Regulations for the Master of Medicine Degree (MMED) in Family Medicine

Preamble

These regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Academic Regulations   for Postgraduate Degrees. The MMED Degree in Family Medicine is offered by the Faculty of Medicine.

Duration of the Programme

The duration of the programme shall be 4 years (48 months full-time study) and shall take place in district, provincial and central hospitals.

Entry Requirements

Candidates for the MMED Degree in Family Medicine programme may be accepted if they satisfy the General Academic Regulations for acceptance to NUST and in addition:

• Should hold an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent
• Should have completed a General Medical Experience (GME) post internship programme
• Should have a current registration and practicing certificate with the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ).

 Short-listed candidates for admission to the MMED Degree in Family Medicine programme may be interviewed as part of the selection process.

Examination and Assessment of Candidates

Normally assessment and evaluation shall be based on continuous assessment (CA), dissertation, written, clinical and oral examinations.

Continuous Assessment 40%

Continuous assessment (CA) will contribute 40% of the overall mark for each clinical module. To be eligible for examinations, a student will be required to have a minimum continuous assessment score of 50%.

The academic modules (9)

The nine academic online modules covered during year 1-4 are marked by coursework. (100%)

Year 1-3 Examinations (60%)

Each end of year examination shall comprise of written multiple choice question papers for each of the clinical modules covered during that year. The final mark for each clinical module will comprise 60% from the written examination paper and 40% continuous assessment. The pass mark for the written component for each clinical module is at least 40%.

Final Examination (YEAR 4)

The examinations shall be composed of the following components: written, clinical and oral. 

The final examinations shall comprise of the following written papers: a multiple choice question (MCQ) paper 1 for 3 hours, and a critical appraisal of a given article (Paper 2) for 3 hours. The candidate will be required to pass the written examination with a minimum overall mark of 50 % in order to proceed to the clinical and oral examinations. The clinical examination shall comprise of an OSCE with patient consultation stations and procedural stations. The oral examination shall be comprised of short answer questions for 45 minutes. The minimum acceptable score for each of these written, clinical and oral components shall be 50%.

Dissertation (100%)

The assessment of the dissertation shall be based on the dissertation report. The project report shall constitute 100% of the marks for the dissertation.

Examinations and Marking Scheme

• General Academic Regulations for postgraduate degrees shall apply.
• Formal examinations shall be conducted at the end of each year for all the relevant courses.
• Each candidate will be required to pass all the components of the examinations for the final examination (written, clinical and oral).
• Supplementary examinations will be allowed in accordance with the provisions of the General Academic Regulations.

Failure to satisfy the Examiners:

• A candidate who has fails to satisfy the examiners may, on the recommendation of Senate, be permitted to sit for supplementary examinations in not more than 50% courses attempted.
• A candidate who fails more than 50% of the courses may, on the recommendation of the senate be granted permission to repeat the failed courses.
• A candidate who fails any of the clinical modules with a mark below the supplementable mark of 40% shall be required to repeat that module and will not be allowed to proceed to the subsequent part of the programme.
• A candidate who is not allowed to proceed to the subsequent part of the programme and has failed the same part of the programme twice will be required to withdraw from the programme.
• All supplemented courses shall be awarded a maximum pass grade of 50%.

Marking Scheme and Degree Classification:

The following marking scheme shall be adopted:

80% and above     -      Distinction

70% -79%            -       Merit  

50% -69%            -        Pass

Below 50%           -       Fail

40 – 49%                       Supplementable

Award of Degree

Candidates must pass all the courses constituting the programme including the dissertation in order to be awarded the MMED Degree in Family Medicine.  

Teaching and Learning Approaches /Startegies

These are based on principles of self-directed adult learning and include tutorials, problem-based learning, group discussions, critical appraisal, professional supervision, mentoring and guidance, e-learning and distance learning including web-based modules backed up by CDs and DVDs. A diverse range of educators will be involved in teaching the trainees, including patients as educators and relevant health professionals from all specialities at district, province and referral health service levels, coordinated from the NUST Faculty of Medicine. Public and private sector family physicians will be partners at the centre of the training program. International partnerships will contribute towards exchange visits, sharing of educational materials and visiting lectureships.