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 Cardiothoracic Surgery

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
122881	Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu 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
Registered		EXCO 0527/24	2024-10-03	2027-10-03
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-10-03		2031-10-03

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 Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery is to provide learners with skills in diagnosis, investigations, perioperative planning, operative technique, postoperative management, and follow-up of cardiothoracic surgical patients. Learners will be equipped with knowledge of the health systems, the health environment and its impact on cardiothoracic surgery service delivery and outcomes of these conditions. Other skills that will be taught include the echocardiographic and catheter-based diagnosis of cardiothoracic surgical conditions.

The qualification will attract candidates from South Africa as well as Southern African Developing Countries (SADC). The needs of the South African population demand that registrars in Cardiothoracic Surgery must be well grounded in general practice with knowledge, understanding and skills in a variety of pathological conditions. This qualification is intended to meet these demands.

Graduates of this qualification will be clinicians, managers, researchers and academics who will have good listening and counselling skills and can apply these skills in the private, public, academic and research fields with good balance and versatility of these skills across these different working environments.

Successful completion of the qualification will enable learners to meet the requirements of the Fellowship of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa Examination and the Master of Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery Dissertation Examination, as required by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and register as a specialist cardiothoracic surgeon who can practice independently. The qualification is approved by the HPCSA.

Rationale:
The current South African Human Resources Health Plan highlights a need for the training of more specialists. There are only 130 registered cardiothoracic surgeons in South Africa, and only 24% of them provide full-time public service. There is a shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons in the country with an increasing burden of disease.

The institution mainly comprises of rural disadvantaged communities of the Eastern Cape. The qualification will offer an opportunity for young black doctors of the province to avoid migrating from the province to become Specialists in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

The qualification will not only contribute to the national development of the services but also, during and after training, will enhance the Cardiothoracic services provided to the regional population, which is currently even more critical given the largely rural settings of the Eastern Cape province.

This qualification will be responsive to the local, regional, national, and global development of health priorities lending learners' competencies to deal with clinical diagnostics situations that will improve the healthcare system. In addition, the economy benefits from the improved life of the community, reducing mortality due to cardiovascular and other thoracic conditions. The qualification will also create a pathway for medical doctors to develop as specialists and to further progress to Doctoral studies in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned with the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible for a candidate who has passed a Part 1 examination in General Surgery via the College of Surgeons of South Africa.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
And

Registered as a Medical Practitioner (Independent practice) with HPCSA in South Africa And

Have completed two years of internship and one year of community service.

A Foreign qualified medical doctor should possess an MBChB equivalent degree as per the SAQA certificate of evaluation and be registered by the HPCSA as a medical practitioner under the category of Postgraduate studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 600 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 600 Credits:

Basic Sciences, 120 Credits.

Thoracic Surgical, 120 Credits.

Adult Cardiac Surgical, 120 Credits.

Congenital Cardiac Surgical, 120 Credits.

Final research dissertation, 120 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and manage patients with cardiothoracic conditions through advanced medical and surgical methods.
2. Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyse, organise, critically evaluate information, and generate creative solutions to clinical and administrative challenges.
3. Demonstrate the ability to conduct all aspects of cardiothoracic care ethically and professionally.
4. Communicate effectively and professionally with the patient, the patient's family, the health care team, and the community.
5. Conduct appropriate scientific research in the cardiothoracic field.
6. Communicate effectively through oral or written debate, including using current information technology and presenting and defending information in a scientific and accountable manner.
7. Demonstrate the ability to train undergraduate medical learners and junior staff.
8. Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage themself, their team, and their practice, in any sector, with visionary leadership and self-awareness to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based care.
9. Reflect on their learning and learn from their experiences.
10. Demonstrate the ability to utilise technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others, including patients and colleagues.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

Evaluate and manage Cardiothoracic conditions through advanced medical and surgical methods.

Critically evaluate information to generate creative solutions to clinical and administrative challenges.

Ethically and professionally conduct cardiothoracic care.

Effectively and professionally communicate with the patient, patient's family, health care team and the community.

Conduct appropriate scientific research in an ethical manner in the cardiothoracic field.

Use written and oral debates as tools to communicate effectively.

Apply current information and technology to present and defend information in a scientific and accountable manner.

Mentor undergraduate medical learners and junior staff.

Effectively manage visionary leadership and self-awareness to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based care.

Use experiences as learning opportunities and critically reflect on learning.

Effectively utilise technology to show responsibility towards the environment and health of others including patients and colleagues.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares favourably with similar qualifications offered internationally. The College of Medicine of South Africa conducts international benchmarking for specialist training in South Africa.

Country: United States of America
Institution: Indiana University
Qualification Title: Traditional Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
Duration: Three (3) years

Purpose:
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers two different residency training pathways: the Three-Year Traditional Program and the Six-Year Integrated Program. Both pathways provide comprehensive cardiothoracic surgical education and training through a full range of clinical environments. Graduates of the residency are eligible to sit for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery examinations.

The Three-Year Traditional Program is ideal for those who have completed an accredited general surgery residency.

One resident is accepted into this training pathway each year. The resident can elect either a "Cardiac Track" or "Thoracic Track" depending on her/his interests. Regardless of track, the resident is exposed to all subspecialties with the same educational goals, expectations, and responsibilities. The difference is that the designated track allows for more time spent rotating in the desired speciality during the third year, which includes discretion on elective rotations. Clinical exposure covers all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic, and pediatric/congenital cardiothoracic surgery at the major clinical sites.

There is an emphasis on progressive autonomy in clinical and surgical decision-making as the resident's abilities grow. The qualification culminates in a chief resident year when the resident will be expected to lead and manage clinical services and teams. The resident will participate in all formal educational activities, including weekly didactic conferences, board examination reviews, surgical skills simulation sessions, and mock oral examinations. Both the clinical rotations and formal educational curriculum are executed in tandem with residents in the Integrated Residency Program.

Similarities:

The Indiana University (IU) qualification structure covers all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic, and pediatric/congenital cardiothoracic surgery similar to the SA qualification which includes Thoracic Surgical, Adult Cardiac Surgical, and Congenital Cardiac Surgical.

Graduates of the UN and SA qualifications are eligible to sit for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery examinations and the Fellowship of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa Examination

Differences:

The IU qualification takes three years of full-time study whereas the SA qualification takes four years of full-time study.

The IU qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules while the SA consists of compulsory modules and no electives.

Country: Kenya
Institution: University of Nairobi,
Qualification Title: Master of Medicine in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Duration: 5 Years Full time
Entry Requirements
The candidates eligible for admission into the programme shall fulfil the following conditions:

Hold a minimum of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree from the University of Nairobi or any equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the University Senate.

The degree should be registered by the Medical Practitioner's and Dentist's Council of Kenya for purposes of training and learners must produce evidence of registration and retention with the council or equivalent at commencement of training.

The learners shall be required to have a Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance cover before the commencement of training.

Purpose:
The overall goal of the qualification is to produce competent, autonomous, ethical, and outstanding Thoracic and Cardiovascular (TCV) Surgeons who serve the communities they attend to with passion and purpose. The objective of the qualification is to produce qualified surgeons with the knowledge, skills and attitudes which shall enable them to function effectively as TCV surgeons.

The teaching philosophy employed is based on adult learning principles inclined towards realizing the needs of the learner in a learner-centred approach. The qualification is geared towards the production of surgeons with the necessary skills to cope with the global challenges of modern-day surgical practice.

Rationale:
Kenya's specialised surgical care needs have increased greatly over the years and continue to do so. This is demonstrated by the many surgical specialities that have developed in Kenya and the many Kenyan patients who are still sent abroad for such specialised care because of the shortage of skilled surgeons locally. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery tops this list, with reference to cardiac surgery. The costs involved are high but can be reduced drastically with locally available facilities and expertise. It is estimated that Kenya requires 600 thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons to provide full services to Kenya's population of 49 million. There are currently less than 20 practising Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgeons in the country; the need for this programme remains great.

Graduates end up in successful employment or careers in the private and public sectors or academia. The qualification can lead to sub-specialization training in any of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery sub-specialties.

On completion of the qualification, successful learners will be able to:

Independently deliver competent preoperative care to the Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgical patient.

Independently and competently perform all core Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgical procedures.

Independently deliver competent early postoperative care to the Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgical patient.

Independently deliver competent late postoperative care to the Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgical patients.

Similarities:

The University of Nairobi (UON) and the South African (SA) qualifications require applicants who completed the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) and are registered with the Medical Practitioner's and Dentists Board in Kenya and HPCSA in South Africa.

The purpose of the UON and SA qualifications is to equip Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons with the requisite skills and competencies to competently care for patients with general thoracic surgical, cardiac surgical and peripheral vascular surgical conditions.

Both qualifications are intended to address the shortage of skilled surgeons locally.

Difference:

The UON qualification is offered over five years of full-time study whereas the SA qualification takes four years of full-time study.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Philosophy in Cardiology, NQF Level 9.

Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Cardiology, NQF Level 9.

Master of Medicine in Surgery, NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.

Diagonal Articulation
There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification.

MODERATION OPTIONS

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.	Walter Sisulu University