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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16595  Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 
  • To prepare the basically qualified medical practitioner (with a MB,ChB qualification) for a professional career as generalist family doctor in the public and private sector.
  • To provide broad subject knowledge to understand the discipline of family medicine, to acquire the necessary skills to be able to practice independently in family practice, and to develop attitudes appropriate to a practitioner of high ethical and moral standards.
  • To offer specialised study to provide the necessary basis for students who would like to proceed to master's level in this field.
  • To address the urgent need for well qualified general doctors in South Africa to ensure effective and efficient primary health care delivery in the District Health System. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

    First degree: MB, ChB

    Additional requirements:

    In order to be admitted to the program the candidate must be in possession of the MB,ChB degree or an equivalent qualification, and be registered as medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

    a) Problem identification and problem solution

    b) Co-operation

    c) Self -organisation and self-management

    d) Communication

    e) Application of Science and technology

    f) Holistic world view

    g) Contribution to self-development


    2). GENERAL OUTCOMES

    The DipFamMed graduate will have:

    a) A good grasp of the theoretical background in the core aspects of the relevant subject matter (Principles and practice of Family Medicine; Medical Ethics, Human rights and the law; Evidence-based medicine; and Clinical Family Medicine)

    b) The ability to apply this knowledge to address new theoretical and practical problems

    c) The ability to read and interpret scientific literature


    The DipFamMed graduate will thus have demonstrated that he/she has a solid theoretical and scientific background


    3). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

    The DipFamMed graduate will have:

    a) The necessary special subject knowledge to register and practice as generalist family doctor.

    b) The generic and higher order cognitive, psychomotor and affective as well as subject specific technical skills to practice the discipline of family medicine with specific reference to:
  • Practising a high standard of clinical and ethical patient care
  • The execution of technical and surgical skills necessary for functioning as generalist on community and district level.
  • The effective functioning in the health care system at the district level 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1).
    a) The student is able to identify and solve clinical problems presenting in family practice

    b) The student works effectively as a member of the primary and or district health team

    c) The student demonstrates responsible and efficient methods of self-organisation and management

    d) The student is able to collect, analyse, order and critically evaluate information

    e) The student communicates efficiently wit patients, members of the health care team, and peers

    f) The student applies science and technology efficiently and in manners demonstrating responsibility towards the health of society and a healthy environment

    g) The student views the patient as an integral part of a variety of systems present

    h) The student participate in an appropriate program of continuing professional development


    2).
    Outcomes will be assessed as follows:

    Outcome (a) using assignments, written, practical and oral examinations, the candidate will demonstrate sufficient background knowledge

    Outcome (b) by demonstrating problem solving techniques in managing patients and clinical problems presenting in family practice

    Outcome (c) by critically evaluating the literature in presentations to peers and in written assignments

    3).
    a. Outcome (a) by demonstrating integration of knowledge and skills in the presentation of patient case studies, video consultation, and satisfactory clinical management of patients

    b. Outcome (b) using a patient - centered approach in clinical and ethical patient care which adhered to the standard criteria of family medicine, can perform technical and surgical procedures under the supervision of a supervisor, and functions effectively in the District Health System under the supervision of a supervisor.


    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

    Assessment of the program contains formative as well as summative assessment, both on a continuing basis throughout the two years of study. Summative includes several assignments and written, practical and oral examinations. A final examination is set at the end of the study period and the coherent of the program is assessed as an integrated whole during the evaluation 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides credits to the related qualification

    MFamMed 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used as assessors in a manner that fits into the quality assurance system of the university. 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch 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.