Bachelor of Medicine in Clinical Practice
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Degree: Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Associate Practice
Purpose:
The general purpose of this three-year Bachelor's Degree is to train a competent, professional health care team member with the necessary knowledge and attitudes to function effectively as a Clinical Associate (CA) to assist doctors working in district hospitals. The Clinical Associate will work under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner, performing a large variety of clinical procedures as indicated. Supervision must be continuous but should not to be construed as necessarily requiring the physical presence of the supervising doctor at the time and place that the services are rendered. This will serve to improve communication and education of the patient and enable medical practitioners to provide comprehensive medical services.
Scope of Practice:
Medical services provided by the clinical associate may include, but are not limited to:
- Obtaining patient histories and performing physical examinations.
- Ordering and/or performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
- Interpreting findings and formulating a diagnosis for common and emergency conditions.
- Developing and implementing a treatment plan.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
- Assisting at surgery.
- Offering counselling and education to meet patient needs.
- Making appropriate referrals.
The Clinical Associate's scope of practice is defined by the context and requirements of district hospitals with particular focus on:
- Emergency Care.
- Skilled Procedures.
- Inpatient Care.
Rationale:
The mid-level medical worker cadre is part of the Department of Health's Resource Plan in South Africa. This Bachelor's Degree aims to fill the gap that exists in district hospitals where a large proportion of the clinical work of doctors is related to emergency care, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and in-patient care. The Clinical Associate will work under the supervision of a doctor to assist with various tasks and procedures, thus contributing to the overall quality of health care in these settings.
The training of the Clinical Associate is designed to provide access to training to individuals from marginalized communities in South Africa, especially in rural areas and informal peri-urban communities. The successful completion of the qualification will enable the learner to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and practice as a Clinical Associate.
Overall, this Degree creates a new career opportunity within the health care team and is essential in addressing the shortage of doctors in rural hospitals while providing quality health care services to all individuals.
Outcomes
- Perform a patient-centred consultation across all ages in a district hospital.
- Apply clinical reasoning in the assessment and management of patients.
- Perform investigative and therapeutic procedures appropriate for a district hospital.
- Prescribe appropriate medication within their scope of practice.
- Provide emergency care.
- Facilitate communication and provide basic counselling.
- Function as an effective member of the health care team.
- Produce and maintain clinical records.
- Function as an ethical practitioner.
- Demonstrate ongoing learning in clinical practice.
- Integrate an understanding of family, community and health system in practice. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: The Exit Level Outcomes and the associated assessment criteria listed, are consistent with the following Critical Cross-field outcomes: Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking. > Exit Level Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and
- Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community. > Exit Level Outcomes: 2, 6, 7, 9 and
- Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. > Exit Level Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and
- Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations. > Exit Level Outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and
- Demonstrate cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in dealing with patients, colleagues and communities. > Exit Level Outcomes: 2, 6, 7, 9 and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. > Exit Level Outcomes: 2, 7, 9 and
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviour. > Exit Level Outcome:
- Lay the foundation for life-long learning and ongoing competency. > Exit Level Outcomes: 2 and 10.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify patient's needs and problems through effective listening
- Take a relevant history
- Perform an accurate and relevant physical examination
- Use diagnostic tools effectively
- Ensure continuity of care by making arrangements for follow-up
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Identify high-risk situations and conditions in patients
- Take appropriate action in a timely manner
- Make hypotheses (differential diagnoses) based on information obtained
- Collaborate with the patient in all aspects of the consultation
- Contextualise assessment within the bio-psycho-social model
- Develop a management plan based on assessment
- Review assessment and management plan on an ongoing basis
- Interpret results of special investigations in common conditions
- Consider cost-effectiveness in assessment and management decisions
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Explain procedures in lay and medical terms
- List indications and contra-indications for specific procedures
- Demonstrate the ability to prepare for a procedure
- Competently demonstrate procedures
- Explain possible complications of procedures
- Explain follow-up and safety-netting following procedures
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Demonstrate knowledge in basic pharmacology
- Apply knowledge of standard treatment guidelines and drugs in the Essential Drug List
- Write prescriptions correctly
- Explain prescriptions to patients
- Consider history of various drug uses
- Demonstrate knowledge of non-pharmacological therapies
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills to administer and dispense medication
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify and evaluate potentially life-threatening conditions
- Manage emergency conditions appropriately
- Refer patients as needed
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Identify patient's needs through effective listening
- Share health information in appropriate cultural and language terms
- Demonstrate basic counselling skills
- Explore appropriate solutions
- Provide continual support and follow-up
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Demonstrate understanding of roles and relationships within the hospital team
- Communicate clinical information clearly and concisely
- Appropriately hand over patient reports to colleagues
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Accurately and legibly reflect relevant information in patient records and medico-legal forms
- Appropriately answer and complete patient referral letters
- Accurately complete patient statistics
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Explain the role and function of a clinical associate to the patient
- Apply basic ethical principles
- Apply Batho Pele principles
- Recognize and manage ethical problems appropriately
- Demonstrate appropriate attitudes towards patients, families, colleagues, and communities
- Demonstrate reliability in work situations
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Identify professional strengths and weaknesses through reflection
- Continually improve clinical practice through self-directed learning
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
- Assess and manage each patient within the context of their family and community
- Draw up eco-map and genogram for families when appropriate
- Demonstrate knowledge of the local district health system
- Demonstrate awareness and involvement in community-oriented primary care
- Understand and participate in quality improvement activities
- Understand and apply principles and practice of comprehensive primary health care
Integrated Assessment:
- Use a range of formative and summative assessment methods
- Include theory and practical skills evaluation
- Methods include written assignments, tests, practical exams, oral exams, and portfolio review
- Candidates will undergo a national examination set by FAMEC
These criteria outline the expectations for achieving the Exit Level Outcomes in a clinical associate program.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 416
- SAQA Source
- More Information
Education Cost Calculator
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.