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 Psychiatry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
5809	Master of Medicine in Psychiatry
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	480	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 purpose of this qualification is to obtain registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist clinician in the field of Psychiatry.

The qualification aims to provide South Africa with specialist clinicians in the field of Psychiatry in order to provide and promote health care of the highest standard and the continual development of a high level of knowledge and expertise that is comparable with internationally set standards in the field.

Graduates will have comprehensive, in-depth knowledge, highly specialized technical (including diagnostic and therapeutic) skills and well-developed research skills in the field of Psychiatry. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continuing self-development and development of the field.

Society will gain specialist clinicians in the field of Psychiatry, leading to higher efficacy of patient care, contributing also to the prevention of disease and promotive health in the community.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree: M B Ch B or equivalent
Other:
Compliance with all regulations as specified by the HPCSA for registration as a registrar with the HPCSA.
Candidates are appointed based on the availability of designated and HPCSA accredited posts and on merit.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes:
Obtain and assimilate scientific knowledge and associated practical experience appropriate to the discipline, to be applied critically in patient assessment and management and in a community setting.

Obtain professional and technical skills required to competently assess and manage patients.

Maintain continued competence and show a continuous interest in new developments in the specialist field as a lifelong learner.

Act professionally and ethically.

Undertake and complete a relevant research study.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
Confident and flexible identification and definition of complex problems in a highly specialised context and the application of appropriate knowledge and skills to their solution are demonstrated. In the process existing knowledge is expanded or redefined.

The specialist works effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary psychiatric health care team towards defined outcomes, and where appropriate assumes leadership, applies negotiation and conflict resolution skills and motivates others.

The specialist communicates effectively with the patient, the patient's family/guardian, various members of the health care team and relevant members of the community.

Effective interaction within learning or professional group takes place with competent engagement in debate, in a professional manner and context.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Demonstrate appropriate theoretical knowledge.
Take appropriate clinical and psychiatric history
Perform appropriate clinical and psychiatric examination.
Perform/prescribe appropriate specialized investigations and interpret results.
Arrive at a clinical diagnosis, where possible.
Formulate and implement and appropriate therapeutic regimen, evaluating and adjusting elements of the plan as necessary.
Latest techniques and technology are assimilated into appropriate practice.
Takes responsibility within own limits of competence.
Acts within accepted norms of the profession.
An acceptable protocol is compiled.
Results are reported according to scientific norms.

Integrated assessment:
Portfolios
Simulations
Work-place assessments
Written examinations
Oral examinations
Other:
Assessment is continuous and done on the following basis:

Portfolio assessment:
Seminars based on current research are presented.
A basic research project is conducted.

Formative assessment:
The candidate works and studies under the constant and close supervision of senior clinical personnel, who assess/monitor and comment on the candidate's performance, such comment being directed at the student and the supervisor.

Summative assessment:
The portfolio work that has been compiled is assessing by the assessor(s) and moderator(s).

One or more written examinations are set at predetermined intervals and especially at or close to the conclusion of the prescribed study period. One or more oral and/or practical examinations may similarly be set. These written, oral and practical examinations are set to a high standard and are conducted in a manner which ensures comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the theoretical knowledge, acquired experience and clinical/practical skills of the candidate.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
M D/Ph D
Super-specialisation is possible in the fields of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Forensic psychiatry and certain fields of general psychiatry.

MODERATION OPTIONS

One or more internal assessors from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria
One or more external assessors from other national tertiary educational institutions in the appropriate field of study
Specialist private practitioner(s)

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
M Med (Psych) FF (Psych) or recognized equivalent qualification(s) +/- M D or Ph D in Psychiatry

Career experience required:
Appropriate research/teaching/academic/clinical postgraduate experience.

Other criteria:
Faculty member of an accredited Faculty of Medicine.
Registration as a specialist psychiatrist with the HPCSA.

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