MMed | WITS Emergency Medicine Registrars

Masters of Medicine
MMED in Emergency Medicine

Where to start

Topic selection

Choosing a topic for your Emergency Medicine MMed research as a first-year registrar can feel challenging, but starting with a subject that genuinely interests you is essential—it will help maintain your focus and motivation throughout the journey.
Focus on relevance and feasibility to guide your decision.
Look for common clinical issues or gaps in practice that you've encountered during your shifts, as these often lead to practical and impactful research topics.
Ensure your project is realistic and achievable within the two-year timeframe, especially given the demands of clinical work.
Early discussions with your supervisors can help refine your idea and provide guidance on keeping it manageable.

Supervisor selection

Selecting the right supervisor is a crucial step in your MMed research journey.
Ideally, choose someone who has a genuine interest or expertise in your chosen topic, as their insight and enthusiasm can greatly enhance your project.
You’ll be working closely with your supervisor throughout the research process.
If you're unsure about what to research, some consultants already have project ideas available—these can be a great starting point.
Speak to the registrar representatives for more information about which consultants offer available projects.
If you haven’t selected a supervisor by the end of Research Week, Prof Laher and Dr Beringer will assist in allocating one to you, ensuring you’re supported as you begin your project.

Research week

Research Week is a dedicated 4–5 day block (depending on the Wits Academic Day schedule) held at Wits Medical School, coordinated by Dr Beringer and Prof Laher. It's designed to give you protected time to focus on getting your MMed research off the ground, so make the most of this opportunity by coming well-prepared:

Bring your laptop – you’ll need it for writing, researching, and accessing resources.
Come with a few research topic ideas – even rough ones can help spark discussions and feedback.
Think about potential supervisors – having a few names in mind will help you make quicker progress.
If you've already started drafting a protocol, bring it along – you can get feedback and guidance to strengthen your work.
Use the time to ask consultants any questions you have about your topic, protocol design, feasibility, or ethical considerations.

This is one of the few dedicated periods in your registrar training for focused research development—take full advantage of it.

DRAG Submission

DRAG Submission Checklist (Departmental Research Advisory Group)

DRAG is a panel of Emergency Medicine consultants that reviews your MMed research protocol to assess its quality, feasibility, and readiness for ethics submission. Here's what you need to know and do to prepare for DRAG submission:

✅ Ensure your supervisor has approved your protocol before submission—this is essential.
✅ Only submit your protocol when it is complete and ready for review.
✅ Check the DRAG submission deadlines and meeting dates (found on the departmental site or via official communications).
- Submission deadlines are at least 10 days before the DRAG assessment meeting.
- No late submissions will be accepted.
✅ Submit your protocol to Kgomotso Tlala at the Wits Postgraduate Office:
- Email: Kgomotso.Tlala@wits.ac.za
- Submissions are made via email, ensure you email from your wits staff email
✅ Once submitted, the faculty will notify the DRAG committee that there is a candidate for the upcoming meeting.
✅ You must also CC email your protocol to the following individuals:
- Prof Feroza Motara – feroza.motara@wits.ac.za
- Prof Abdullah Laher – abdullahlaher@msn.com
- Zama Mavimbela – zamakholo.mavimbela@wits.ac.za

Make sure to double-check formatting and completeness before submission—DRAG feedback is a critical step toward getting your protocol approved for ethics.

You will either get accepted or denied:

if accepted without corrections: you can go ahead and submit to ethics

if accepted pending corrections and supervisor approval: you will go an do the suggested corrections, send it back to your supervisors and then they will email you a letter of approval

if denied/rejected: you will get feedback and need to resubmit for the next DRAG meeting

Necessary Documents when submitting protocol

You will need a completed version of:

Your Protocol Document

Protocol Cover Sheet

Recommendation for Appointment of Supervisor form

Plagiarism form

Ethics Submission / Approval

Ethics Submission Summary (Wits MMed Research – HREC Medical)

Visit: https://www.wits.ac.za/research/researcher-support/research-ethics/ethics-committees/ for more information

All research involving human participants under the University of the Witwatersrand must receive ethics clearance. For students or staff within the Faculty of Health Sciences, this means submitting an application to the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical), especially if the research is conducted at a medical facility (hospital, clinic, etc.), regardless of whether medical professionals are directly involved.

For most MMed projects, you will need to complete the Full Application Form, which applies to higher degree research involving clinical procedures, surveys, interviews, and other prospective health-related activities. This form does not apply to case studies, retrospective reviews, or studies using de-identified data.

Submission Process:

Applications must be submitted online via the Wits Ethics Management System (EMS): https://www.witsethics.co.za/Login.aspx.
Include your full protocol, DRAG clearance letter, site permission letters, appendices (data collection forms and patient consents), and all supporting documentation.
Submissions are reviewed during monthly HREC (Medical) committee meetings. Be sure to consult the updated submission and meeting dates.
Expedited application categories (e.g. retrospective reviews, case studies) must be submitted via email to: HREC-Medical.ResearchOffice@wits.ac.za. No hard copies are needed.

For templates, checklists, and further guidance, refer to the Wits Ethics portal. Always confirm the correct form and process before submission to avoid delays.

Application Form

HREC Ethics Checklist Form

Submission deadlines 2025

CEO Permission/ Approval

If you have chosen a research method that requires permission from
CEOs or Research Committees from respective hospitals, you can use this as a guide.

CHBAH CEO Permission

You will need to complete this cover sheet, and accompanying documents.

Hand it into Priscilla Makuala at the Psychiatry department, Block 85. priscilla.makaula@gauteng.gov.za

011 933 8042

You will need to register your protocol on the National Health Research Database (NHRD) website https://nhrd.health.gov.za/ to get a reference number. The actual NHRD number will take a while and they accept the reference number.

CMJAH CEO Permission

You will need to complete the application form via this link.

Then you will need to upload your documents via this link.

For any further enquiries, you can email cmjahresearch@gauteng.gov.za

HJH CEO Permission

You must complete this form

Then email the completed form, your protocol, ethics approval (if you have it) and NHRD reference number to Hlamalani Shibodzo.

Hlamalani.Shibodzo@gauteng.gov.za

Tambo Memorial CEO Permission

Email your protocol, a cover letter with your name, supervisor, title etc (as for CHBAH), NHRD, HoD permission and provisional ethics clearance to Johanna Storm.

Johanna.Storm2@gauteng.gov.za

Thelle Mogerane CEO Permission

Email your protocol, a cover letter with your name, supervisor, title etc (as for CHBAH), NHRD, HoD permission and provisional ethics clearance to Thandiwe Mabizela

Thandiwe.Mabizela@gauteng.gov.za

Data Collection

Once you have received ethics approval, you can begin data collection for your MMed research. It's essential to follow the approved protocol closely, including any timelines, methods, and site permissions outlined in your ethics submission. Keep your data secure, de-identified where applicable, and ensure informed consent is obtained if required. Maintain accurate records throughout, as these will be crucial for your analysis and eventual write-up. Regular check-ins with your supervisor during this phase can help keep you on track and address any challenges early.

Need to change your study title midway ?

If you need to change the title of your MMed research project after initial submission, you must notify the Wits Postgraduate Office. Send an email to Kgomotso Tlala at Kgomotso.Tlala@wits.ac.za requesting the title change. You will also need to complete the official title change document provided below and submit it along with your request. Be sure to include your student number, original title, proposed new title, and supervisor approval.

Document to complete:

SUBMITTING YOUR FINAL MMED

Your MMed will need to be submitted in journal article format. You will also need to have intention to submit to a journal or if already submitted, documents to support this.

ROAD MAP TO MMED (MASTERS OF MEDICINE)

Masters of Medicine MMED in Emergency Medicine