FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Department of Internal Medicine

Our doctors are the pride of UL and an inspiration to their professional peers

Departments are involved in supervising postgraduate students and individual staff research. The main research focus areas are listed under each department.

School of Health Care Sciences

Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Limpopo. Here, we blend the art of compassionate patient care with the pursuit of medical excellence. Our department is committed to shaping the future of internal medicine by nurturing the talents of our students through a combination of academic rigour and hands-on clinical experience. Guided by distinguished faculty members who are leaders in their fields, you’ll find a supportive and dynamic learning environment where your passion for medicine can flourish. Our department also provides extensive research opportunities, with expert staff and supervisors covering a wide range of topics, including specialised areas within internal medicine.

Career Opportunities in Internal Medicine

Graduates of our Internal Medicine programmes are well-equipped to pursue diverse and rewarding career paths in the medical field. Here are just a few potential opportunities:

  • Primary Care Physician: Serve as the cornerstone of patient care, providing comprehensive medical services to individuals and families.
  • Hospitalist: Manage the medical care of hospitalised patients, ensuring continuity of care and optimal outcomes.
  • Subspecialist: Choose to specialise in areas such as cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, or endocrinology, among others.
  • Academic Physician: Educate and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing medical knowledge through research and scholarship.
  • Consultant Physician: Provide expert medical advice and consultations, contributing to the diagnosis and management of complex medical cases.
  • Global Health Practitioner: Address healthcare disparities and promote health equity on a global scale, working in diverse settings around the world.
  • Telemedicine Provider: Deliver remote medical care through telecommunication technologies, increasing access to healthcare services for underserved populations.
  • Public Health Advocate: Advocate for policies and initiatives that improve population health and address social determinants of health, making a positive impact on community wellness.

 

Medicine Community Engagement

The school engages the community through service delivery on the training platform and during outreach to various levels of healthcare facilities.

The services reach 17 PHC Clinics in the sub-district, one Community Health Centre, 4 district hospitals (Jane Furse, Lebowakgomo, Warmbaths and Elim), two specialised hospitals (Thabamoopo and Hayani) and two regional hospitals (Mokopane and Letaba).

School of Medicine Research

Medicine Research Overview

At the moment there is no niche area that has been developed for the School. It has been decided that the “Burden of Disease” studies being conducted by the Public Health Medicine Department will inform the choice of niche areas.

Departments are involved in supervising postgraduate students and individual staff research. The main research focus areas are listed under each Department.

Medicine Research Projects and Areas

  • Department of Paediatrics and Subspecialties
    • Child Health studies in co-operation with UNICEF
    • Allergology
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatic Heart Disease Study (REMEDY II)
  • Department of Surgery
    • Inflammation
    • Rare diseases case reports
    • Genetics of ophthalmic inflammatory conditions
    • Monographs on surgery in HIV/AIDS patients
    • Cleft-lip palate multidisciplinary studies
  • Radiation and Imaging
    • Effects of radiation on HIV/AIDS related malignancies
  • Department of Medicine
    • Rheumatic Heart Disease Study (REMEDY II)
  • Public Health Medicine
    • Burden of Disease in Limpopo Province Project.
  • Family Medicine
  •  The role of inflammation in the causation of Type II diabetes mellitus

 

Medicine Research-Collaboration

  • REMEDY II Study
  • UNICEF-funded studies