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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117131  Master of Medicine in 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  Preventive 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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified appropriately trained professionals in Surgery 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:
This 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's lecturers. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is implemented through the University policy. For this Masters qualification RPL will be predominantly used for returning students with an incomplete Master's qualification and for students who have an incomplete Master's Degree obtained at another university. The RPL process involves matching the candidates' 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 candidate should be given credit for specific units of competency.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirements for admission into the Master's Degree studies are:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 900 credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 9:
  • Applied Anatomy for Surgical Disciplines 20 Credits.
  • General Principles of Surgery 160 Credits.
  • General Surgical Pathology 160 Credits.
  • General Physiology 20 Credits.
  • Mini-Dissertation 228 Credits.
  • General Surgery 312 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of disease processes related to Surgery.
    2. Perform and interpret Imaging in all modalities related to the practice of Surgery and to offer a specialised clinical opinion.
    3. Demonstrate the necessary skills required to initiate and manage a Surgery service.
    4. Use a wide range of specialised skills in Surgery to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems; and have an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the field of Surgery.
    5. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for Surgery and demonstrate an ability to develop his/her own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • 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 skills necessary for the interpretation of medical investigations.
  • Demonstrate competent and responsibility in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for this practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
  • Practice vidence-Based Medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applies it in practice relevant to Surgery.
  • Guide junior learners who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation of Surgery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • 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 than he or she is to treat certain condition where possible.
  • Demonstrate an 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.
  • Strive to 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 Surgery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level relevant to Surgery, 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: Surgery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • 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 social accountable 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.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical practice. Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification. Internal and external evaluation Continuous, formative assessments Formal end evaluations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification, presented by this institution, is comparable to similar national and 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 five-year residency qualification in general surgery that is accredited with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada. The qualification is designed to meet the objectives of core training in surgery and to provide for broad- based training in the specialty of general surgery. The qualification includes seminars, clinical rotations and research. The University of Helsinki, Finland, offers a specialist Degree 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 General Surgery 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 and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medical Science in Critical Care, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Vascular Surgery, NQF Level 9.

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