Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is to develop advanced knowledge and specialised problem-solving skills, preparing learners to deal with the common problems of human health and disease in the tropical environment and other low- and middle-income settings.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene has been designed to interweave the tradition of tropical disease studies with contemporary fundamentals, thus providing health practitioners with the tools to meet the modern challenges of tropical health posed by infectious diseases and humans.

Medical practitioners in their undergraduate training are provided with a broad overview of the epidemiology, management, and prevention of these conditions. The qualification will equip the learners with the competencies to effectively manage patients presenting with these conditions and advise on and manage public health interventions relevant to their practice areas.

On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Perform high-order problem-solving techniques (collecting, analysing, organising, and critically evaluating information) and apply these techniques in the field of tropical medicine and hygiene.
• Analyse health and its promotion, disease and its prevention, and management in different contexts.
• . Apply knowledge of the major problems of human health and disease that are prevalent in tropical and other low-middle-income countries.
• . Show professional and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of tropical medicine and hygiene, both in relation to the care of individuals and populations.
• . Demonstrate self-direction and independence in learning to become a lifelong learner.
• . Show ability to working with others as members of a team, group, organisation, community.

Rationale

Morbidity and mortality in the tropics and other lowand middle-income countries are usually due to preventable and treatable communicable and non-communicable diseases. The burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in southern Africa and other low-middle-income countries is high.

Undergraduate medical training is often limited in covering topics commonly seen in these settings and does not prepare individuals with advanced knowledge and skills to manage such challenges. The qualification aims to address this important gap.

Qualifying learners may qualify to be employed as

• Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry
• Academic Researcher
• Acute Medicine Doctor
• Additional Professor of Medicine
• Bioinformatician
• Cardiologist
• Clinical Fellow in Medicine
• Clinical Worker (Infectious Diseases)
• Consultant Anaesthetist and Critical Care Doctor
• Consultant Medical Microbiologist
• Core Medical Trainee
• Director of Emergency Medical Services
• GP (General Practitioner)
• Infection and Disease Consultant

The qualification emphasises conditions likely to be seen in developing countries, contributing to the need in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. The qualifying learners can be able to articulate through to Masters in a specialisation.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules, and credits or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8,

And

• Registered as a medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

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

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8: 120 Credits

• Key Concepts in Tropical Health and Priority Diseases, 30 credits.
• Vector-borne and other Tropical Infectious Disease, 30 credits.
• Important Communicable and Non-communicable Conditions in the Tropics, 35 credits.
• Prevention and Control of Diseases in the Tropics, 25 credits.

1. Perform high-order problem-solving techniques (collecting, analysing, organising, and critically evaluating information) and apply these techniques in the field of tropical medicine and hygiene.
2. Analyse health and its promotion, disease and its prevention, and management in different contexts.
3. Apply knowledge of the major problems of human health and disease that are prevalent in tropical and other low-middle-income countries.
4. Show professional and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of tropical medicine and hygiene, both in relation to the care of individuals and populations.
5. Demonstrate self-direction and independence in learning to become a lifelong learner.
6. Show ability to work with others as members of a team, group, organisation, or community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Collect, record, and analyse health-relevant information systematically and reliably; use this data to identify and manage health problems.
• Analyse burden of disease and relate this to the socio-economic, political, environmental, and behavioural determinants of disease.
• Develop the most appropriate approach to solving problems.
• Identify and apply key principles in the practice of tropical medicine and hygiene to solve problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Identify key issues in tropical medicine and hygiene.
• Articulate an understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, and pathology of diseases.
• Integrate basic science and clinical skills to manage diseases in such settings and develop strategies for the prevention of such conditions, including the use of health promotion.
• Apply the principles of disease and disability prevention and health promotion within the context of promoting a healthy environment.
• Investigate outbreaks/epidemics.
• Advise on, or initiate and supervise, measures to control and prevent such diseases.
• Institute appropriate infection control and isolation measures.
• Collate, record, analyse, and interpret all relevant information, and devise a management plan/programme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Apply the principles of epidemiology and clinical evaluation to good clinical practice of tropical medicine and hygiene.
• Obtain an appropriate history and understanding of the patient's reason for encounter, perform a complete examination, interpret the findings to reach an assessment of the patient's problems, and formulate, with the family, plans for investigation and management
• Initiate appropriate laboratory investigations and interpret independently the most common laboratory tests relating to these diseases.
• Appropriate decision-making regarding investigations and management (including treatment and control/prevention interventions) or referral based on the above and current evidence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Shows an appreciation of the diversities of background and opportunity, language, and culture amongst patients and communities.
• Recognizes the need to refer patients to or seek advice from practitioners who are more appropriately qualified/experienced than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
• Shows an understanding, through actions or in written form, of the moral, legal, and ethical duties related to individual patient care and the delivery of care to communities.
• Shows consideration of the impact of the environment on health.
• Displays insight for the need to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in society and use his or her professional capabilities to contribute to the community and individual patient welfare.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Uses appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life
• Apply skills in essential writing, critical reading, and public speaking, which are required to complete the course, as well as for their roles as managers.
• Acknowledges responsibility for continuing professional development to keep up to date with new developments, maintain accreditation, and meet statutory requirements.
• Identifies personal limitations and develops the capacity for self-audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.

• Recognise the nature and scope of the various professional health disciplines.
• Work effectively with others in a team, understanding the need to have managerial, communication, and research skills for this purpose.
• Demonstrate respect for the essential roles which other health workers play in health care and show a willingness to work effectively within a team.
• Be competent to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with peers, colleagues, patients and their families, members of the health care team, and the public.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment is undertaken continuously, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments, and tasks that contribute to the final mark. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above. Summative assessment may be conducted by means of written examinations and equivalent assignments designed to integrate practical, theoretical, and reflective competence.

To promote, monitor, and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.