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 Veterinary Medicine in Anaesthesiology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15486	Master of Veterinary Medicine in Anaesthesiology
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
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	360	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0335/25	2024-06-30	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 first purpose of this qualification is to gain knowledge and experience in anaesthesia to a level of competence that leads to registration as a specialist veterinary anaesthesiologist with the South African Veterinary Council. As a specialist veterinary anaesthesiologist, the incumbent should be able to provide anaesthetic care and services to a wide range of animal species to an impeccable standard. Society gains specialist clinicians capable of ensuring the welfare of animals.

The second purpose is to provide the skills, knowledge and practical experience to teach anaesthesiology to pre-graduate veterinary students and nurses and postgraduate honours and masters students in the art and science of anaesthesiology. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continued self-development in the discipline.

The third purpose of this degree is to provide an understanding of research methodology and gain practical research experience through the completion of a dissertation. With this knowledge a contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge can be made through active research and the support of research projects by the provision of anaesthetic service and advice on the suitability of anaesthetic protocols.

The fourth purpose of this degree is to provide a basis with which to contemplate further doctorate studies in the discipline of anaesthesia or any other related discipline.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree: B V Sc
Other:
The official language of instruction is English and competency in English is required. An English competency test may be requested. Adequate clinical competence is required and may be demonstrated through appropriate clinical experience or a clinical competency test.

Registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) to practice as a Veterinarian is a minimum requirement as this degree leads to specialist registration with the SAVC. Any degree, which the SAVC recognises to practice veterinary science, will be considered as minimum requirement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes:
1. Anaesthetise patients without undue risk.
2. Add scientific knowledge to the field of anaesthesia and demonstrate an ability to initiate, undertake and complete research.
3. Obtain in-depth knowledge in the field of veterinary anaesthesia.
4. Act professionally and ethically.
5. Demonstrate continued interest in new developments and research in the discipline of veterinary anaesthesiology.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
1. The veterinary anaesthesiologist may assist in the field of human anaesthesia through the development of safe anaesthetic techniques and drugs and the solving of complex problems through research and co-operation with professional colleagues.
2. The veterinary anaesthesiologist may be an invaluable aid on ethical or animal use committees involved in the use of research animals specifically related to issues of analgesia and anaesthesia of research animals.
3. Work effectively in a team to ensure the welfare and the most effective treatment of patients.
4. Assist in the continued professional development of veterinarians in private practice.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

One
1. Evaluate the anaesthetic risk of a patient.
2. Formulate an anaesthetic protocol.
3. Practical anaesthesia of companion animals, production animals and exotic animals taking into account a variety of clinical conditions and procedures to be performed.

Two
1. Publication of research undertaken in a peer reviewed scientific journal. Presentation at a scientific congress is strongly recommended.
2. A written dissertation that is acceptable to peer review and internal assessors.

Three
1. Pass appropriate ancillary subjects under the supervision of internal and external assessors.
2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in anaesthesia by passing written, practical and oral examinations under the supervision of internal and external assessors.
3. Complete a literature study that is up-to-date, appropriate and relevant to the research topic.
4. Critically evaluate literature in light of current understanding.

Four
1. Take responsibility and treat clinical cases within accepted professional norms.
2. Communicate and co-operate with fellow staff members with regards to the welfare of patients.

Five
Demonstrate ability to debate and perform techniques reported in relevant, appropriate and current literature.

Integrated assessment:
Portfolios
Work-place assessments
Written examinations
Oral examinations
Other:
Portfolio

A dissertation acceptable to peer review

Journal article accepted to a peer reviewed scientific journal.

Completion of 25 Case Studies

Seminars based on current research, literature or relevant topics.

Formative Assessment:

Continual assessment and monitoring of the candidate during clinical work and studies while under the supervision of a registered specialist veterinary anaesthesiology and senior clinical personnel. Feedback is given to the candidate on a continual basis.

Summative Assessment:

Portfolio work that has been completed and assessed by assessors and moderators.

Written, oral and practical examinations occur at predetermined intervals and at the end of the period of study. These examinations are set to cover theoretical knowledge, clinical/practical skills and acquired experience.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
B V Sc
B V Sc (Hons)
M Med Vet
M Sc

B V Sc serves as an entry point to the related qualification
B V Sc (Hons) serves as an entry point to the related qualification
M Med Vet serves as an entry point to the related qualification
M Sc serves as an entry point to the related qualification

B V Sc (Hons) provides credits for the related qualification
M Med Vet provides credits for the related qualification
M Sc provides credits for the related qualification

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
1. The M Med Vet (Anaes) may serve as an entry requirement to Ph D or D Sc studies.
2. Practical experience and theoretical knowledge gained may serve as an acceptable residency training programme for the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists (ECVA) or American College of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists (ACVA), enabling the candidate to write the examinations of these colleges.

MODERATION OPTIONS

1. Written and oral examination and case reports are under the evaluation of a registered specialist in the field of study consisting of both an internal and external assessors.
2. Additional internal and external assessors, registered as specialists in the appropriate disciplines, may be recruited from disciplines appropriate to anaesthesia to evaluate these subsections e.g. pharmacologists, anatomists, etc.
3. Continual assessment of practical work by registered specialist internal assessors during clinical exposure to cases.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
The assessors require a M Med Vet (Anaes), registration with a specialist veterinary college as an anaesthesiologist (for example: European College of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists (ECVA), American College of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists (ACVA)) or appropriate and relevant registered veterinary specialists.

Career experience required:
Appropriate clinical, research and/or postgraduate experience in appropriate disciplines.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.	University of Pretoria