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
119846  Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
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  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
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 overall purpose of the Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology qualification is to train specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists with the capacity to offer both primary and tertiary, state-of-the art and ethically sound obstetric and reproductive care, and to teach both undergraduate and postgraduate learners, as well as supervise interns and medical officers.

The qualifying learner will have knowledge of the scientific principles of obstetrics and gynaecology (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, ethics) as well as mastery of clinical obstetrics and gynaecology along with the surgical aspects of these disciplines. The learner will also acquire advanced skills in imaging and non-invasive surgery. The learner will also be provided with research skills and will have to submit a mini dissertation in compliance with the university's postgraduate policies before being registered as a specialist.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Discuss, evaluate, and diagnose patients with disorders in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with high ethical standards.
  • Conduct the clinical and surgical management of Obstetric and Gynaecological conditions.
  • Design and conduct interventions to facilitate the health and quality of life of women.
  • Teach MBChB learners and mentor junior registrars.
  • Extract scientific information from journals and databases and appraise scientific articles.
  • Conduct a scientific topic review and propose a study design for a research question in the discipline, implement the research project and write a mini dissertation.

    Rationale:
    There is a great need for specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to provide care for pregnant women and to provide reproductive health to both adults and children.
    The training is offered only after the Health Professional Council of South Africa approves and accredits the training programme.
    The typical learner is a medical doctor who has completed internship training and community service and is registered by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa as a medical officer (independent practice). Once they complete the training, they will be registered as medical specialists and will practice both in the public and private sectors.
    The training is a minimum of 4 years and involves a gradual introduction to various aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology.
    The qualification enables the learner to practice as a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology. Society benefits from the expertise of the specialist. The economy benefits from healthier women. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Complementary Medicine in Unani-Tibb Medicine, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9,480 Credits:
  • Reproductive anatomy, 20 Credits.
  • Reproductive endocrinology and physiology, 20 Credits.
  • Anatomical pathology, microbiology, 20 Credits.
  • Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 20 Credits.
  • Basic research methodology and biostatistics, 20 Credits.
  • Ethics, 20 Credits.
  • Gynaecology, 150 Credits.
  • Obstetrics, 150 Credit.
  • Research and mini dissertation, 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 60 Credits:
  • Clinical epidemiology, 20 Credits.
  • Primary health care, 20 Credits.
  • Practice management, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Discuss, evaluate, and diagnose patients with disorders in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with high ethical standards.
    2. Conduct the clinical and surgical management of Obstetric and Gynaecological conditions.
    3. Design and conduct interventions to facilitate the health and quality of life of women.
    4. Apply methods and procedures to enable engagement with and critique of current research in learners and mentor junior registrars.
    5. Access, process and manage information from journals and databases and appraise scientific articles.
    6. Conduct a scientific topic review and propose a study design for a research question in the discipline, implement the research project and write a mini dissertation.
    7. Demonstrate independence self-direction and creativity in solving problems.
    8. Communicate and plan informative presentations and professionally convey them to colleagues, staff, and the scientific community.
    9. Collect, analyse, organize, and critically evaluate information and able to generate answers to clinical and administrative challenges.
    10. Practice cultural sensitivity across a range of social contexts.
    11. Reflect and learn ethical and professional ethics from his or her experiences. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Formative assessment of learners is carried out continuously. Knowledge, attitudes, skills and values are evaluated by the tutors during the work-integrated learning.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Primarily, the written examination (2 papers) for all learners in all South African training institutions.
  • Part II has written and clinical examinations (OSCE, OSPE) that are common for all learners in all South Africa.
    as per Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA)-regulations.
  • Mini dissertation examined by one internal examiner, and one external examiner, as per the Institution's postgraduate and research rules and regulations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This program compares favourably with qualifications offered in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several African countries such as Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. They are all offered as training at master's level and are usually regulated by a professional body which in most instances works in association with large regional associations which follow common standards.

    The specialist training in the United States of America (USA) for Obstetrics and Gynaecology is four years in duration. The rotations are also divided between obstetrics, gynaecology, gynaecologic oncology, female pelvic medicine, and reconstructive surgery), maternal-foetal medicine, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Primary care, emergency, medicine, ultrasound, minimally invasive surgery and family planning. The program is also nationally regulated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG).

    The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada regulates this specialization for the country based on a five-year program with quite a similar modular structure and the same outcomes and competences as the one we propose in this application. They also recognized training certified by the ACOG.

    The proposed qualification is also comparable with that of the United Kingdom. Also regulated by their professional body (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) with duration and similar exam written and clinical exams to evaluate the exit outcomes.

    A similar specialisation program is also used in Nigeria, where training requires 4.5 years following similar work-based training and assessment structure of primary exams for junior level and secondary exams for clinical competency, regulated by the professional body.

    This qualification compares favourably with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally. learners of this qualification will be able to work independently within the country, within the continent and worldwide. The staff members involved are recognised nationally and internationally as authorities in their fields of specialisation.
    They participate as moderators and examiners in the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa - the bench marking institution for specialist training in South Africa. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Gynaecological Oncology, NQF Level 9.
  • Magister of Medicine in Medical Genetics, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Medical Microbiology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medicine in Medical Oncology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medicine in Neurology, 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.