Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Health Sciences and Social Services - Preventive Health

Purpose and Rationale

Program Objective:

The program aims to produce medical practitioners with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice medicine in various settings.

Learning Outcomes:

Supervised Internship and Vocational Training:
- Ability to meet the challenges of supervised internship and vocational training year.
Health Problem Management:
- Competence to manage diverse health problems in individuals, families, and communities.
Clinical Skills:
- Acquisition, interpretation, and assessment skills for diagnosing physical and mental conditions.
- Ability to use appropriate aids and knowledge of referral for specialized diagnosis and care.
Clinical Decision Making:
- Application of fundamental biomedical and behavioral science learning for clinical decisions.
- Incorporating professional judgment, communication abilities, and ethical practice.
Healthcare Insight:
- Understanding healthcare promotion and prevention and management of diseases in South Africa.

Rationale:

There is a serious shortage of doctors in the country, particularly in rural areas. This program is dedicated to addressing this acute shortage.

Outcomes

Demonstrate the necessary scientific and professional knowledge, skills and attitudes to deal with the health care problems of urban and rural communities, families and individuals in South Africa.
Motivated to work in both urban and rural primary health care settings in SouthAfrica and can find professional and personal satisfaction in such work.
Work in health care teams to the benefit of the people of this country.
Educate and motivate communities, families and individuals to take personal responsibility for their health.
Think critically and creatively to deal with the health care problems of communities, families and individuals.
Demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to do research appropriate to the needs of the community.
Committed to the prevention and to the management of illness and understan health care problems in their biological, psychological and socio-economic context.
Be self-directed and lifelong learners who are able to adapt to changing circumstances in South Africa, keep up with developments in their profession and have the necessary motivation and background to acquire relevant specialized qualifications to fulfil the needs of the country and to advance their own careers.
Exhibit high levels of ethical and administrative insight, skills and integrity.
Show commitment ted to the person rather than to the disease.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria:

Essential Knowledge:

Basic sciences as a foundation for clinical medicine.
Psychological, social, environmental, spiritual, and cultural factors contributing to illness.
Principles of health promotion and disease prevention.
Clinical reasoning process leading to problem solving.
Patho-physiology of common clinical problems.
Comprehensive assessment based on illness and disease.
Comprehensive and shared management plan.
Management of presenting and ongoing chronic problems.
Modification of help-seeking behavior.
Opportunistic health promotion.
Rational therapeutics principles.
Rational use and ordering of investigations.
Common healthcare problems.
Healthcare problems in primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
Epidemiology and biostatistics.
Health service management and administration.
Ethical issues in medical practice.

Essential Skills:

Communication skills: language, computer, interviewing, writing, referral, teamwork.
Clinical skills: history taking, physical examination, mental state assessment, side room tests, interpretation of findings.
Formulation of a comprehensive management plan.
Counselling skills, including HIV/AIDS counselling.
Sensitivity to patients' feelings, thoughts, and expectations.
Active listening with empathy.
Building trust and negotiating agreements.
Respecting cultural diversity and patients' beliefs.
Positive approach to primary healthcare and community-based education.
Understanding medical ethics and code of conduct.
Health as a human right.
Doctor's responsibilities towards colleagues and others.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative and summative assessment with emphasis on formative.
OSPE/OSCE, MEQ, and IPA for summative assessment.
Problem-Based Learning and Community-Based Education Curriculum.
Integrated examination at the end of each phase.
Multiple disciplines examined simultaneously.
Emphasis on real-world application of knowledge and skills.

Qualification Details

Type: National First Degree(Min 480)
NQF Level: 08
Min. Credits: 600
SAQA Source: More Information

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Walter Sisulu University

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Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a comprehensive university located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of three institutions: the University of Transkei, the Eastern Cape Technikon, and the Border Technikon. WSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and humanities, business and management sciences, education, health sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The university is committed to providing quality education and promoting social justice, equity, and sustainable development. WSU has multiple campuses spread across different regions of the Eastern Cape, including Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City (East London), and Queenstown. Each campus offers a unique learning environment and facilities to cater to the diverse needs of students. The university is named after Walter Sisulu, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC). It aims to honor his legacy by fostering a culture of activism, social responsibility, and community engagement among its students and staff. Overall, Walter Sisulu University strives to be a leading institution of higher learning in South Africa, providing accessible and relevant education to empower individuals and contribute to the development of the Eastern Cape region and the country as a whole.

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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.