Background

In 2010, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) defined new requirements for specialist and sub-specialist registration, which included the need for registrars to demonstrate research competence by completing a research project.  This has introduced numerous challenges into training institutions. Key amongst these is the lack of time for registrars and their supervisors to dedicate to research activities. Further to this is the lack of research experience amongst registrars and, in some cases, their supervisors. There are several consequences of research non-completion including delayed specialist registration which could reduce the number of specialists available for appointment. Another concern is the increasing pool of poorly conducted research which may have negative consequences for policy, government spending on health and patient health outcomes.

In response to these challenges, the Registrar Research Support Office​ was created as a new unit in the Research Development & Support Division in April 2020, with the aim to support the research capacity development of Master of Medicine (MMed) and sub-specialty (MPhil) candidates in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

Consultation and customised information sessions

The RRSO offers a consultation service and takes requests for information sessions or lectures as part of the MMed academic programme within individual departments or divisions.

• Overview of the MMed research journey at Stellenbosch University
• Sources of research support at Stellenbosch University
• Clinical research methods (quantitative and qualitative)
• Protocol and manuscript writing

​For enquiries, contact Dr Tania Brodovcky ([email protected]) or Ms Lauren Hendricks ([email protected])