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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112429  Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery 
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 0427/24  2024-10-03  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 the Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery is to allow the learner to attain competency in the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary for effective clinical practice as a specialist paediatric surgeon and thus render the learner eligible for registration with the HPCSA in the specialist category.

In line with the HEQSF, the primary purpose of this professional Master's Degree in Paediatric surgery is to:
  • Provide knowledge and skills necessary to equip learners for professional clinical service in the context of the health needs of the paediatric population.
  • Produce learners who are socially accountable to communities that they serve.
  • Provide learners with specialised knowledge and competence in science and clinical practice in specialist clinical disciplines to enable registration with the HPCSA as a specialist in paediatric surgery.
  • Prepare learners to contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge at an advanced level by fostering scholarship, and intellectual independence, equipping them with personal, analytical, technical knowledge and skills which is relevant to advance specialist clinical practice and research within the professional and academic community.
  • Produce learners who are competent for admission to Doctoral qualifications.
  • Prepare the learner for a life of self-directed continuing learning, reflective practise and professional development.

    Rationale:
    There is a national need for learners who meet the requirements to be able to register as paediatric surgery specialists with the HPCSA. This specialisation will allow them to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our paediatric population. Such learners are required to possess a high level of competence and specialised skill in this clinical discipline and they should possess generic competencies in a range of defined domains such as communication, collaboration, management and leadership to facilitate efficient functioning in the clinical environment of tertiary academic hospitals. Their analytical and synthesis skills, an understanding of scientific enquiry, scholarship and research is important to advance the discipline of academic medicine. This qualification is positioned in order to meet these needs. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL is only applicable for the Research component of the Degree. The Research component is recognised for learners who have already completed a Master of Medical Science (Surgery or surgical specialities).

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • MBChB, Level 8 or equivalent.
  • Two year's experience.
  • Meet HPCSA requirements. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
  • Research project,164 Credits.
  • Clinical and Professional Practice I, 270 Credits.
  • Clinical and Professional practice II, 270 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Clinical Competence:
    1. Show clinical competence in diagnosis and management of disorders appropriate to the discipline.
    2. Demonstrate competence in procedures.
    3. Ensure maintenance of high ethical standards in practice and research.
    4. Benchmark clinical practice against international standards, using available evidence Scholarship.
    5. Demonstrate academic literacy in terms of critical thinking, the ability to access appropriate learning resources, formulate a research proposal, conduct the research and communicate the findings to the academic community. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment for Criteria Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Interact with text (oral and written) through critical listening/reading skills.
  • Produce texts which integrate information from different sources using appropriate academic and professional conventions.
  • nterpret and generate numerical data in various formats.
  • Apply numerical data to research and clinical practice.
  • Take a medical history at a level appropriate to the specialty and communicate the findings and treatment options effectively with the patient and referring doctor.
  • Determine signs and symptoms of disease or injury and perform advanced physical examination appropriate to the level of a specialist field.
  • Use cost-effective investigations which provide sufficient relevant information to aid diagnosis.
  • Gather information from various sources, reflect critically on knowledge and information and in consultation with the patient and other health care professions (where appropriate) plan and implement to completion a treatment option.
  • Initiate and complete a research project.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners are subjected to continuous assessment by their clinical and academic supervisors. They are interviewed at the end of each clinical rotation and are interviewed twice-yearly by the Head of Discipline or designated senior academic staff. All assessments are recorded in a portfolio of learning.

    The Part 2 examination of the relevant constituent College of the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) constitutes the summative assessment for this module. Learners' competence is assessed through:
  • Two written papers.
  • An Objective Structured Clinical Exam.
  • Two viva voce examinations.
  • Clinical cases presentations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is in line with the qualification required to become a paediatric surgeon in the United Kingdom. The UK qualification is offered by the British Association for Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS) and is known as the Royal Fellowship with the British Association for Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS).

    The Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery, Level 9 is similar to the Royal Fellowship with the British Association for Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS) qualification in terms of the following:
  • All organised learning events have a scientific and/or educational purpose.
  • The activity contributes to continuous professional learning.
  • The course addresses clear learning need in terms of knowledge, skills and developing personal attributes to function as a Paediatric Surgeon.
  • The learning outcomes are specifically defined and appropriate to work in the clinical environment.
  • The teaching methods used to achieve the stated outcomes are relevant to the defined learning outcomes.
  • The consultants/supervisors have proven relevant expertise to lead/assess junior doctors.
  • The presenters/teachers/facilitators have proven relevant expertise, skills and knowledge.
  • Effective assessment processes are in place (clinical and professional portfolios and College examinations to be passed).
  • Records are kept of attendance, surgical experience, competence and progress which must be provided on request.
  • Entry requirements into fellowship requires basic knowledge and expertise as a General or specialised surgeon as does the Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery, Level 9 which requires 6 months experience as a General surgeon, having passed Part 1 (knowledge assessment) of Anatomy and Physiology as Surgeon. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Masters of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Level 9
  • Master of Medicine in Trauma, Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology, Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Vascular Surgery, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Paediatrics, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Paediatrics, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Surgery, 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.