SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110857	Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal
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		Curative 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:
The primary purpose of this qualification is to educate and train Occupational Medicine graduates who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level such that they are prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment in Occupational Medicine. They have to fulfil all of the requirements for professional registration or recognition, and includes appropriate forms of work-integrated learning; require a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence; demonstrate of the ability to relate knowledge to the resolution of complex problems in appropriate areas of Occupational Medicine practice; an independent study component that comprises at least a quarter of the credits at NQF level 9, consisting of a single piece research demonstrating innovation or professional expertise. Graduates must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively; design and critically appraise analytical writing; make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal; communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems; act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a professional orientation; continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a particular profession. learners in Occupational Medicine will function as specialists in the public and private sectors.

Rationale:
Occupational Medicine which was a sub-speciality of Public Health Medicine became an independent speciality in the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in 2006. Hence there is a need for this speciality to be offered by institutions training medical specialists in Occupational Medicine. In addition, the Department of Health has made registrar training posts available and the HPCSA has provided training numbers for these posts. Health and Safety legislation in South Africa requires medical doctors working in occupational medicine to be trained at a postgraduate level. The aim of this qualification is to meet the needs for formal examination certification as well as to meet the standards, nationally for such qualifications. This qualification forms part of the credentialing process for medical doctors as Occupational Medicine Specialists. The Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine incorporates an important part of the formal training requirements for the speciality of Occupational Medicine.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules:

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Medicine, NQF Level 8.
Or

Bachelor of Surgery. NQF Level 8.
And

Registration with Health Professional Council as an independent practitioner.
and

A minimum of one-year post-community service experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Health Measurement (Descriptive), 16 Credits.

Health Measurement (Analytical). 16 Credits.

Intermediate Epidemiology, 16 Credits.

Research Methods and Bioethics, 16 Credits.

Research Dissertation, 164 Credits.

Occupational Medicine Clinical and Professional Practice I, 222 Credits.

Occupational Medicine Clinical and Professional Practice II, 270 Credits.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
The graduate will be a sound clinician and will display this through:

Appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with occupational injuries and diseases.

An in-depth understanding of occupational diseases causation and management

Correct interpretation of necessary investigations such as radiological investigations, lung function tests and toxicology reports used in the diagnosis and management of occupational injuries and diseases.

A competency in fitness, impairment and disability assessment and workplace accommodation and disability management of employees with occupational injuries and diseases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Students will conduct their own substantive research project following a critical review of the current literature. They will select, evaluate and refine hypotheses, develop hypotheses, set operational aims and objectives, compile methods for data collection and analysis and critically evaluate their results and limitations and discuss their implications for knowledge and implementation of preventive measures in the workplace. The standard will be a publishable article in a quality scientific journal. Communication of the results of the research will be assessed by means of a written report.

Graduates will have an understanding of research methodology, epidemiology and biostatistics and demonstrate this through the completion of their research dissertation.

Graduates will be familiar with occupational medical ethics and demonstrates this through the ethical conduct of their speciality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Graduates will be able to establish, monitor and evaluate medical surveillance programmes in the workplace.

Graduates will understand occupational hygiene principles and be able to conduct health risk assessments and report on these assessments.

Graduates will be able to design and set up and audit occupational health services in the private and public sectors.

Graduates will be able to provide an interpretation of the relevant South African occupational, compensation and labour laws with respect to employees and the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Graduates will have a sound understanding of health promotion and management of common community and lifestyle diseases in the workplace.

Graduates will understand Industrial Relations and demonstrate the use of the basic principles of industrial relations within the relevant institutional and workplace framework.

Graduates will know about disaster management and contribute to a disaster management plan tailored to the workplace, including provision for mass exposure and casualty scenarios.

Graduates will understand healthcare delivery systems and benefits management, in South Africa

Graduates will understand health information systems and be able to design clinics, workplaces, companies or regional record/health information systems for management, covering injuries and illnesses.

Graduates will display an understanding of environmental management and contribute to the environmental component of a safety, health and environment policy for workplaces (or regions or districts).

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Country: United States of America (USA)
Institution: University of California
Qualification Title: MPH or MS degree in Occupational and Environmental Health
Occupational Medicine Residency and Fellowship.
Duration: The UCSF Occupational Medicine Residency and Fellowship is an integrated two-year program

Entry requirements

Medical degree from an approved institution.

Qualification Structure
In the first year, trainees typically complete coursework to earn an MPH or MS degree while also participating in a weekly clinic and other UCSF clinical activities to meet ACGME requirements for four months of clinical activity per year.

For entering trainees who already have a Master's in Public Health or other equivalent degree other equivalent degrees,
the first-year curriculum will include a combination of clinical work (total of four months) as well as other non-clinical rotations.
The second year is devoted to a combination of clinical experience (four months), non-clinical rotations, and research.
All OEM trainees without an MPH or equivalent degree attend the UC Berkeley School of Public Health to obtain a master's degree (MPH) through its Interdisciplinary Studies track (in some cases an MPH in Epidemiology or an MS or MPH in Environmental Health Sciences. For this MPH a minimum of 42 credits are required and a passing score is required before applying for the Occupational Medicine component.

Country: United Kingdom (UK)
Institution: University of Manchester
Qualification Title: MSc (Occupational Medicine)
Duration: MSc - 1-year full-time or MSc - 2-3 years part-time.

Entry: A medical degree from an approved institution.
Integrated An integrated program of 8 compulsory modules and Dissertation (180 credits in total).
The 8 compulsory units/modules are:

Research methods & Data Analysis.

Management of Occupational Disease.

Understanding Physical Agents.

Aspects of Good Professional Behaviour.

Health & Workability.

Fitness to work.

Foundation for Postgrad Practice.

Occupational Health Management.
Dissertation in Occupational Medicine/Occupational Hygiene 80 credits.

The 8 compulsory units/modules are worth 15 credits each and the Dissertation is worth 80 credits.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Medicine in Public Health Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, NQF Level 10.

Doctor of Philosophy, 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.

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