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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21413  Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery 
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  Curative 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 
To produce specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeons capable of functioning clinically independently to an acceptable standard in all aspects of the speciality and with a particular mastery of the diagnosis and treatment of such Cardio thoracic surgical conditions, as occur frequently in Africa.

The programme leads to the final examination for the fellowship of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa and thereafter the qualification if a satisfactory dissertation is produced by the learner.

Original work in clinical and or laboratory research and the applicable methodology required is assessed in the dissertation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A qualification acceptable to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration as a medical practitioner.
Completion of community service or equivalent year.
[Successful completion of both Part 1A and Part 1 B of the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of South Africa.
Or Part 1A and Part 1B of an approved Mmed in Surgery from a South African University,
Or the FRCS of one of the British Colleges.
Obtained the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certificate]
Completed not less than 18 months of approved training in general surgery, embracing trauma and intensive care ad the surgical specialities. Of the 18 months training called for, not less than 6 months must be spent in general surgery and not more than 6 months in any one surgical speciality.
Senior certificate with Matriculation Exemption or Equivalent university admission qualification.
First Degree:
MBBCh or equivalent.

Other qualification(s):
  • [Successful completion of both Part 1A and Part 1 B of the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of South Africa.
    Or
  • Part 1A and Part 1B of an approved Mmed in Surgery from a South African University.
    Or
  • The FRCS of one of the British Colleges.
    And
  • Obtained the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certificate].

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Completed not less than 18 months of approved training in general surgery, embracing trauma and intensive care and the surgical specialities. Of the 18 months training called for, not less than 6 months must be spent in general surgery and not more than 6 months in any one surgical speciality.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science in Medicine Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Medicine, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Level 8, 480 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    (a) Critical cross field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning).
    (b) General Outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the qualification).
    (c) Specific Outcomes including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated).

    Part 1:
  • Have a sound knowledge of the basic sciences applicable to surgery; anatomy, physiology and the principles and microbiology.
    (Assessed by the Primary or Part IA examination of either the College of Surgeons of South Africa or Master of Medicine in Surgery.
  • Have a sound knowledge of the principles of surgery, specifically in relation to pre-operative patient evaluation, post-operative care including intensive care and complications of surgery common to all surgical disciplines. In addition, knowledge of the recognition and understanding of the basic principles of patient management in the surgical speciality disciplines [Neurosurgery, ENT, Maxillo-facial Surgery, Ocular emergencies, Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cardio thoracic Surgery, Urology, and General Surgery].
    (Assessed by the "Intermediate" or Part IB examination of either the College of Surgeons of South Africa or the Mmed in Surgery, or the FRCS of one of the British Colleges of Surgeons).

    The learner must have completed at least 18 months of registrar time in an approved general surgical clinical training program].
    Part II:
  • Be capable of the clinical evaluation and diagnosis of a patient with a Cardio thoracic surgical problem, with due consideration of any associated medical condition which the patient might have, and socio-economic factors that might impact upon the care of the patient.
  • Have a sound knowledge of the indications for and interpretation of special investigations applied to Cardiothoracic surgical conditions.
  • Be well acquainted with the pharmacological management of Cardiothoracic surgical conditions.
  • Have a sound knowledge of surgical anatomy and operative surgery as it applied to the speciality of Cardio thoracic Surgery.
  • Be aware of ethical problems that arise in the speciality and the international main line thinking about such problems, particularly where well-recognised guidelines exist.
  • Have a caring and sympathetic approach to his or her patients, giving the highest priority to the welfare of the patient.
  • Function well in the multidisciplinary health care team, cultivating co-operative relationships that lead to the best treatment for the patient.
  • Achieve a high degree of surgical operative skill in a broad spectrum of surgical procedures associated with the speciality of Cardio thoracic Surgery, and keep a log-book of surgical procedures assisted at and performed during the period of registrar ship, to verify such experience.
  • Keeping good clinical records and patient notes.

    c) Specific Outcomes:
    Part III:
  • In the research and dissertation a relevant problem pertaining to the field of Cardio thoracic Surgery should be identified and addressed in such a manner as to answer a question. The relevant literature review should include both classical articles and the most modern thinking on the subject. Clinical and or laboratory methodology should be pertinent to the problem being addressed and capable of providing an answer, even if the answer is that available technology cannot solve the problem.
  • Statistical methods should be relevant and appropriate to the problem being addressed. The dissertation should be written in such a manner as to clearly identify the problem, specify the methodology to be employed, give an analysis of results, draw a well-motivated conclusion based on the results obtained and perhaps enable the learner to make a well-reasoned recommendation.
    The ability of the learner to apply original thought too clinical or laboratory research is assessed in the "Thesis" or Part III of the qualification. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
    2. Use science and technology appropriately.
    3. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
    4. Work as a team member.
    5. Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to the individual and community, acknowledging cultural and religious differences.
    6. Organise and manage one's activities responsibly and effectively.
    7. Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.
    8. Show sensitivity to the patient and community.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All examinations require both internal as well as external examiners.
    Part I Section A:
  • Two 3-hour papers of multiple choice and or short written questions on basic sciences.
    Part I Section A:
    One 3-hour paper of essay and or short questions on the principles of surgery in general.
    A viva voce examination on the principles of surgery in general.
    One 3-hour paper of essay and or short questions on the principle of surgical speciality disciplines.
    A viva voce examination on the principles of surgical speciality disciplines.

    Part II:
    Two 3-hour written papers.
    Clinical examination: which will include-
    Case presentations: three or four clinical cases, including one thoracic, one adult cardiac and one paediatric cardiac case. The learner is allowed time to examine the patient and inspect relevant clinical material prior to presentation and discussion with the examiners.
    Radiology examination: a minimum of 5 radiographs that can include cardiac and pulmonary radiology, computerised axial tomography, echocardiography or magnetic resonance scans.
    Angiography examination: at least three angiograms that must include a coronary artery disease case a paediatric case.
    Oral examination on the theory of Cardiothoracic surgery.
    Examination of learners Logbook of surgical procedures performed and or assisted at during his/her registrar training.

    Part III:
    Evaluation of dissertation by internal and external examiners. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Dentistry in Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Cardiothoracic Surgery, 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.