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:

Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111953	Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-09-03	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2034-06-30

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 this qualification is to develop a learner's competencies in the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The qualifying learner will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures and appropriate skills. The qualification will produce a well-rounded learner who will be capable of practicing as an orthotic and prosthetic clinician, developing and managing an orthotic or prosthetic clinic or a laboratory or providing services as a private practitioner. The learner will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and moving the orthotic and prosthetic professions forward.

Rationale:
The need for Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists was identified by the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health who approached the institution to provide this qualification to try to alleviate the huge demand for orthotic and prosthetic services in the Province and beyond. This Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics (BHSc (MOP)) will provide the much needed human resources in the profession of Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. The Health Professions Council of South Africa has endorsed this qualification.

Learners of this qualification will work independently as Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists, in either public and private sector, for example in hospitals where they will work as clinicians and or private consultants at department of Labour as well as private consultants. The qualification will offer specialised knowledge and skills in Orthotics and Prosthetics that will enable learners to be employable nationally as well as internationally.

The learning pathway available for these learners are the following:
Vertically: Masters in Orthotics or Prosthetics and Rehabilitation sciences.
Horizontally: Bachelor of Medical Sciences, and any other relevant Bachelor's qualifications.

The learners that will either hold a Diploma (three/four year's Diploma) in the areas of prosthetics, orthotics or Orthopaedic technology or have extensive experience in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics or technical/engineering and have recommendations from their employers may apply for admission to this qualification.

The Society will get specialised Medical Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Services e.g. provision of Orthoses and prostheses and rehabilitation services. Thus the qualification will enable persons with disabilities to engage in economic activities since their mobility is enhanced with the Orthoses and Prostheses. Learners who establish private Practices will create employment opportunities that will contribute to economic development.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The university uses the RPL Policy for learners who do not have a qualification. The institution admits learners who have experiences in Orthotics and prosthetics who have been working under supervision of registered MOP practitioner for a minimum of 5 years. The learners will provide evidence that they have gained experiences in the field. They need to provide a detailed Portfolio of Evidence.

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

National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.
Or

Diploma in Orthotics and Prosthetics, NQF Level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits:

Anatomy I, 12 Credits.

Mechanics, 8 Credits.

Mathematics, 8 Credits.

Engineering Drawing, 12 Credits.

Electronics and Electro technology, 8 Credits.

Computer and Graphical Communication, 8 Credits.

Orthotic and Prosthetic Laboratory Practice-I, 20 Credits.

Biomechanics I, 12 Credits.

Principles of Orthotics and Prosthetics-I, 14 Credits.

Physiology I, 8 Credits.

Experiential Learning, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits:

Psychology, 8 Credits.

Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice-I, 21 Credits.

Biomechanics II, 12 Credits.

Anatomy II, 12 Credits.

Physiology II, 8 Credits.

Rehabilitation, 8 Credits.

Pathology I, 8 Credits.

Clinical studies, 12 Credits.

Principles of Orthotics and Prosthetics II, 21 Credits.

Experiential Learning II, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits:

Anatomy III, 12 Credits.

Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD CAM), 8 Credits.

Biomechanics III, 14 Credits.

Ethics and Medical Laws I, 8 Credits.

Upper Limb Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice, 26 Credits.

Spinal Orthotics Clinical Practice, 8 Credits.

Pathology II, 8 Credits.

Research Methodology and Statistics, 12 Credits.

Business Management I, 8 Credits.

Experiential Learning III, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8:

Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice IV, 24 Credits.

Elective, 16 Credits.

Research Project, 20 Credits.

Business Management II, 16 Credits.

Ethics and Medical Law II, 24 Credits.

Experiential Learning IV, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate effective communication and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which medical orthotic and prosthetic practitioners operate while maintaining personal health, wellness and safety.
2. Independently assess, prescribe, practice, supervise, evaluate and facilitate the provision of medical orthotic and prosthetic care to the community, utilising specialised strategies and technologies.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa and provide operational and clinical supervision within an orthotic and prosthetic environment.
4. Become a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner within the medical orthotic and prosthetic profession and changing health care environments.
5. Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively in the provision of optimal clinical care to patients.
6. Understand the world as a set of related systems is indicated in the cultural sensitivity applied when dealing with patients, colleagues and communities.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate professional carriage, behaviour and attitudes in all academic and clinical settings.

Demonstrate optimal expertise and critical knowledge in fundamental and core modules.

Demonstrate intellectual and clinical independence while ensuring safety of self and others.

Demonstrate awareness of the consequences of own decisions and actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human and sciences underpinning medical orthotic and prosthetic care.

Apply and transfer techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts within the health sciences environment and develop new methods, where appropriate.

Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems within the Health Sciences environment.

Demonstrate competence in all applications consistently.

Provide in-service education and training in medical orthotic and prosthetic care.

Provide independent, specialised orthotic and prosthetic services to all appropriate sectors of the community.

Apply management, education and research skills during independent practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3:

Show an understanding of the position of medical orthotics and prosthetics within the South African Health care system.

Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of medical orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa.

Provide operational and clinical supervision within a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.

Demonstrate skills and a capacity for quality assurance in a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Develop research skills and conduct research in medical orthotics and prosthetics in a multidisciplinary health care environment.

Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of the field.

Conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice in medical orthotics and prosthetics.

Demonstrate research leadership and management of research and research development in an ethical and accountable manner in Health Sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information for the assessment and treatment of patients.

Demonstrate effective communication, using visual and language skills orally or in writing through the successful treatment or handover of patients for other services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Demonstrate team work effectively by working with others and in the context of providing services effectively or moving knowledge forward.

Integrated Assessment:

Two assessment tasks will contribute to the semester mark (DP) which contributes 60% of the final module mark, and the final examination contributes 40% of the final mark. Continuous assessment is used to assess learners on Experiential Learning, elective and the Research project.

These Modules are assessed continuously, and thus have no examination. The supervisors (Preceptors) do continuous assessment of the learner and give marks for the work done. The average of these preceptor marks form the final module marks.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is in line with the norms and standards of practice as regulated by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

This qualification is comparable with international, regional and national Bachelor's qualifications in the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics. The qualification can articulate with Master in Orthotics and Prosthetics. This qualification compares with the four year BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics qualifications offered by the Strathclyde University in Glasgow, of Scotland, UK. It also compares with the BSc Orthotics and Prosthetics offered over four years, by the Tumaini University of Tanzania. Another qualification that compares with the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics is that of La Trobe University in Australia. Their BSc Orthotics and Prosthetics is over a minimum duration of four years on a full-time basis.

The similarity is in terms of the contents of the core modules of these qualifications. The naming of the modules may differ, as they do in some instances in all these universities. For instance, the module named Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics in this qualification is Human Biosciences the three universities.

Furthermore, the comparison is in terms of the purpose or aim of these qualifications at various universities. The detailed comparability analysis is as follows:

Strathclyde University in Glasgow offers a BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics. The BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics is a global, multidisciplinary, qualification aiming to improve the quality of life for persons who may benefit from prosthetic, orthotic, mobility and assistive devices, practices, and education associated with the provision of prosthetic and orthotic care, rehabilitation engineering, and related areas. Prosthetics and Orthoptists learners will rehabilitate those who require external medical devices to enhance movement and function. Prosthetics and orthotics services enable people with limb amputations or physical impairments of their limbs or spine to achieve greater function and independence to participate in society.

La Trobe University in Australia offers a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours). Learners will:
> Learn the theoretical basis and clinical practice of prosthetic and orthotic management, including treatment, assessment and prescriptions in children and adults.
> Gain an appreciation for research in prosthetics and orthotics by examining research designs, data, and how it translates to consumers.
> Practice the assessment, prescription, manufacture and fit of prostheses and orthoses in a variety of clinical environments.

Tumaini University in Tanzania offers a BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics. Learners will gain professional competence in clinical practice in Prosthetics and Orthotics Science. The learners will engage with a broad range of modules that include Physical and Clinical assessment and examination of patients with neuro-muscular-skeletal deficiencies. The BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics also includes prescription and design of component, fabrication, delivery and follow up of the orthopaedic appliances.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Physiotherapy in Orthopaedics, NQF Level 9.

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