Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Description
Purpose: This qualification aims to provide the learner with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and applied competence in fields traditionally associated with Medicine. It aims to lay the foundations for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity, and contributions to society through innovation, scholarship, and leadership.
Rationale: The qualification offers a comprehensive education that equips learners with formative, informative, and transformative learning related to the Core Competencies outlined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Graduates are prepared to practice in private practice, private hospitals, and academic institutions. The program ensures medical practitioners meet the HPCSA requirements and are licensed to work in various settings, including primary care clinics, community centers, and hospitals at different levels of care. Successful completion of the qualification makes learners eligible for registration as interns with the HPCSA.
Outcomes
- Approach the practice of medicine with professional values, attitudes, behaviour and ethics (professionalism).
- Have developed critical thinking (inquisitive and questioning attitude and applying rational process, recognising irrationality in oneself and others)### competence in problem-posting and problem solving (formative, informative and transformative learning).
- Recognise, explain and manage health problems based on principles of current scientific knowledge and the best available evidence (health care practitioner).
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate scientific principles into clinical practice (scholar).
- Know and understand diseases relevant to the context of practice. Demonstrate effective communication skills and teamwork as part of an integrated health care delivery system and employ general principles of good communication in all spheres and through all media, including dealings with the wider community where necessary (communicator).
- Access, utilise and manage resources consistent with health promotion and the determinants of health and wellness by considering patient, family and community needs and be able to make referrals according to the current health systems organisation as available in context of practice (health advocate and leader/manager).
- Demonstrate competency in the clinical method (communication skills, physical and mental examination, clinical reasoning and judgment) using a holistic, patient centred approach to ensure ethical decision-making and effective patient care within a multi professional team (collaborator).
- Demonstrate competence in basic technical medical procedures.
- Effectively manage (collect, store and use) information pertaining to patients and the practice of medicine making appropriate use of technology in order to maintain accurate patient records and ensure confidentiality of the information at all times (leader/manager).
- Understand the scientific principles, basic designs, methods and techniques of medical research, epidemiology and biostatistics and know how to access and interpret medical literature (scholar).
- Know and understand the fundamental facts, concepts and theories of health and its promotion (health advocate).
- Demonstrate a capacity for self-awareness and reflection for ongoing personal professional development (scholar) given the specialised outcomes, there is no curriculum choice.
Assessment Criteria
To assess the integrated competencies of medical students, a variety of assessment methods are utilized in medical education. These assessments aim to evaluate the students' professional behavior, critical thinking skills, understanding of scientific principles, communication skills, teamwork abilities, and knowledge of diseases and health promotion.
Assessment Methods Include:
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Examinations: Assess theoretical knowledge through various formats such as multiple-choice questions, matching, extended-matching, long-answer, and short-modified questions.
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Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE): Tests clinical skills in a structured format where students rotate through stations to perform specific tasks.
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Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS): Evaluates practical skills through direct observation of performing procedures.
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Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): Assesses clinical skills and professionalism through simulated patient encounters.
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Portfolios: A collection of evidence showcasing the student's learning, progress, and reflections. It may include case reports, project reports, video recordings of consultations, and written reflections.
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Viva Voce (Viva) Examination: Oral examination to assess all core competencies including professionalism, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Key Competencies Assessed:
- Professional Behavior: Demonstrating ethical behavior, professionalism, and adherence to professional values.
- Critical Thinking: Applying current scientific knowledge and evidence-based principles to manage health problems.
- Scientific Principles: Integrating scientific knowledge into clinical practice.
- Communication Skills: Demonstrating effective communication with patients and colleagues.
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with healthcare teams.
- Clinical Method: Competency in the clinical method and understanding of health promotion.
Through a combination of these assessment methods, medical schools ensure that students are well-prepared to enter the practice of medicine with a strong foundation in knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.