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 Otorhinolaryngology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102958  Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology 
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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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:
The purpose of this qualification is to produce qualified professionals in Otorhinolaryngology for South Africa with specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Otorhinolaryngology specialist skills and competencies are core to the production of health research and service delivery. By focusing on preventative strategies, early detection of health problems as well as early treatment will benefit both the society and the economy of the country.

Rationale:
The Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology developed in response to diverse regional and national human resources, skills, and knowledge needs in healthcare provision. The qualification increases the number of adequately trained health care workers and inspires a new generation of clinical researchers and university teachers. The qualification structure accords to the guidelines of the HPCSA and the College of Medicine of South Africa. On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners register as specialists in Otorhinolaryngology with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the HPCSA.

This qualification provides opportunities for future training and development of registrars in Otorhinolaryngology in the medical schools in South Africa. The applied competence and skills derived from their training in Otorhinolaryngology is sufficient to allow them to be accredited specialists with registration recognition with the HPCSA. The qualification aims to provide learners with the foundation for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity, and for contributing to society at large through advanced patient care, innovation, scholarship, and leadership in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.

The qualification provides qualified, appropriately trained professionals and academics who can render both formal academic and in-service training in Otorhinolaryngology as well as service delivery at health care facilities and tertiary educational institutions. There is also a provision of qualified, appropriately trained professionals and academics who can perform both contractual and academic research in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.

There is a need for Otorhinolaryngology specialists for the implementation of adequate health services for the majority of the citizens that rely on the public sector for their health care needs. Otorhinolaryngology practice has a goal of improving the health outcomes in our population. These goals are preventing disease, promoting healthy behaviour, early disease detection and early disease detection. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
For this qualification, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is predominantly used for returning learners with an incomplete Master's qualification and for learners who have an incomplete Master's qualification from another institution. The RPL process involves matching the learner's current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification, to determine whether a returning learner gets credit for specific units of competency. RPL may also be used to grant access to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner, independent practice.
    And
  • Appointment to a registrar post recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.
  • Applied Anatomy of Head and Neck, 20 Credits.
  • Pathology (Ancillary), 160 Credits.
  • General Principles of Surgery (Ancillary), 160 Credits.
  • General Physiology, 20 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation (Otorhinolaryngology), 180 Credits.
  • Otorhinolaryngology (Major), 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Investigate and solve complex Otorhinolaryngology problems.
    2. Conduct independent, advanced, appropriate, ethically and responsible research in any field of Otorhinolaryngology.
    3. Demonstrate an attitude of moral concern towards the public health of Southern Africa and practice his/her profession at the highest ethical level.
    4. Participate both in the formal academic teaching and the informal in-service training of all levels of health care professionals.
    5. Communicate successfully at all levels, using verbal, written or electronic means of communication.
    6. Engage in life-long skills development and self-learning.
    7. Function effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, in solving Otorhinolaryngology problems and transcending the boundaries of the health sciences to include disciplines such as health economics, social work and business management.
    8. Manage complex health care systems at the local, provincial or national levels. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Successfully investigate and manage a specific disease problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Complete an academic dissertation relevant to Otorhinolaryngology.
  • Successfully publish a research topic in an approved medical journal.
  • Present an approved research topic at a local or national congress.
  • Present an approved research poster at a local or national congress.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify ethical issues in any public health problem and enter into discourse as to the preferred course of action.
  • Defend the ethical aspects of his/her research protocol before the Research and Ethics Committee of the university.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Actively participated in formal undergraduate teaching.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Chair a seminar or meeting, write a dissertation, formal report or memorandum, deliver a lecture, participate at a tutorial and successfully conclude an oral examination.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate the ability to study independently and diligently to meet the academic requirements of the course.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Participate in multidisciplinary projects during the whole formal training period and be able to write joint reports on such projects.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Master the theoretical and practical aspects of the public health management and administration as required by the formal programme, including passing the formal examination relating to public health administration and health system management.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Although items as listed below, do not contribute to the final mark of the learner, the knowledge and skills acquired while performing these activities is essential for passing the formal assessment.

    Integrated assessment happens through the following routes:
  • Continuous assessment:
    Each learner prepares and carries a personal portfolio in which her/his academic and documents professional progress. The whole team of consultants assesses the portfolio at regular intervals.
  • Projects:
    Projects are allocated on an ongoing basis for each candidate and maybe small or large. Report back may be verbal (informal) or in the form of a formally written memorandum.
  • Practical assignments:
    Registrars are required to rotate (compulsory) through other clinical disciplines (General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit) for six months in each discipline.
  • Oral presentation:
    These include a presentation at journal clubs and presentations on selected topics during departmental academic days.
  • Written, practical and oral examination:
    Primary examinations (Formative assessment): The completion of all primary examination modules must be within 18 months of registration. The primary examination modules are as follows:
    > APAM701 (MHAA190) Applied anatomy of the head and neck.
    > APPM701 (MGPA190) General physiology.
  • Intermediate examination are as follows:
    > GPSM701 (MSUA190): General principles of surgery (Ancillary).
    > PTLG702 (MOGA190): Pathology (Ancillary).
  • Final Examination: Summative assessment):
    The Final Examinations are as follows:
    > OTOR761 (MOGB190): Otorhinolaryngology (Major)
    > The written part of the examination consists of 3 -written papers of 3 hours each.
    > The three papers cover the following areas:
    > Otology (Paper 1), Rhinology (Paper 2), Head and neck Pathology and Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (Paper 3).
    > Oral/Practical examination in the form of a viva voce. Five clinical stations are with live patients. The learner spends 30 minutes in each station. The candidate must pass the written examination with a combined sub-minimum of 50% to progress to Oral/Practical examination.
  • Dissertation:
    Achievement in the dissertation happens separately and independently.
  • Publications in Refereed Scientific Journals:
    The learners are encouraged to submit at least one research article for publications in a refereed scientific journal during their studies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to similar international qualifications, as indicated below.

    Canada:
    The Competency Framework for this qualification comes from the CanMeds Standards. These are adopted standards in Canada. The University of Calgary offers a residency qualification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. It is a 5-year qualification open to Medicine learners comprising of taught components, clinical rotations, and research. The competency framework and expectations of expert knowledge and highly skilled competencies in the speciality are common to both qualifications.

    Finland:
    The University of Helsinki, Finland, offers a specialist Degree in Medicine that can be taken by professionals licensed by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Specialist Medical Training in the discipline of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Helsinki in Finland requires at least 5 to 6 years of medical practice including 9 months of service in public health stations, passing theoretical and administrative courses and passing the national exam.

    United Kingdom:
    In the United Kingdom, core surgical training lasts two years and provides training in a hospital in a range of surgical specialities, which includes Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialisation. Learners then require six months of ENT experience to sit for the examination to obtain membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS (ENT)) or equivalent. Successful learners then take the next phase of training, which is speciality ENT surgery training (ST3), which could take six years. Learners must pass the Intercollegiate Specialty Examination (FRCS) to obtain a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and to be eligible to be placed onto the General Medical Council Specialist Register. The School of Surgery, Health Education England, Yorkshire, and Humber region, offer such specialist training.

    The MMed (Otorhinolaryngology) is comparable with international requirements for certification as a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States of America and Europe. Formal recognition, however, is dependent on the internal policies of the relevant institution/ certification board/ country. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Medical Oncology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology, 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.