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 Family Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112344  Master of Medicine in Family Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
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  480  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 Master of Medicine in Family Medicine produces learners who can:
  • Effectively manage him/herself, his/her team and his/her practice, in any sector, with visionary leadership and self-awareness, to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based care.
  • Evaluate and manage patients with both undifferentiated and more specific problems cost-effectively according to the bio-psycho-social approach.
  • Facilitate the health and quality of life of the community.
  • Facilitate the learning of others regarding the discipline of family medicine, primary health care, and other health-related matters.
  • Conduct all aspects of health care in an ethical and professional manner.
  • Conduct appropriate scientific research in the primary care setting to enhance health outcomes and health education.

    Rationale:
    This qualification produces Family Physicians equipped with the necessary scientific and professional knowledge, skills and attitudes to deal with health problems at primary and secondary levels of care in a holistic manner in both public and private sector.

    The qualifications produce Family Physicians who deliver comprehensive, cost-effective patient care using the biopsychosocial model that includes promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health care.

    The qualification enhances links between doctors and rural communities using the service-learning concept. It fosters a culture of lifelong learning to learners.

    The qualification further provides the learners with teaching and research skills of internationally accepted standards.

    This qualification provides South Africa with specialist Family Physicians of International standards, who can serve the rural and urban population of the country. This improves the quality of health service delivery of the entire country. The qualification encourages doctors to engage with communities towards Sustainable Development Goals. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning does not apply to this qualification because it is a Professional Specialist qualification. The College of Medicine of South Africa approves training to only HPCSA registered medical practitioners for this Professional training.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification 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 and two years in an approved primary health care setting. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 480 Credits:
  • Foundations of Family Medicine, 30 Credits.
  • Medical Ethics, Research Methods, 30 Credits.
  • Clinical Family Medicine 1, 60 Credits.
  • Evidenced-Based Medicine, 20 Credits.
  • Whole Person Medicine and Family Oriented Primary Health Care, 20 Credits.
  • Community Oriented Primary Health Care, 20, Credits.
  • Clinical Family Medicine II, 60 Credits.
  • Leadership and Governance, 30 Credits.
  • Teaching and Learning, 30 Credits.
  • Clinical Family Medicine III, 60 Credits.
  • Clinical Family Medicine IV, 60 Credits.
  • Research Project -Dissertation, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Effectively manage him/herself, his/her team and his/her practice, in any sector, with visionary leadership and self-awareness, to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based care.
    2. Evaluate and manage patients with both undifferentiated and more specific problems cost-effectively according to the bio-psycho-social approach.
    3. Facilitate the health and quality of life of the family and community.
    4. Facilitate the learning of others regarding the discipline of family medicine, primary health care, and other health-related matters.
    5. Conduct all aspects of health care ethically and professionally.
    6. Learn scientific research methodology, implement a research project and write a mini dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
  • Patient presentations.
  • Patient study (assignments).
  • Logbook.
  • Observe clinical consultations.
  • Observe clinical procedures.
  • On line group discussion.
  • Videotaped patient consultation.
  • Observe family conference
  • Reflect on clinical encounters (assignment).
  • Develop learning plans.
  • Observe teaching sessions to the undergraduate le/ health care team.
  • Observe of professional.
  • Attributes and ethical practice.
  • Portfolio.
  • Writing a research concept paper and a research proposal.

    Summative assessment:
  • Objective Structured Clinical - Examination (OSCE).
  • Modified Essay Question (MEQ).
  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
  • Journal Article Appraisal. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) is offered by the Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom. The vocational training takers five years and has an integrated assessment system, success in which confirms that a doctor has satisfactorily completed speciality training for general practice, and is competent to enter independent practice in the United Kingdom without further supervision. Satisfactory completion of the MRCGP is a pre-requisite for the issue of a certificate of completion of training and full Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

    Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners enables doctors to complete three years of specialist training and examinations to become (work for two years as a house officer (supervised junior doctor) a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

    The College of Family Physicians of Canada enables family medicine residencies a programme of three years of diagnosing and treating hospital and clinic patients under the observation of established doctors. Family medicine residency programmes focus on the types of ailments and procedures that family doctors typically encounter in patients. The Residents will complete clinical rotations in areas including critical care, paediatrics, dermatology, sports medicine and cardiology. Residency training also includes didactic learning opportunities, such as seminars and conferences. 

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

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Health Professions Education, NQF Level 9
  • Master of Philosophy in Community Mental Health, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Family Medicine, 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.