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 Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117121  Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to produce qualified and appropriately trained professionals in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for South Africa with the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to register as specialists with the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Rationale:
The qualification 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 institution lecturer. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is implemented through the institutional policy. For this qualification, RPL will be predominantly used for returning learners with an incomplete master's qualification and for learners who have an incomplete master's qualification from another institution. The RPL process involves matching the learner's current knowledge and skills to the learning outcomes of the qualification - which are nationally recognised qualifications registered on the NQF to determine whether a returning learner should be given credit for specific units of competency.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Applied Anatomy for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 20 Credits.
  • General Physiology, 20 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), 180 Credits.
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 500 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate competence in clinical and surgical skills at the specialist level.
    2. Demonstrate expertise in research and the ability to evaluate, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
    3. Show ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of surgical specialist practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
    4. Display knowledge of the principles and practice of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the basic to the advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.
    5. Demonstrate self direction and independence in own learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate own progress. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
  • Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient and other health care workers as a team.
  • Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  • Show competency and responsibility in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for the practice.
  • Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
  • Practice Evidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice.
  • Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.
  • Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.
  • Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified to treat certain conditions.
  • Demonstrate awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
  • Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
  • Improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  • Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to the advanced level to other professionals.
  • Communicate knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising interns and more junior colleagues in the speciality.
  • Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible citizen.
  • Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
  • Identify personal limitations and develops the capacity of self-audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, design and critically appraise analytical writing, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a professional orientation, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a particular profession.

    The research component of forms an integral part of this qualification in that a problem within the research focus of the division is studied in more detail. Learners must produce a mini-dissertation and a publishable ready article for assessment by internal and external examiners as per the institution's assessment policy. All assessment is in alignment with the institution's rules and the assessment policy of learner's learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to similar international qualifications. The Competency Framework for this qualification is derived from the CanMeds Standards. These standards have been adopted in Canada. The University of Calgary, Canada, offers a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada accredited residency programme in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The is a five-year qualification with the first year being a general clinical medicine programme followed by four years of specialised obstetric and gynaecological training which includes clinical rotations, seminars and research. The outcomes of the qualification are very similar in expected competencies and knowledge requirements.

    The University of Helsinki, Finland, offers a specialist qualification in medicine that can be taken by professionals licensed by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Specialist Medical Training in the discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Helsinki in Finland requires at least 5 to 6 years of medical practice including 9 months of service in public health stations, passing theoretical and administrative courses and passing the national exam. In addition to the specialist medicine training, a specialist physician should learn the specialized surgical techniques and tissue handling as required by the specialisation. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Reproductive Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Gynaecological Oncology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medical Science in Critical Care, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 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.
     
    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.