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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102882  Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology 
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  720  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Learners will gain a clear understanding of the disease processes and their diagnosis. They will be competent in Emergency, Critical and chronic laboratory medicine. They will acquire research skills adequate for one to be part of a research team and eventually form their research groups.

Rationale:
Chemical Pathology also is known as Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Chemistry which is a discipline in medicine that utilises concentrations, quantities, activities and ratios of chemicals in samples to elucidate the basis of disease/pathology. The term clinical biochemistry arises from the fact that derangement in the normal biochemical pathway gives rise to changes in the levels of chemical(s) in the affected pathway resulting in clinical symptoms and signs. In Clinical Chemistry, there is a use of chemistry analytical methods and reactions to identify and assess the levels of the chemical responsible for the observed clinical features. An appreciation of the preceding means that levels of chemicals outside the reference range are responsible for the clinical features (pathology secondary to altered levels of chemicals = Chemical Pathology).

Chemical Pathology brings together science and medicine and relates to all medical specialities, and there is a consultation about the investigation and management of patients with rare abnormalities. Certain investigations overlap into another pathology discipline like Immunochemistry and Haemochemistry. Major subsections of Chemical Pathology like Endocrinology, Dyslipidaemia, Cytogenetics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders which constitute large sections under metabolic medicine requiring molecular techniques to confirm the diagnosis. The need to have a medical specialist who understands both the science and the clinical aspect of disease/pathology was the basis for the development of chemical pathology. The training follows the rules and regulations of both the national training institution (Colleges of Medicine South Africa) and the statutory body (Health Professions Council of South Africa) that regulates medical practice in South Africa.

The training of medical learners as Chemical pathologists will understand related clinical features to the scientific aspects and analytical processes. In some cases, it involves introducing and carrying out special esoteric analyses, developing and implementing new techniques. The increase in the number of Chemical pathology requests resulted in the introduction of automated analysers, usually operated by technologists. The quality and provision of all tests and assessment of the significance of the results, especially for esoteric tests, remain the responsibility of the chemical pathologist.

Primary Health Care has been successful in regions or countries where laboratory diagnosis formed part of primary health care. Therefore learners have vast opportunities in the health sector because Chemical pathology the implementation can successful at this level. Optimum primary health diagnosis and treatment will reduce the current burden of central and tertiary health institutions. The Optimum primary health diagnosis and treatment has a direct positive impact on the national budget and gross domestic product. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution will consider RPL in case of a transfer. The discussion will be at the level of institutions, and so that of all records (full portfolio) are transferred. The institution will need to transfer credit rights to the institution after successful completion of the program.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Registration with HPCSA as a medical practitioner Independent Practice.
    And
  • Appointment to a Registrar's post recognized by the HPCSA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 720 Credits:
  • General Physiology, 20 Credits.
  • Molecular Biology, 32 Credits.
  • Basic Chemical Pathology, 116 Credits.
  • Intermediate Chemical Pathology, 180 Credits.
  • Chemical Pathology, 192 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation (Chemical Pathology), 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Manage high-quality laboratories and of contributing effectively to the investigation and management of patients. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of, and skills in:
    > Biochemistry, physiology, general and special pathology.
    > The biochemical and metabolic basis of disease.
    > The application of laboratory test results to the investigation and management of patients.
    > The investigation of clinical and laboratory problems.
    > The provision of specialist opinion in Chemical Pathology.
    > Accreditation theory and practice.
    > Physical and chemical principles of analytical techniques and analytical methods.
    > Efficient laboratory administration and management skills to provide an effective service.
    > Data Management and computational skills and knowledge.
    > Health and Safety requirements for laboratories.
    > The processes required to do research namely reviewing the literature, writing scientific proposals, writing ethics and grant applications.
    > The ability to critically assess the literature and the ability to draw valid conclusions from the data.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessments occur throughout the training period.

    Case Presentations:
    Each registrar will be obliged to present six cases during every year of training.

    Each case will be assessed using the following criteria and will form part of the annual formative assessment of the registrar:
  • Understanding the theory of the case.
  • Clinical assessment of the case.
  • Proposed additional investigations or comment on the appropriateness of the investigations performed.
  • Laboratory issues that could influence the work-up.
  • Overall summary of the case.
  • Presentation.

    Seminars:
    Registrars will be obliged to present a minimum of three seminars per year. Each seminar will:
  • Require a review of the current literature.
  • Test the ability of the registrar to understand, summarise and highlight the important issues surrounding the chosen topic.
  • Assess the presentation skills of the registrar.

    Practical skills:
    The assessment of the practical skills is as follows:
  • Understanding the principles of the technique or procedure.
  • Risk assessment.
  • Ability to evaluate quality control measures.
  • Ability to perform the procedure.
  • Ability to troubleshoot the process.
  • Ability to interpret the data appropriately.

    All assessments are in accordance to the university assessment policy and the examination rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    After successful completion of their training, learners will get admission to College of Medicine South Africa as Fellowship of the College of Pathologists of South Africa (F.C. PATH SA) (Chem Path), and the Health Professions Council of SA will register the learners. Some Chemical pathologists from South Africa have senior positions in both the United States of America and the United Kingdom. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medical Science, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine: Chemical Pathology, 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.