly based activities:

> Observation of real or simulated learner-patient interaction e.g. practical exercises/demonstrations, role-plays, presentations;

> Evaluation after a task has been completed e.g. projects, assignments, case studies, portfolios, artefacts, log books, reflective journals;

> Questions, oral or written, used either separately or in combination with tests/examinations, including short or long questions, essays, multiple choice questions; and

> Clinical examinations and treatment of patients by learners done under supervision of a clinician.

The following outlines the concepts of Formative and Summative Assessments that will be used for the qualification and respective modules.

Formative assessments may include tutorials, conducting class presentations, active participation in group work, peer assessments, written class tests and assignments.

Summative Assessment

The results of such formal assessment (e.g. tests, assignments, projects, presentations, creative production or traditional examinations) are expressed as a mark.

Summative and Continuous Assessments

The number, type, weight, and date of assessments, replacement and/or supplementary assessments, are pre-set and agreed upon by the assessor and the moderator before commencement of the unit/module. Summative assessments are not limited to written assessments.

Assessment and Monitoring of Work Integrated Learning.

The qualification subscribes to the principles of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), which is compulsory for all learners and forms part of the Applied Phytotherapy, Herbal Pharmacy, and Clinical Phytotherapy modules. WIL will therefore include both theoretical and clinical modules that will be aligned with the practical or practice-based components through teaching and learning activities that bring theory and practice together in meaningful ways. WIL commences in the first year and continues into the second year. Since WIL is considered integrated into the qualification, the WIL components will be done in the Health Training Centre (HTC) and approved offsite services under the supervision of registered practitioners.

The relevant Professional Board also stipulates minimum requirements before the learner may register with the AHPCSA as a phytotherapeutic practitioner. WIL practices include theoretical (work-directed theoretical learning), problem based learning, clinical demonstrations, patient case taking skills and clinical practice and patient management.

WIL will be assessed using the following assessment methods: case presentations, tutorials, role play/simulated cases, digital recording of clinical sessions with review thereafter, supervision and continuous evaluation of learners within the clinical environment.