info for hs students

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• Audiology: (Westville Campus)

  

  An audiologist is a health care professional who specializes in identifying, assessing, and preventing hearing impairment. Audiologists have extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults, infants and children of all ages. They work with patients as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, to identify, assess and manage hearing, balance and other ear-related disorders. The causes of hearing disorders can range from exposure to loud noise, viral infections, trauma at birth, aging, certain medication, or genetic disorders.

   

  The purpose of the programme is to provide South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal in particular, with skilled audiologists, to ensure effective, efficient and accessible hearing health care service delivery in the public and private sectors, e.g. hospitals, special schools, industry and private practice. The service delivery includes hearing assessments (from infants to the elderly), specialized diagnostic testing, the fitting of hearing aids, hearing conservation programmes in industry, and therapy with hearing impaired children and adults. This is a four year programme.

• Biokinetics (Westville Campus)

  

  Biokinetics is a profession concerned with health promotion, maintenance of physical function and final phase rehabilitation,by means of scientifically-based physical activity and exercise prescription. Biokineticists are clinical exercise specialists who use exercise as a preventive and therapeutic modality in managing musculoskeletal, metabolic, chronic and hypokinetic disease conditions which are due to injury and a sedentary lifestyle. Biokinetics is a post-graduate specialization of Sport Science and is equivalent to a four year program of study.

• Dental Therapy: (Westville Campus)

  

  Dental Therapists function as mid-level workers within the oral health team.  Students qualifying with the Bachelor of Dental Therapy degree can work in the public sector as well as in private practice, and can perform all functions within the scope of primary and secondary levels of prevention in Dentistry.  Dental Therapists do extractions, fillings, scaling and polishing, dental X-rays, local anaesthesia and health education and promotion. 

    

  In the first year, students are trained in pre-clinical courses that equip them to work on patients. In the second year, they learn basic clinical skills and patient care at the Oral and Dental Training Hospital.  In the third year of study, students spend most of their time working on patients in the different clinical disciplines of Dentistry which is within the scope of Dental Therapy. This is a three year programme.

• Medical Science (Anatomy): (Westville Campus)

  

  The purpose of this degree is to train students in the basic knowledge of how the body is structured (Anatomy) and how it functions (Physiology). It also introduces students to an understanding of how living cells function. The degree therefore arms the student with the foundation knowledge of the macro- and micro-structure and function of the human body.
  
  Once qualified with this basic knowledge, students are able to progress by training in the scientific way of doing research in three of the basic sciences of medicine (Physiology, Anatomy or Biochemistry) through studying for an Honours postgraduate degree.
  
  One may choose to continue studying as a postgraduate student or to venture out into the world of work. Career opportunities that exist are limited to academic institutions where one may become a lecturer and or a researcher in universities, technikons, and government research bodies such as the Medical Research Council or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Opportunities also exist in private research institutions such as drug companies, research companies, pathology laboratories etc.

  The degree in Medical Science (Anatomy) is not a degree that trains one to qualify as a doctor of medicine but as a scientist that undertakes research into the basic knowledge of all the health professional fields. This is a three year degree.

   

• Medical Science (Physiology): (Westville Campus)

  

  This 3 year degree programme provides students with a detailed understanding of the function of the human body at sub-cellular, cellular and systemic level. In the first year of study, students do a curriculum common to all biological sciences which enables them to choose many different electives in years 2 and 3, in addition to the Physiology major.

   

  The programme is thus a multi-disciplinary programme and students have the option of doing a major in various other disciplines in addition to Physiology .As a result, the programme provides students with a foundation to progress to many postgraduate career paths in the medical and biomedical research fields. A physiologist is equipped with skills to work in the multi-disciplinary medical and biomedical research industry, police forensic services, and secondary and tertiary education sectors.

   

  The undergraduate programme leads into the Honours Programme in Physiology, where students are equipped with modern research skills, further enhancing their employment prospects.

• Medicine

  

  Since its inception in 1950, the Medical School has committed itself to producing highly qualified and experienced medical practitioners dedicated to improving the quality of life of South Africans. The MBChB programme at the School of Clinical Medicine achieves this using a mix of problem-based learning, didactic lectures, clinical bedside teaching, rural attachments and research electives. The course is planned to ensure a high standard of education and training by stimulating and encouraging self directed learning.

   

  Few fields offer a wider a variety of career opportunities than the MBChB course. Doctors' professional lives are filled with caring for people and continuously learning more about the human body. Academic physicians share their skills and wisdom by teaching medical students and registrars. Others work with health maintenance organizations, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, health insurance companies, or in corporations directing health and safety programs. People with medical skills are in demand everywhere. Medical scientists are at the cutting edge of research. Medical researchers are at work today developing exciting new treatments for cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases like AIDS. The School of Clinical Medicine is at the forefront of scientific endeavour and offers graduates exciting opportunities.

   

  About one-third of the nation's doctors are general practitioners (GPs) who provide lifelong medical services for the entire family. They are the first doctors people consult for medical care and provide a wide range of services to the community. When patients' require more advanced care, GPs refer them to specialists in the respective fields.
  

  Medical specialists differ from GPs in that they undergo a minimum of 4 years additional training in which they focus on treating a particular system or part of the body. Neurologists who study the brain, cardiologists who study the heart, ophthalmologists who study the eye, and haematologists who study the blood are just a few examples of specialists. They work together with GPs to ensure that patients receive treatment for specific medical problems as well as complete and comprehensive care throughout life.

   

  The Faculty offers a six year course leading to the registerable basic medical qualification, the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). After meeting the requirements prescribed by Health Professions Council of South Africa, medical graduates of the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal will be entitled to register as Medical Practitioners in terms of the Medical Dental and supplementary Health Service Professions Act 1974(Act 56 of 1974).

• Nursing (Howard College Campus)

  

  Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress in patients; assist physicians during surgery, treatment, and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation.

   

  The Bachelor of Nursing is a four-year, problem-based, community health-oriented programme which leads to registration as a general nurse, mental health nurse, community health nurse and midwife.

   

• Occupational Therapy: (Westville Campus)

  

  Occupational therapy is a person-centred profession that utilizes human potential to enable and empower people who are impaired or at risk of impairment, to be able to engage in the occupations of daily life. Occupational therapy uses human occupation as a modality to promote health and well-being and to address problems that may arise as a result of illness, physical or psychological impairment and disability or adverse social conditions and which may negatively impact on a person’s ability to function independently.

   

  Occupational Therapists work with individuals suffering from developmental, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities or those at risk of developing these types of disabilities.  Clients work together with occupational therapists to improve reasoning and motor skills and learn how to function more competently in spite of permanent disabilities.

   

  Graduates are competent to work on a national and global level. To practice internationally, most countries require an entrance examination. The qualification, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, allows the graduate professional to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Occupational Therapist. This is a four year programme.

• Optometry: (Westville Campus)

  

  Optometrists are able to detect vision problems and eye diseases by performing a comprehensive visual examination which includes testing colour perception, depth perception, focusing and co-ordination ability, and fundoscopy. They prescribe optical devices such as spectacles, contact lenses and other visual assistive devices(such as low vision devices) to help treat vision problems.  Optometrist’s management strategy may also include specialized treatment and therapies. The multidisciplinary involvement includes caring for patients before and after surgery such as laser vision correction and cataract removal.

   

  Optometrists refer patients to other health professionals to ensure a holistic management of their patients. An optometrist can practice in the public or private sector, be actively involved in research, or lecture at an academic institution. This is a four year programme.

• Oral Health (Westville Campus)

  

  Oral Hygienists function as mid-level workers within the oral health team.  Oral Hygiene is a dynamic, patient-orientated profession where the hygienist is committed to meeting the health education and prevention needs of the community.  The hygienist works within the private and public sector, with an emphasis on health education and promotion.

   

  Hygienists do scaling and polishing, dental X-rays, temporary fillings, local anaesthesia, dental impressions, with an emphasis on patients with special needs. They also provide specialized care to patients in orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and other dental specialities.

   

  In the first year, students are trained in pre-clinical courses that equip them to work on patients. In the second year, students learn clinical skills and patient care at the Oral and Dental Training Hospital, where they spend most of their time working on patients in the different clinical disciplines of Dentistry within the scope of Oral Hygiene. This is a two year diploma.

• Pharmacy: (Westville Campus)

  

  Pharmacy is a dynamic, information driven, product and patient-orientated profession, committed to meeting the health care needs of all health seeking communities.  The BPharm degree is a four year programme that focuses on theory and experiential training.  Graduates are required to do one year of internship followed by a compulsory community service year, before registration with the South African Pharmacy Council as a pharmacist.

   

  The pharmacist, through inculcated competence and skills during the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and the Pharmacy internship, is committed to meeting the health care needs of all health seeking communities by being the:

  • custodian of medicines;
  • formulator, manufacturer, distributor and controller of safe, effective and quality medicine;
  • advisor on the safe, rational and appropriate use of medicine;
  • provider of essential clinical services including screening and referral services;
  • provider of health care education and information;
  • provider of pharmaceutical care by taking responsibility for the outcome of therapy and by being actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of pharmaceutical plans;
  • provider of cost-effective and efficient pharmaceutical services. (South African Pharmacy Council)

  Qualified pharmacists can work in the public as well as the private sector. They can work in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, government departments, in non-government organisatons, with pharmaceutical industry and with the health insurance sector.

• Physiotherapy: (Westville Campus)

   

  Physiotherapy is a four year programme with national relevance and international recognition.. The discipline has extensive access to clinical training facilities for general, specialized, and community Physiotherapy practice.  To foster and enhance research the department has a research laboratory allowing for basic and clinical research in neuromuscular, general, and cardiopulmonary areas of Physiotherapy ..

   

  Physiotherapists work with patients having conditions such as arthritis, cerebral palsy, back pain, fractures, heart disease, head injuries and various accident related injuries. Modalities used help to relieve pain, increase mobility, re-establish use of the affected area, and to decrease long-term physical disabilities. After reviewing a patient’s medical history, physiotherapists observe the patient’s posture, strength, motor function, breathing ability, co-ordination, and balance. Treatment plans are then implemented to treat the patient’s specific condition. Physiotherapists also assess the patient’s capability to function independently in the workplace or community and promote overall health and wellness in patients.   This is achieved by various modalities with exercise therapy which assists patients to improve their endurance, flexibility and strength.  . After those improvements are made, patients begin to work on co-ordination, strength, endurance, and balance to help them gain independence.

• Speech-Language Pathology: (Westville Campus)

  

  Speech-Language Pathology is a health care profession which aims to improve the quality of life of  people who have or who are at risk of developing communication and feeding disorders.  It is closely related to the fields of audiology, medicine, education and psychology.

   

  The Speech-Language Therapist is a professional who can identify, assess and manage people who have: Speech problems (difficulties in pronunciation, lisping and stuttering); Language problems (difficulty understanding and using language to communicate); Language learning problems (such as difficulties with reading and writing); Voice problems (such as a “hoarse voice” or due to cancer of the throat); Feeding and swallowing problems (restricted movement or hypersensitivity during feeding). 

   

  Services are offered to children and adults who have conditions such as cerebral palsy, cleft palate, autism, Down’s Syndrome, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment, stroke and head injury.  Speech-Language Therapists can also screen the hearing of children and adults and provide rehabilitative services.

   

  The Bachelor of Communication Pathology (Speech-Language Pathology) is a four-year programme that focuses on theory and clinical practice. In the fourth year students also do research  and submit a mini dissertation. Graduates are required to do one year of compulsory community service upon completion of the programme. 

• Sport Science: (Westville Campus)

  

  This programme aims to provide students with a greater understanding of the physiology and scientific basis for human performance in training, competition and recovery from sport and exercise. It also provides students with skills for recreation and leisure management to further their careers in a diverse environment which includes the health and fitness industry, sports coaching, education and training, working with various disabilities, the enhancement of sport performance and the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.

   

  A sports scientist is concerned with supporting athletes and sports clubs. Sports Scientists aim to improve health, prevent illness and help recovery from illness through programmes of physical activity and leisure time activities. Sports Science has become more important as the link between physical activity and health is increasingly recognized. Athletes in most sports also see the application of Sports Science as an important part of their training.

   

  The three-year programme provides opportunities for graduates in the field of personal training, sports coaching, management of Health and Wellness Centres, medical representatives for pharmaceutical companies and recreation personnel in the private and public sectors. The undergraduate Bachelor of Sports Science degree acts as a feeder into the Honours programme with specialization in Biokinetics, Exercise Science and Leisure Studies.

• Contact Details

  Mr Viren Singh
  Health Sciences
  Tel: +27 31 2607933
  E-mail: singhvr@ukzn.ac.za

   

  Ms Deliwe Zikalala

  Medicine

  Tel: +27 31 2604377

  E-mail: Zikalad@ukzn.ac.za