Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe

This is a compulsory supervised period [2 years for Medical Interns and 1 year for Dental Interns] in a Central Hospital or an approved Designated Health Institution so as to gain clinical experience. Internship training is an essential and indispensable component of the development of a young doctor. During the period interns are expected to develop professional values and advance their knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Internship training provides an environment for the intern to learn whilst providing services. This follows the principle of apprenticeship where the intern is a member of a team which is responsible for the care of acute medical outpatients and relevant procedures.

The first year interns do compulsory 6 monthly clinical rotations in medicine and surgery.

During the 2nd year the interns undertake compulsory 4 monthly clinical rotations in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a choice of either Anaesthetics or Psychiatry but not necessarily in their order.

 

 

Unlike Medical Practitioners, Dental Interns undertake one year of compulsory internship. Succesfulful completion of internship leads to one year of Government Dental Experience and during this period Dental Officers can apply for a limited private practising certificate. Upon completion of the Government Dental Experience, Dental Practitioners become eligible for an Open Practising Certificate.

During the internship period, interns are assessed against standards of competencies required. Using the internship logbook , interns are assessed their capabilities in dealing with patients in the fields of clerking, physical examination, carrying out relevant investigation, coming up with a working clinical diagnosis, coming up with a management/treatment plan, initializing treatments in line with the instruction from the supervising senior and preparation of some patients for specific specialized therapies.

In addition to these professional requirements the first year intern is also monitored on his/her relationships with regards to supervisors, peers, colleagues particularly nurses, administrative staff and patients.