MASTER OF MEDICINE IN PLASTIC, RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY (MMed PRAS)

Background

The training program in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery is geared towards provision of comprehensive education in basic sciences and acquisition of practical clinical skills and theoretical knowledge. It provides cognitive, technical, communication, research professionalism and leadership skills required in order to excel as a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon.  All residents in this program receive extensive training in preoperative evaluation in the clinic and hospital settings, intraoperative technique, postoperative, critical care management, and follow up care of the patients.  Residents rotate through several units within Kenyatta National Hospital and other carefully selected hospitals, allowing for diversity, breadth and depth of training. During this period of training, the residents are taught, supervised and eventually evaluated by designated faculty. Operative and non-operative patient care training is provided with appropriate levels of supervision by faculty members to promote progressive autonomy of trainees that is consistent with University policy. The supervising faculty encourage progressive autonomy of trainees that is in line with the University policy. They also assess the knowledge and skills of each resident and delegate to him or her appropriate level of patient care authority and responsibility based on the residents ability and skills. Assessment of residents in patient care is guided by competency required and generally accepted standards in the training of a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon.

 Philosophy

The teaching philosophy will be based on principles of adult learning with greater involvement of the residents, understanding their needs and meeting the needs in a learner-centred approach. The goal is to produce a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with sufficient knowledge and skills in the foundation of surgery and management of emergency surgical conditions. He should be able to work independently and provide high quality plastic and reconstructive services in the community he lives and works in. The plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is a product of this program should have the ability to translate research findings to clinical practice.

 Rationale

The current challenges in new disease patterns, demographic and epidemiological transitions has made it necessary for the curriculum to be reviewed at regular intervals so as to produce a well equipped all round graduate with competencies to patient and population needs, a good team player with broad technical focus and understanding in the profession of plastic and reconstructive surgery that will enable him fit in the current labour market and at the same time be able provide strong leadership to improve health system performance. The goal of training in plastic and reconstructive surgery is to produce a surgeon who is capable of practicing independently, providing high surgical quality care while meeting the surgical needs of the community at large. This process entails building anatomic and pathophysiologic knowledge that is required to understand disease processes while at the same time the trainee acquires both cognitive and technical skills needed to correct the pathology and when to apply them. During this training, the residents are afforded graduated progressive autonomy as they transition to become independent providers of safe and high-quality surgical care. Acquisition of clinical skills and making accurate judgement requires deliberate working and documented man-hours of practice in the surgical training. The Masters of Medicine in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery curriculum is based on these tenets and principles which will produce surgeons with the necessary skills and competencies that will cope with the ever evolving global challenges in the practice of surgical medicine. The program is therefore very well grounded, highly competitive and marketable to be able to compete with other international recognised programs in the best of centres in the world. This curriculum will allow for intercalation for one year after completing the first three years for either Master of Philosophy (MD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for two years in any aspect of the subject already handled that include basic sciences or clinical areas. This is in recognition of the fact that in spite of acquisition of a professional Degree, the practitioners need to do research and create knowledge that will assist in Improving the work in the field of plastic, reconstructive and

aesthetic surgery.

 Goal of the programme

• The goal of this programme is to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, develop confidence and skills in the application of principles of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in the management of surgical patients.
• This programme aims to encourage the acquisition of general surgery skills that would enable participants to apply the skills of critical analysis, interpretation and discussion of information and data relating to plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
• The objective of the program is to produce qualified surgeon with knowledge, skills and attitudes which will enable them to function effectively as plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons

Expected Learning Outcome

The objective of the program is to produce a qualified plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon with the knowledge, skills and attitude which will enable them to function and practice effectively in their field of training. The expected areas of competent practice include;

• Replacement of lost body tissues, deformities resulting from trauma, radical surgery, inborn malformations and improvement of physical cosmetic appearance of an individual.
• Have basic foundations of surgery and management of emergency surgical conditions.
• Have sufficient knowledge and skills in management of disease conditions requiring plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• Essential capability in orthopaedic surgery, general surgery, paediatric surgery and maxillofacial surgery.
• Be knowledgeable, skilful and compassionate with a sound orientation towards the community and have ability to translate research findings into clinical practice.