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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112428  Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology 
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  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  540  Not Applicable  Level TBA:Pre-2009 was L8+  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 Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology is a 4-year qualification that offers complete training in the specialty of Anatomical Pathology. The purpose of the qualification is to equip a learner with specialised knowledge, as well as skills and attitudes required, in order for the learner to be able to function as an independent practitioner in the specialty, within any service-providing and/or academic environment, as well as to address the problem of shortage of skills in the country and especially in underserved areas.

The learner will be able to carry out medical research, to manage/supervise various aspect of the work in the Anatomical Pathology/Histopathology/Cytology Department including aspects of quality assurance, health and safety.

The learner will be able:
  • To provide excellent specialist service in the area of specialisation.
  • To teach undergraduate and postgraduate learners.
  • To carry out medical research and publish the results.
  • To be a self-directed and life-long learner.

    Rationale:
    The qualification focuses on training specialists and academics in the field of Anatomical Pathology/Histopathology/Cytology to alleviate shortage of pathologists in the country. There is a gross shortage of specialist in the field of anatomical pathology/histopathology/cytology especially in the governmental institutions that if deepened, endangers the renewal of the work force, by depleting the pool of specialists. In fulfilment of this need, the Health Professions Council of South Africa has increased the number of registrars per specialists that can be trained.

    The competence and critical intellectual abilities will ensure the future advancement of Anatomical Pathology and to make provision for the country's need for a skilled workforce of the highest calibre and to ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of growing global competition. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    A learner who has passed parts I of the College of Pathology SA or of MMed. from another University in South Africa may be admitted subject to the rules and requirements of this university and/or the NHLS pertaining to the transfer of a student or registrar from one academic institution to another. FC Path from the College of Medicine of South Africa is recognised for the purpose of awarding of MMed Degree in Anatomical Pathology with a research component.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Must be registered as, or must be eligible for registration as a Medical Practitioner with the HPCSA.
    And
  • Must finish an internship training or any other duty required by the Department of Health. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 540 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 540 Credits:
  • Applied Anatomy, Histology and Physiological Science, 20 Credits.
  • Basic pathology, 60 Credits.
  • Basic histopathology (techniques, diagnosis), 30 Credits.
  • Research methodology, 10 Credits.
  • Autopsy - technique, gross diagnosis and principles of Forensic Pathology, 20 Credits.
  • Laboratory Practice (to understand the principles of laboratory Management), 10 Credits.
  • Good Laboratory Practice and Ethics (law and ethics relating to Laboratory practice), 10 Credits.
  • Anatomical Pathology Part I, 30 Credits.
  • Cytopathology, 60 Credits.
  • Anatomical Pathology Part II, 180 Credits.
  • Neuropathology, 15 Credits.
  • Renal Pathology, 15 Credits.
  • Relevant molecular techniques supporting morphological diagnosis (as e.g. PCR, FISH), 10 Credits.
  • Basic knowledge medical informatics and tele-pathology, 10 Credits.
  • Research Project (mini-dissertation or Equivalent), 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems in such a way that it will be clear that responsible and creative decisions are reached by way of critical and creative thinking.
    2. Effectively co-operate with other people as member of a health team.
    3. Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities in a responsible and efficient manner.
    4. Collect, analyse, organise, critically evaluate and apply information, including the habit of frequent referral to bench books and all other possible sources in relation to their diagnostic work.
    5. Communicate effectively by way of oral or written debate, including the ability to use current information technology and to present and defend the data in a scientific and accountable.
    6. Utilise science and technology effectively and critically, but always in a manner which demonstrates responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.
    7. Research projects/assignment.
    8. Demonstrate knowledge of Academic presentations, Journal club, Reporting of cases, Teaching. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment is appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. The assessment will consist of a comprehensive written, oral and clinical examination at the end of the qualification with the purpose of assessing the student's ability to integrate the work done in the different modules and disciplines of the qualification. The qualification Part II assessment is a fully integrated assessment that comprises written, practical, interactive, and oral components. The main purpose of this assessment is to ensure that the learner has acquired the necessary skills and attitudes required as a specialist in Anatomical Pathology, at least in agreement with the requirements of the HPCSA, in order for the learner to be able to function as an independent practitioner in the relevant speciality within any service providing and academic environment.

    A written assignment or publication (suitable for presentation to or already accepted by a peer-reviewed journal) on a relevant research project is required as part of the final examination, to evaluate the learner's ability to plan and execute a research project, perform a literature survey, apply elementary statistical principles and reach a meaningful conclusion. The learner will thus have to prove that he/she has developed independent and critical judgement, the ability to discuss existing and newly discovered knowledge in a meaningful way and that the research will contribute to existing knowledge.

    Continuous integrated formative assessment through the routine practice of all aspects of Anatomical Pathology, clinical cases, departmental and inter-departmental meetings, as well as annual feedback by progress reports to and interviews with learners, also form part of the integrated assessment. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to training in United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Australia. In the UK pathologists are medical doctors registered with the UK General Medical Council. They will have completed an undergraduate medical education which lasts 5/6 years. UK-trained doctors will have then completed a two-year foundation programme. The training to become a pathologist is under the oversight of the Royal College of Pathologists. Typically, a one-year training attachment is followed by an aptitude test. This is followed by further specialist training in surgical pathology, cytopathology, and post mortem pathology. There are two examinations run by the Royal College of Pathologists termed Part 1 and Part 2. The Part 2 examination is designed to test competence to work as an independent practitioner in pathology and is typically taken after 5 years specialist training. All postgraduate medical training and education in the UK is overseen by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. It is planned that this board will merge with the General Medical Council in the near future. It is possible to take a specialist part 2 examinations in paediatric pathology or neuropathology. It is possible to take a special Diploma in Dermatopathology or Cytopathology, recognising additional specialist training and expertise.

    In the United States, pathologists are physicians that have completed a four-year undergraduate qualification, four years of medical school training, and three to four years of postgraduate training in the form of a pathology residency. Training may be within two primary specialties, as recognised by the American Board of Pathology: Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical Pathology, each of which requires separate board certification. Many pathologists seek a broad-based training and become certified in both fields. These skills are complementary in many hospital-based private practice settings, since the day-to-day work of many clinical laboratories only requires the intermittent attention of a physician. Thus, pathologists are able to spend much of their time evaluating anatomic pathology cases, while remaining available to cover any special issues which might arise in the clinical laboratories. Pathologists may pursue specialised fellowship training within one or more sub-specialties of either anatomic or clinical pathology. Some of these sub-specialities permit additional board certification, while others do not. 

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

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

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomical 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.