FELLOWSHIP IN GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY

9. REGULATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS

9.1 Examination of Course Work

9.1.1 There shall be formative continuous assessment of the trainees during the clinical rotations using standardized clinical assessment tools and logbook.

9.1.2 At the end of year one (1) and year two (2) there shall be both written and clinical examinations.

9.1.3 A student shall be eligible for end of first year examination on completion of the scheduled coursework.

9.1.4 A student shall be eligible for the second year examination on fulfilment of for following: a) Passed the first year examination. b) Completed required clinical rotations, logbook and course-work. c) Passed the research project examination.

9.1.5 The continuous assessment will constitute 60% of the overall examination marks and shall be based on formative clinical assessments and the clinical log book.

9.1.6 The end year examination will constitute 40% of the overall marks.

9.1.7 Candidates must obtain a pass mark of 50% for each examination.

9.1.8 A candidate who scores 40-49% in an examination will be allowed to re-sit the examination when it is next offered.

9.1.9 A candidate who fails the re-sit examination will on approval by Senate be discontinued from the program.

9.1.10 A candidate who scores less than 40% on first attempt will be discontinued from the program.

9.2 Examination of the Research Project

Common regulation of University of Nairobi regarding examination of research projects shall apply.

9.2.1 A candidate shall under the supervision of their assigned supervisor prepare a project report and submit it for examination twelve weeks before the final examination.

9.2.2 The project report shall undergo a plagiarism check at time of submission, and similarity index shall not exceed 15%.

9.2.3 The written project report shall be marked by the primary supervisor and one other academic member of staff which marks shall contribute to 80% of the project exam mark.

9.2.4 The candidate shall make an oral presentation of their research to a Departmental Board of Examiners chaired by the Chairman of the Department and comprising at least two members of teaching staff, and oral project examination marks shall be awarded which shall contribute to 20% of the project exam mark.

9.2.5 Candidates must obtain a pass mark of 50% in the research project (which shall be the sum of the written and oral examination marks). Draft 29 Gyn Onc Curriculum Final Approved Senate June 2018 Page 9 of 32 a) A candidate who fails to achieve pass mark in the project will be required to revise and re-submit within 3 months for re-examination. b) A candidate who fails re-submission of the research project, or fails to re-submit within 3 months shall on recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval of Senate be discontinued.

9.2.6 The final version of the research project shall be submitted to Graduate school in two hard bound copies, and a soft copy bearing the names of the candidate and supervisors. One additional hard copy shall be submitted to the Department in which the Fellowship was undertaken. The hard copies shall be black, hard bound with the name of the candidate, course and year of graduation written on the spine in gold and the front page branded in accordance with the university policy. Bindery shall be done at the University of Nairobi Library.

9.3 Logbook

9.3.1 The logbook shall contain a chronological record of all diagnostic or clinical procedures during training.

9.3.2 Passing the logbook is a prerequisite to sitting the end of year one and two examinations, and the logbook marks shall contribute to the overall Continuous Assessment Test.

9.3.3 The log book will be marked out of 100% on completion of the required activities.

Overview

PHILOSOPHY

Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship is an advanced clinical training aimed at training sub-specialty skills for managing reproductive cancers.  The training is offered to individuals who have completed Masters in Medicine (MMed) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology course or equivalent and are already recognized as specialists. This is in keeping with the University of Nairobi Vision, ‘to be a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence’ and our Mission ‘to provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge’.

RATIONALE

Cancer is one of the non- communicable diseases and accounts for 60% of the global mortality.  In Kenya, cancer incidence is on the increase and it is the 3rd highest cause of mortality after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.  An estimated 39,000 new cancer cases occur each year with more than 27,000 deaths.  About 60% of Kenyans under the age of 70 are at risk of getting cancer, whose risk factors include lifestyle, diet, environmental toxins and infections such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis group of viruses.   The leading cancers in women are breast, cervical, ovarian and gestational trophoblastic disease. Of these, three out of four are reproductive tract cancers. Nationally, most (70 -80%) of the cancers, are diagnosed in their late stages due to lack of awareness, inadequate diagnostic and treatment facilities, scarcity of personnel, delays in decision making  and poverty, which limits access to care.  National strategies which are supported by the Cancer prevention and control Bill, include health promotion, prevention, disease surveillance and research. One of the biggest challenges in combating reproductive health cancers in Kenya and the region at large, is a scarcity in Gynaecologic Oncologists; there are only eight (8) Gynaecologic Oncologists in Kenya. A stakeholders meeting held on 23rd, March 2016, had a consensus the need to train Gynaecologic Oncologist who are competent to bridge the existing gap and address the unmet demand in management of gynaecological malignancies, for the health of women, in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Kenya Vision 2030.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME 
The goal of this programme is to advance training for Gynaecologic Oncologists at The University of Nairobi as a means of increasing access to combating reproductive health cancers in Kenya and the region at large.

 

 

COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION

  1. The Clinical Fellowship training program will cover a minimum duration of 24 months and a maximum of 48 months from the date of registration.
  2. The Clinical Fellowship Program shall consist of clinical training, course work, a research project, and examinations.
  3. One course unit shall be 60 hours. 
  4. At the minimum 80% of the fellowship will be clinically driven experiential learning. 
  5. A log book of the clinical work undertaken during the training shall be maintained and assessed periodically to confirm achievement of expected clinical competences.
  6. External clinical rotations in relevant clinical settings per the specific syllabus for up to six months at an adjunct teaching hospital of the University of Nairobi, or other hospital facility approved by the parent department shall be accommodated and shall count towards meeting course requirements. Prior arrangement and approval by the parent department shall be required. 
  7. Each trainee shall undertake a research project on a clinical area of interest within the sub-specialty discipline of training and write a report.  

  • The research proposal should be developed during the first year of study, and approved by the relevant clinical department.
  • Ethical approval by the University of Nairobi / Kenyatta National Hospital Ethical Review Committee or other recognized local ethical approval body shall be required for research that involves human subjects.

  8. Each trainee will be assigned a primary mentor to guide them throughout their training, who shall be a  sub-specialist in the specific field of training, who shall also supervise their project. An additional  research project supervisor may be incorporated based on need with approval of the parent department.

The following shall be the minimum admission requirements for entry into Gynecologic
Oncology Fellowship
at the University of Nairobi. Candidates shall fulfill the following
conditions:

  • Hold a Masters of Medicine degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology of The University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  • Show evidence of registration and current practicing license from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (Kenyan applicants) or for International applicants, show evidence of registration and current practicing license from equivalent authority from their country of origin, and eligibility for registration with Kenya Medical Practitioners and DentistsBoard.
  • Possess a certificate of good standing from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, or equivalent authority from the country of origin for international applicants.
  • Possess a valid medical indemnity cover throughout the training period.
  • Applicants whose language of instruction during undergraduate or Masters in Medicine training was not English, shall be required to show evidence of proficiency in English from an institution recognized by The University of Nairobi.
  • Pass an application and interview process to determine their suitability for admission. International applicants who for reasons acceptable to the recruitment committee are unable to present themselves for a face-to-face interview, shall undergo an interview through available media.
  • Be bound to conduct themselves with integrity in a manner befitting the medical profession and in accordance to the following documents,

a) Manual on Code of Conduct and Medical Ethics.

b) Public Office Ethics Act, 2003, Part III General Code of
Conduct and Ethics.

APPLICATION

The Fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology of the University Of Nairobi (Fell. Gyn. Onc, Uon) programme is online
An application fee must be paid to complete the application process. Submit
 supporting academic documents as prompted on the online application site. Once you have filled out the online application, you can track the application process online by following the prompts. (Click here to apply)

SCHEDULE OF INTAKE

Month of September, every year.

MODE OF DELIVERY
Mode of delivery shall be predominantly face-to-face and clinical competency-based, as a
continuous full-time training. Course units shall be covered through various platforms as
appropriate, including supervised clinical work, clinical teachings & tutorials, practical
demonstrations, Supervised skills and humanistic laboratory practical sessions, on-call duties,
clinical case discussions, journal clubs, case reports, seminars, workshops, multimedia resources,
video conferencing
Most of the learning will be participatory and self-directed.
Open, Distance Learning, and e- Learning
Use of e-learning resources will be encouraged.
Distance learning through online linkages by full-time students will be encouraged.

CONTACTS OF SUPPORT PERSONS

For any assistance contact the Secretary, Office of the Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Telephone: 0204915055

E-mail: dept-obsgynaecology@uonbi.ac.ke

or pay us a visit at Kenyatta National Hospital Campus, University of Nairobi, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  Physical Location | Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (uonbi.ac.ke)

ATTACHMENT OPPORTUNITIES: 

Electives rotation (practicals) for 8 weeks in the 2nd year of the course in relevant clinical settings per the specific syllabus for up to six months at an adjunct teaching hospital of the University of Nairobi, or other hospital facility approved by the parent department shall be accommodated and shall count towards meeting course requirements. Prior arrangement and approval by the parent department shall be required. 

CAREER PROSPECTS/ OPPORTUNITIES
Upon completion of the Fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology of The University Of Nairobi
fellows will have diverse opportunities for career and further advancement: -

  • Service provision as Gynaecological Oncologist superspecialist consultants
  • Leadership in GynaeOncology and Health care in general such as:

-Medical superintendents
-Divisional heads
-Health chief executive officers
-Heads of GynaeOncology health units
-Ministers and even Principal secretaries

  • Research in GynaeOncology and health in general
  • Teaching- lecturers, associate and full professors in GynaeOncology upon appropriate

career advancement.

  • Entrepreneurship- Own and run medical facilities offering GynaeOncology specialist

services as well as health care in general.

 

Notable Alumni/ Alumnae:

GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY (H117)  
   
Year 1  TOTALS 
TUITION                   648,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                        5,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                        6,500.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                        7,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                        2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                        5,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                        4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                        1,000.00
CAUTION - (ONCE)                        5,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                        1,000.00
Year I Total        685,000.00
   
Year 2  
TUITION                   648,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                        5,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                        6,500.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                        7,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                        2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                        5,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                        4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                        1,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                        1,000.00
 Year 2 Total                   680,000.00
   
Grand totals    1,365,000.00