South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The Health Professions Council of South Africa implemented a compulsory research component for specialist practitioner registration through the Master of Medicine (MMed) degree in 2011, eliciting both commendation and critique. Chief among the concerns is the extended time required for MMed completion. This study explores the duration of each component of the MMed research thesis and discusses the potential problematic areas in terms of its timeous completion, about which there is currently a lack of data, with particular regard to the South African (SA) setting. ⋯ A significant portion of candidates do not complete the MMed research thesis within the 4-year training period, hindering specialist registration. The major contributing factors appear to be related to candidates' inexperience regarding the research process and lack of exposure to it, as well as some of the administrative procedures involved. Utilisation of the recommendations and structured timeline will help identify problematic areas timeously and ensure successful completion of the thesis.
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Adverse events are common, and impact patients and healthcare systems negatively. Large international systems investigate adverse events at length, but South African data are lacking. ⋯ Adverse events are common, and their aetiology is multifactorial. A sustained and multi-faceted approach is needed to address the challenge they pose.