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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117108  Master of Medicine in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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  180  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 
The purpose of the Master of Medicine in Cardio-Thoracic qualification is to produce learners with specialist training in Cardiothoracic Surgery, who are a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. It is also to produce learners with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of Cardiothoracic Surgery specialisation and the ability to guide junior learners if the learner is in an educational setting usually as a component of work-integrated learning. Hence, the learners have competence in the practice of Cardio-thoracic Surgery and can contribute to the need for specialist practice in the health sciences in South Africa.

This qualification focuses specifically on Cardiothoracic Surgery and provides learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes. The qualification is following the guidelines of the HPCSA and the College of Medicine of South Africa.

The qualification aims to provide learners with the foundation for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and for contributing to society at large through advanced patient care, innovation, scholarship and leadership in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Rationale:
As indicated under purpose, the burden of disease in SA is both in communicable and non-communicable disease. The disease spectra in both areas are quite varied, as evidenced in the scope and standards of cardiothoracic surgical practice. Cardiothoracic surgical interventions arise in all these areas. A rise in obesity and diabetes warrants that a well-trained cardiothoracic surgeon is available to treat ischaemic heart disease in its different forms. An increase in cancers, especially in and on the chest requires a cardiothoracic surgeon well trained to treat these conditions surgically. The burden of HIV/AIDS is not decreasing currently. Together with it comes the increase in PTB, vascular complications like an aneurysm, etc., that require cardiothoracic intervention.

In Africa, rheumatic heart disease and valvular heart disease is still a real problem that requires the intervention of a cardiothoracic surgeon. Life expectancy has increased in South Africa, and therefore, age-related cardiovascular diseases are also on the increase. Hence the need for a cardiothoracic surgeon to deal with these problems. CT-surgery, as the HPCSA, regulates any medical qualification.

This qualification contributes to the drive to revitalise clinical research in a developing country like South Africa to enhance health care at all levels by identifying the causes of problems, facilitating diagnosis, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care, and promoting good policy-making. The clinical research and training force is ageing and has also been steadily declining in numbers since the early 1990s. The combined burden of clinical teaching and training, health service and research thus fall on a shrinking and ageing pool of academics in health science faculties. The Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery improves the capacity to increase the production of properly trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and university teachers.

A higher level of responsiveness to diverse regional and national human resources, skills and knowledge needs in healthcare provision, in particular for rural areas and the public sector which is in line with the social accountability focus of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Holders of a Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery will be greatly needed for the implementation of the NHI to ensure equitable health care for all. Presented by experts in the field and based on the syllabus of the Colleges of Medicine in South Africa (CMSA), it will contribute towards the special medical qualification and to the scientific and intellectual capacity of our country and beyond. The successful learners will meet the specific needs of the medical profession, academia, the public sector, as well as the private sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Registration with Health Professions Council of South Africa.
    And
  • Appointment to a Registrar's post recognised by the HPCSA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9, totalling 900 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Applied Anatomy for Surgical Discipline, 20 Credits.
  • General Physiology, 20 Credits.
  • General Surgical Pathology, 180 Credits.
  • General Principles of Surgery with emphasis on Intensive Care, 160 Credits.
  • Thoracic Surgery, 160 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a complex and specialised area.
  • Demonstrate expertise in highly specialised technical and advanced research skills.
  • Create responses to abstract problems that either expand or redefine existing knowledge.
  • Conduct research independently.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Engage in lifelong learning. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to function and practice as a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon.
  • Solve common and uncommon patient problems using a variety of specialised technical skills.
  • Resolve contextual and abstract problems at an individual and a community level.
  • Present a dissertation on research conducted.
  • Participate in teaching seminars.
  • Participate in the maintenance of professional competence continuously.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and skills following standards laid down by the University and Professional Board through Clinical performance such as written, oral, practical/clinical examinations and Research report. The integrated assessment will contain the following:
  • Continuous Assessment.
  • Case studies.
  • Projects.
  • Practical Assignments.
  • Oral presentations.
  • Written and oral tests and examinations.
  • Dissertation.
  • Publications in refereed scientific journals.

    There is moderation and the assessment documents to ensure that:
  • They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
  • The construction is in a way that the assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

    Assessments:
  • Include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure the achievement of Foundational Competency.
  • Are verified by internal verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.
  • The research component of the qualification studies a problem within the research focus of the division in more detail. Learners must produce a mini-dissertation and a publishable ready article for assessment by internal and external examiners as per the university rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers possibilities of vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Cardiology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medicine in Surgery, NQF Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Surgery, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine, 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.
     
    1. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 


    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.