Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose: The purpose of this qualification is to develop a graduate competent in the knowledge, attitudes, insight, and skills required for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The qualifying graduate will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures, and appropriate skills. The qualification aims to produce a well-rounded graduate capable of practicing as a clinician, developing and managing a clinic or laboratory, or providing services as a private practitioner. The graduate will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and advancing the profession.
Rationale: The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a specialization in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics (BSc: MOP) is designed to address the need for qualified medical orthotists and prosthetists, as identified by the Provincial Department of Health. The institution was approached to provide this qualification to help meet the high demand for orthotic and prosthetic services regionally and nationally. Additionally, the scarcity of training providers offering this qualification in the country underscores the necessity for this program. The BSc: MOP promotes best practices through a multidisciplinary approach that cultivates skills essential for making meaningful contributions to the evolving health promotion and healthcare landscape.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate effective communication and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which medical orthotic and prosthetic practitioners operate while maintaining personal health, wellness and safety.
- Independently assess, prescribe, practice, supervise, evaluate and facilitate the provision of medical orthotic and prosthetic care to the community, utilising specialised strategies and technologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa and provide operational and clinical supervision within an orthotic and prosthetic environment.
- Become a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner within the medical orthotic and prosthetic profession and changing health care environments. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: Organising and managing self and own activities responsibly and effectively is demonstrated in the provision of optimal clinical care to patients. Information is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated for the assessment and treatment of patients. Effective communicating using visual and language skills orally or in writing is demonstrated through the successful treatment or handover of patients for other services. Understanding the world as a set of related systems is indicated in the cultural sensitivity applied when dealing with patients, colleagues and communities. Team work is demonstrated in the effective working with others as a team and in the context of providing services effectively or moving knowledge forward. Identifying and solving problems are demonstrated in the critical and creative thinking used in patient care and operational matters. Utilising science and technology is clearly indicated in the effective use of technology whilst simultaneously showing protection of the environment and others. The need for continuous professional development and lifelong learning is demonstrated by the awareness of the transformative nature of the health care system.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Professional carriage, behaviour, and attitudes are demonstrated in all academic and clinical settings.
- Optimal expertise and critical knowledge in fundamental and core modules are demonstrated.
- Intellectual and clinical independence while ensuring safety of self and others is demonstrated.
- Awareness of the consequences of own decisions and actions is demonstrated.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Knowledge and understanding of human and basic sciences underpinning medical orthotic and prosthetic care is demonstrated.
- Techniques, processes, systems, or technologies are applied and transferred in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialized and complex contexts within the health sciences environment.
- Specialist knowledge and theory are applied in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems within the Health Sciences environment.
- In-service education and training is provided in medical orthotic and prosthetic care.
- Independent, specialised orthotic and prosthetic services are provided to all appropriate sectors of the community.
- Management, education, and research skills are applied during independent practice.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Understanding of the position of medical orthotics and prosthetics within the South African Health care system is shown.
- Understanding of the management, structure, and function of medical orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa is demonstrated.
- Operational and clinical supervision within a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment is provided.
- Skills and a capacity for quality assurance in a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment are demonstrated.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Research skills are developed and research in medical orthotics and prosthetics in a multidisciplinary health care environment is conducted.
- Knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of the field are demonstrated.
- New research initiatives are conceptualized and new knowledge or practice in medical orthotics and prosthetics is created.
- Research leadership and management of research and research development are demonstrated in an ethical and accountable manner in Health Sciences.
Integrated Assessment:
- Student assessment includes both formative and summative assessment.
- Formative assessment is continuous and focuses on ensuring adequate levels of competencies in critical knowledge, behaviors, and skills.
- The clinical assessment of competencies allows for an integrated approach not only to learning but also assessment.
- Assessment in the multidisciplinary training center also allows an integrated approach to patient care and will be assessed as such.
- Summative assessment is made from written examinations, clinical skills' assessments, and the production of a research project.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 512
- 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.