​Department of Psychiatry

Postgraduate Education

Subspecialty Programmes 

 

MPhil Neuropsychiatry - Psychogeriatrics

 

Programme overview

Increased life expectancy is accompanied by a surge in the risk for many neuropsychiatric diseases and a concomitant growing demand for specialists to manage these geriatric mental illnesses. This MPhil is aimed at psychiatrists who intend to sub-specialize in Geriatric Psychiatry. It provides a rich combination of experiences designed to equip trainees with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders in old age, to develop skills as educators, and to stimulate interest in research. The curriculum includes training in psychogeriatrics, as well as applied geriatric medicine, neuropsychiatry/neurology, psychosomatic medicine/neuro-imaging and HIV. Trainees are exposed to a broad range of geriatric psychiatric disorders in a variety of clinical settings.

 

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants shall hold the following qualifications:

  • Master of Medicine in Psychiatry/Neurology; or
  • Fellowship of the South African College of Psychiatrists/Neurologists or equivalent qualification approved by Senate for this purpose;

And

  • Registration as medical practitioner in the category independent practice/specialist psychiatrist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Modules and credit values

First year

  • Ethics 871(5)
  • Research Methodology 871 (5)
  • Neuropsychopharmacology 871 (5)
  • Applied Neuropsychiatry 871 (10)
  • Applied Neurology 871 (10)
  • Applied Psychosomatic Medicine 871 (10)
  • Applied HIV and Medicine 871 (10)


 Second year

  • Old Age Psychiatry 871 (45)
  • Applied Geriatric Medicine 871 (10)
  • Neuropsychological and Specialized Assessments 871 (5)
  • Clinical Imaging 871 (5)
  • Research Assignment 871 (60) *

 *The research project is completed over the course of the two years.


Enquiries

Programme coordinator: Dr FCV Potocnik

Tel.: (021) 938 9023    E-mail: felix@sun.ac.za