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 Otorhinolaryngology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16454  Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  Level 8 and above  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:
Entry into this qualification requires registration by the HPCSA as a medical practitioner in South Africa, one year's hospital internship, two years HPCSA recognised medical/surgical practice, the Part I MMed (Otol) or FCS (SA) examination.

The qualification lasts three or four years depending on previous surgical exposure, and is structured such that the trainee specialist (in otorhinolaryngology, ENT and head and neck) becomes proficient as a diagnostician, clinician, physician, and surgeon in this specialist medical field.

The incumbent is employed by PAWC at Groote Schuur Hospital where he/she is exposed to, handles and takes responsibility for the sick and disabled with ENT/head and neck problems. This includes infants and children as well as adults.

He/she is under constant specialist supervision during clinical and surgical practice. He/she is exposed similarly to emergency casework night and day and at weekends (on roster duty). He/she attends and contributes to an academic learning (knowledge/skills) programme. He/she undergoes periodic assessment and examination. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.


Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medical and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
  • Medical qualification and registration with the HPCSA, and clinical experience and exposure to active clinical practice. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Diagnose, treat, prescribe, operate on all disorders requiring medical attention. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
  • Use science and technology appropriately.
  • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Work as a team member.
  • Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the individual and community, acknowledging cultural and religious differences.
  • Organise and manage one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.
  • Ability to show sensitivity to the patient and community.
  • Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
  • Use science and technology appropriately.
  • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Work as a team member.
  • Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the individual and community, acknowledging cultural and religious differences.
  • Organise and manage one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.
  • Show sensitivity to the patient and community.
  • Diagnose and medically/surgically manage all ear nose and throat (ENT) and related disorders. Effectively operate on common ENT/head and neck diseases and disorders as required.
  • Conduct a specialist health care service in this discipline.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is ongoing over the 3-4 year qualification by senior staff during an approved training programme.

    Final assessment s by internal and external examination following at least 30 months of practical (and academic) exposure to the subject. Passing either the internal and external professional examinations fulfils assessment obligations by examination. For the MMed (Otol) a dissertation as well as two independent examinations are necessary. The degree is assessed by:

    Part I: written (3 papers of 3 hours each) and viva voce examinations in anatomy, physiology, pathology and special testing.

    Part II: written (3 papers of 3 hours each), clinical and viva voce examinations in clinical diseases and disorders and their management, special surgery and medical practice.

    Part III: written dissertation on topic relevant to this speciality. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with similar international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Surgery, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Radiology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor in Otorhinolaryngology, NQF Level 10.
  • Cognate Doctoral Degree, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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. University of Cape Town 


    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.