SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102880  Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified appropriately trained professionals in Radiation Oncology for South Africa with the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to register as specialists with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Rationale:
This qualification improves the capacity to increase the production of properly trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and institution's lecturer. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is implemented through the institution's policy. For this qualification RPL will be predominantly used for returning learners with an incomplete Master's qualification and for learners who have an incomplete Master's qualification obtained at another institution. The RPL process involves matching the learners' current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification-which are nationally recognised qualifications registered on the NQF-to determine whether a returning candidate should be given credit for specific units of competency.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirements for admission into this Master's Degree studies are:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 9:
  • Applied Anatomy for Radiation Oncology 20 Credits.
  • Medical Physics 20 Credits.
  • Radiobiology and Cancer Biology 20 Credits.
  • Tumour Pathology and General Oncology 240 Credits.
  • Radiation Therapy and Medical Oncology240 Credits.
  • Mini-Dissertation (Radiation Oncology) 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate competence in clinical skills at the specialist level relevant to Radiation Oncology.
    2. Shows expertise in research and the ability to evaluate, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation related to Radiation Oncology.
    3. Shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practice of Radiation Oncology from the basic to the advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.
    5. Acquire and demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
  • Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient and other health care workers as a team.
  • Show sustained competence in skills necessary for the interpretation of Radiological investigations.
  • Demonstrate competent and responsible in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for this practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
  • Practice evidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice relevant to Radiation Oncology and Imaging.
  • Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation of Radiation Oncology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.
  • Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain condition where possible.
  • Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
  • Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
  • Strive to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of Radiation Oncology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level relevant to Diagnostic Radiology, the application of knowledge from the basic to the advanced level to other professionals.
  • Communicate this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality: Radiation Oncology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:
  • Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible social accountable citizen.
  • Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
  • Identify personal limitations and develops the capacity of self-audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment across exit level outcomes within the qualification should be integrated to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to learners and summative assessments which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes. Such assessments should assess the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification, presented by this institution, is comparable to similar international qualifications.

    The Competency Framework for this qualification is derived from the CanMeds Standards. These standards have been adopted in Canada and the Netherlands. The University of Calgary, Canada, offers a 5- year residency qualification in radiation oncology. The qualification aims to provide a training environment that ensures residents acquire the knowledge and skills to function as independent radiation oncologists. The qualification is offered through taught component, clinical rotations and a research component is encouraged.

    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, US, offers a residency qualification in Radiation Oncology. Learners enter the qualification following their internship. The four-year qualification includes training in the fundamental principles of oncology, comprehensive cancer management, clinical radiation oncology, radiation treatment techniques, patient safety and healthcare engineering, and a research experience. Teaching is closely integrated with a multidisciplinary approach to state-of-the-art clinical management of cancer patients and investigative clinical research protocols. Clinical training is provided in the standard care of common cancers as well as instruction in the management of unusual and complex oncologic problems. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Oncology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine: Radiation Oncology degree, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Radiation Oncology, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.