1. The first target group are South African doctors who have not had access to a formal specialist registrar rotation in Emergency Medicine. This degree is offered internationally, which provides the opportunity for South African doctors anywhere to further their careers in Emergency Medicine.
2. The second target group are foreign nationals who have not had access to a formal specialist registrar rotation in Emergency Medicine in their home countries. The MPhil.EM degree may be utilised to demonstrate academic competence, when a candidate applies to his/ her own Health Board. Foreign nationals interested in this course should refer to the Emergency Medicine Foreign Information Brochure

The MPhil degree is not regarded as basis for registration as a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, but can indeed be registered as an additional qualification.

1. M.Phil core curriculum
2. Environment Accreditation of Emergency Center
3. The coursework logbook

The requirement to register for the MPhil.EM is registration as a medical practitioner with the HPCSA. Although there are no other entry requirements, it is advisable to have completed the ACLS, ATLS, and APLS/PALS before attempting the examinations. The University allows a maximum of five years to finish the degree. You may not be able to register again after this time.

An environment accreditation form (form 2, see end of page) must be completed in the first instance and approved before registration can commence. Three aspects are considered when accrediting the emergency environment in which the course work is done:

1. A minimum of 800 patients per month must be seen in the emergency unit/EMS system in which the student works
2. The patient profile presented to this emergency environment must include trauma and medical emergencies, in both adults and children
3. A clinical supervisor must have regular clinical contact with the student throughout the two years. The clinical supervisor does not need to be an Emergency Physician but should be a specialist in a discipline closely allied to Emergency Medicine or the candidate’s dissertation project.

Do note that accreditation is only required where candidates will not be completing their coursework through structured programmed blocks within the division. Structured programmed blocks are only available to foreign students (refer to the Emergency Medicine Foreign Information Brochure)

Dr Stevan Bruijns (MBChB DipPEC M.Phil.EM)
Tel: +44-1752-766305

The philosophy of this division with respect to training is both informal and enabling; there are no rigid rules for the conduct of day-to-day activities – an ethical, mature and responsible approach on the part of the trainee, as an independent medical practitioner, is assumed as a given. Whilst supervisors should always be available for advice or direct assistance, initiative and inquiry, rather than the burden of didactic teaching is expected.

There are three parts to the degree:

1. Course work component (33.3% of assessment)
   

   The primary recommended text is:

   ROSEN, BARKIN, EMERGENCY MEDICINE – CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE, 6th edition, 2006

   Course work will require a minimum of two years full-time practice in an accredited emergency environment under the supervision of an approved clinical supervisor. Assessment includes; history taking, clinical acumen, patient management, case presentations, and emergency unit/EMS management.

   A logbook facilitates the recording of procedures and documentation of the course work. Clinical evaluation forms are to be completed by clinical supervisors annually (or at the end of each block should a candidate be rotating through structured programmed blocks within the division). The logbook should be returned to Mrs. A. Winckler of the Health Sciences Faculty office, by 15 March for June graduation, and 15 August for December graduation. The logbook will be returned to the candidate afterwards.



2. Examinations ( 33.3% of assessment)
   The MPhil.EM exit exam is held at Groote Schuur Hospital twice a year and is essentially the same as the MMed.EM exit exam. It is recommended that candidates write the examinations at the end of the two years course work, and that a third year is dedicated to the dissertation. It is however acceptable to write the examinations at any time. To assist candidates with the practical part of the exam, the division offers preparation sessions preceding each exam. Please notify Dr. Stevan Bruijns, MPhil.EM coordinator, should you wish to participate in an exit exam. You’ll then automatically be included in all correspondence regarding the practical preparation sessions.


3. Dissertation (33.3% of assessment)
   Click here for more detail on dissertation requirements.