Teaching and Training

The role of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (CCTS) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

MMed programmes in South Africa are guided by the rules set out by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).  This is a statutory body that is responsible for accreditation of training for medical specialists and for registering specialists on completion of their training. 

The CCTS, as part of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), is the custodian of the quality of medical care in South Africa.  Because the CMSA encompasses all medical and dental specialities, it has the potential to promote aspects of medical education and professionalism which are common to all disciplines.  Specialist membership of the CMSA is achieved by examination and the qualification obtained is known as a Fellowship of the College of Cardio-thoracic Surgery of South Africa (FC Cardio)

The HPCSA has recently revised their guidelines regarding the registration of specialists. Previously medical doctors could register as a specialist with a MMed degree or Fellowship, or both.  The HPCSA now requires that every specialist obtain a MMed degree, which includes the submission of a research report.  Many disciplines are now moving towards having the CMSA manage the examination process of the specialisation and require the completion of a research report for the MMed degree

The CCTS has regulations that provide the syllabus and core skills of a cardiothoracic surgeon.  Registrars are required to complete a minimum period of not less than four years approved training in cardiothoracic surgery, cover all aspects of the syllabus and achieve required skills before they are permitted to take examinations.  A portfolio of work is being completed six monthly to monitor progress in this regard. 

According to the Human Resource Plan for Health in South Africa, there were 93 registered specialists in 2012 and we need 153 specialists by 2025, with an annual graduate rate of 9 and we are expected to be produce 17 graduates annually by 2025.  The figures for last 10 years are described in Table 3.1. It showed that we are on average producing 2-3 graduates per year which is far less than the required number.

Statistics for the CCTS (Final examination)

This showed that the Division had produced the highest number of graduates in Gauteng Province (third highest in the country). In addition, it produced one graduate per year consecutively from 2013.