Reg-time Reviews

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 1 year

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• None

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• None

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of the Free State (UFS)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• East London Hospital complex

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Part I, Part II, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Pentagon Park Bloemfontein

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• 2-5 years.

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Diploma, Primary

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of Cape Town (UCT)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Groote Schuur Hospital; Red Cross Children Hospital; Mowbray Maternity Hospital ; New Somerset Hospital

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Part II, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Vredehoek; Salt River; Woodstock; Rondebosch

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• Already completed

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• None
• None

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• None
• Diploma

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• Walter Sisulu University
• Walter Sisulu University

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Zithulele District Hospital (Eastern Cape)
• Zithulele, Nelson Mandela Academic, Frere

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Final, MMed, Fellowship, Internal exams annually based on the same structure as final college exams
• Part I, Part II, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4
• 5

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 3
• 5

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 5
• 5 – Most of the Fam Med programme is based at a district hospital, which provided an excellent training ground for a Family Physician.

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 2
• 5

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Our decentralised program is based in a deeply rural environment which has both big challenges and big rewards.
• Live in hosp accom at Zithulele

Any final comments?

• Zithulele was an incredible place to learn to be a well rounded and skilled Family Physician.

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 5 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• Already completed

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• <2 years

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Primary

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Intermediate, Final, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 5

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 5

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Platinum Manor

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• Already completed

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• None

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• None, I started my training in 1984. For pathology you had to be a registrar before you could do primaries

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of Pretoria (UP)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Pretoria Academic, Kalafong, Blood banks, CMJAH

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Primary, Part I, Part II, Final, MMed, Fellowship

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 5 – Currently the Dept gives good laboratory and clinical exposure

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Can’t help you there. I have been in Bloemfontein for the last 30 years.

Any final comments?

• “1. Some people think that pathology specialties are soft jobs. But the days are very long and the amount of intellectual work intense. Pathologist find you in solving problems, and taking nothing for granted. You need an inquiring mind. If you want a soft job, rather leave medicine.
  2. Haematological pathology is ideal for someone who preferred physiology and cells above anatomy. You need to be visually/picture orientated and understand abstract processes. There is a mixture of laboratory bench work, microscopy, clinical work, genetics, etc. (You can develop your career into one of the fields later on.) There is a lot of interaction with other specialties, especially clinical haematology.
  3. Make certain you get your primaries done within about a year. You feel much stronger within yourself when you have passed these exams. Then tackle your research project and finish it within 18 months. The research develops you intellectually and boosts your confidence before the Part II exams.
  4. When you study make time for BOTH reviewing the conditions you are managing in the lab at the time AND some systematic studying of a textbook. The balance will vary.
  5. Don’t sit on problems you are experiencing as a registrar. Discuss them with your consultant at the first opportunity. Ask lots of questions. Otherwise you end up being a problem registrar that keeps on making mistakes and failing exams.
  6. Remember! You are preparing yourself to be a consultant, work towards that goal consciously. Also, you are actually preparing your CV and building a professional network from Day 1 as a registrar.”

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• Already completed
• 1 year

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• 2-5 years
• 2-5 years

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Primary, Part I
• Diploma, Part I

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of Pretoria (UP)
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Steve biko / tembisa / Kalafong
• Pmb / Durban

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Primary, Part I, Part II, Final, MMed
• Final, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 5
• 5

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 3 – Had to go to wits for teaching.
• 4

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4
• 5

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4
• 5

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• I travelled from jozi to pta so not sure
• Glen wood

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 1 year

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• None

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• None

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• Stellenbosch University

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Just Tygerberg Hospital – you do visit industry

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Final, MMed, Diploma. MSc subjects

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 5

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• All of the Northern Suburbs

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• Already completed
• Already completed

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• <2 years
• <2 years

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Part I
• Diploma, Primary, Part I, Intermediate

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
• University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• St John, CMJ, HJH
• Charlotte Maxeke, Baragwanath, Helen Joseph

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Intermediate, Final, MMed
• Part II, Final, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 5
• 4

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 5 – Best department in the country. If you want Ophthalmology, go to Wits. Specifically St John. Best research and clinical exposure.
• 3 – Good teaching, but little cutting time.

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 5
• 3 – You dont get a lot of cutting time.

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4
• 1

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Johannesburg: Parktown, Parkhurst, Rosebank
• Parktown, Killarney, Northcliff

Any final comments?

• Calls get better with time- as you progress to third on call. Calls are off site, you drive in to see patients. Not ideal to drive to Bara at 2am.

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• 1 year
• Already completed
• 4 years

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• <2 years
• 2-5 years
• <2 years
• 2-5 years

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Diploma, Primary, Part I
• Part I
• Diploma
• Diploma, Primary

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of Pretoria (UP)
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Kalafong, Steve Biko, Tembisa

• PMB complex, Albert Luthuli hospital

• Bara, Rahima Moosa, CMJAH, THELLE, Klerksdorp

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Part II, MMed
• Part II, MMed
• Part I, Part II, MMed
• Part II, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 4
• 3
• 4
• 5

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 4
• 3
• 3 – The first 2 years of training are more clinical and self study. It’s in the last 2 years when you do subspecialty rotations that you get academic ward rounds and formal teaching with clinical work.
• 5

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 5
• 3
• 5
• 5

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4
• 2
• 3
• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Irene, monument Park, Waterkloof ridge
• Glenwood, Musgrave
• In PMB, Chase Valley and hay fields
• I have always leaved In Weltevredenpark

Any final comments?

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 4 years
• 5 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 3 years
• Already completed

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• >5 years
• None

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Palliative care qualification (diploma or masters)
• None

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• Walter Sisulu University

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

• Greys
• Frere Hospital

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Part I, Part II, MMed
• Part I, Part II, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 3
• 3

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 3
• 1 – Consultant shared little academic knowledge. Mostly self-study. 

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 4
• 5

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 3
• 1

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Chase Valley/Oak Park
• Stirling, Beacon Bay, Gonubie

Any final comments?

• I experienced an extremely toxic work environment amongst the doctors. 

How many years is the reg-programme?

• 5 years

How many years have you been in the reg-programme?

• 1 year

How many years did you work as an MO in the department before getting the registrar post?

• <2 years

What relevant examinations did you do before getting the registrar post (i.e., in the field of your training)?

• Primary

At which training complex did you complete/are you completing your reg-time?

• University of the Free State (UFS)

What hospitals/complexes did you rotate through as part of your training programme?

What examinations were you required to complete during your reg-time?

• Primary, Intermediate, Final, MMed

How well did your registrar training programme prepare you for your examinations (1-5)?

• 3

How would you rate the teaching you receive(d) in your reg programme (1-5)?

• 2 – There is a lot of self studying

How would you rate your clinical exposure (1-5)?

• 5

How would you rate your department’s working environment when it comes to general support and morale?

• 4

For those coming after, can you recommend any suburbs/areas that are safe to live in and close to most of the hospitals where you have to rotate in your registrar programme?

• Langenhoven park

Any final comments?