A curriculum for clinical forensic medicine in the undergraduate medical programme, University of the Free State
Loading...
Date
2017-12
Authors
Fouche, Lemaine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The aim of this study was to propose a revised curriculum in clinical forensic medicine (CFM) for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State. This study was based on the experience and opinions of community service doctors who had graduated from this university. A thorough literature study was done on national and international curricula and practices, and reference was made to the researcher's own experience. The recommendations generated by this study can serve as a directive for programme directors of MBChB programmes at other training institutions.
The aim of first chapter was to orient the reader regarding the study in relation to the research problem, research questions, the overall goal, aim and objectives. A brief overview of the research design and methods of investigation was presented, after which the ethical considerations, the research paradigm, research design, methodology and methods were discussed. The following three chapters were written in interrelated article format, which had to adhere to requirements for peer-reviewed articles to specific journal submission requirements. The content of these articles were extrapolated from the findings of a survey by using a questionnaire as research instrument.
The findings reveal that some community service doctors lack the required competence to assess and document medico-legal cases relating to rape/sexual assault, physical assault and inebriated drivers. The findings, presented in the form of articles, were peer reviewed and have been published in the journal, South African Family Practice.
In the next chapter the researcher proposed a revised curriculum framework for CFM in the undergraduate medical training programme of the University of the Free State, based on the findings of this study on the experiences and practice of CFM by community service doctors. The framework needs to be refined further to the complete curriculum.
In developing a curriculum for CFM it is important to specify what CFM entails. The requirements of the judicial system also need to be accommodated, as it has to be
Description
Keywords
Knowledge, Skills, Confidence, Community service doctors, Research, Undergraduate curriculum, MBChB programme, Thesis (Ph.D. (Health Sciences Education))--University of the Free State, 2017