The Components Of The South African Medical Degree

How is the medical degree divided up

There's a slight difference in the format of this degree among the different medical schools.

In general, the first 2 years of the medical degree are theoretical and most of the time is spent in the lecture halls. The classes cover subjects in statistics, sociology, basic sciences and academic writing. There is also an introduction to pharmacology and pathology in the course of the first year. In the second year, organic systems are introduced where the focus lies on each one's physiology and anatomy.

During the second year, there is an introduction to cadavers where they are dissected in order to aid with knowledge in anatomy. There are also histology practicals so that tissue is evaluated on the cellular level.

From the 3rd year, medical students are exposed to being taught about and performing clinical skills in a practical lab. This is the perfect opportunity to practice intramuscular injecting, taking blood pressures and putting up intravenous lines on plastic models, and even each other, before patients are expected to let medical students perform these procedures on them.

The clinical years

As mentioned, practical skills are taught at the skills lab. You will start rotating through different disciplines at the hospitals and clinics in order to consolidate your theoretical knowledge and improve on your practical skills.

The main rotations that are covered in the 3rd year are Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Family Medicine and Trauma.

From the 4th up to the first semester of the 5th year you will continue with the mentioned rotations, and some others will be added that include Gynaecology, Neonatology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Radiology and Forensic Pathology.

From the middle of the 5th year to the end of the 6th year you are regarded as a 'student intern' and you should start preparing yourself to be a doctor who will be responsible for someone's life. Theory is still being taught at this stage but there are many more clinical rotations rather then theoretical classes at this stage. New disciplines such as anaesthesiology, orthopaedics and urology will be rotated through here.

What happens when you obtain your degree

Congratulation, you are now a doctor. During your final year you would have been requested by your medical school to make choices regarding where you would like to perform your internship.

Now, an internship in South Africa is a paid position where you are functioning as a newly qualified doctor. There are still restrictions to your license such as not being allowed to practice privately. You work as a junior doctor who consults with patients, but this is done under the supervision of a medical officer, clinical assistant or consultant. 

As an intern, you will rotate through most of the medical and surgical disciplines over the following 2 years. Part of your job description, if you are working at a training hospital, is to look after and train medical students.

After the internship is done, you will then perform your community service, or 'Zuma' year, in an area that requires medical services. This is another compulsory year and is a paid position where you will function as a more senior doctor. You will now also be responsible for the training of interns as well as medical students. You will now function on a level of a senior medical officer, which means more responsibilities, and you will answer to the consultant in charge of the specific department.