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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
83486  Master of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine 
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  Not Applicable  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:
This qualification will develop a group of highly competent Emergency Care Workers with Clinical, Management and Research skills to promote Emergency Care in South Africa.

The Research component will develop a foundation to promote and foster Emergency Care Research in South Africa, encourage Evidence-Based practice and develop locally appropriate policies.

The aim is to produce Masters qualifying learners who can competently manage complex emergency cases, through clinical supervision in emergency cases and clinical based modules. Qualifying learners will be able to analyse and assimilate the medical literature and develop evidence-based practices, to follow their training in critical appraisal and clinical decision-making skills. Qualifying learners should be able to plan, evaluate and manage Emergency Care systems, following their modules on systems development. They will be taught how to co-ordinate research projects and principals of research methodology, clinical epidemiology and biostatistics. They will learn how to competently train junior staff and facilitate learning in the emergency environment.

The Master of Philosophy: Emergency Medicine will be open to Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics in Emergency Care.

Rationale:
South Africa faces many healthcare challenges. Our Healthcare system is severely overburdened and the epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Trauma require that a significant amount of time, resources and skills are spent managing acute emergencies. Emergency Medicine is a relatively new speciality, and while specialist services are always required, there is a need to upgrade the knowledge and skills all individuals working in Emergency Care environments. 

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:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Medicine, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules, practical work and research as well as a minimum of one elective module chosen from a prescribed list, totalling a minimum or 180 credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Emergency Care I, 10 Credits.
  • Emergency Care II, 10 Credits.
  • Clinical Research Methods I, 10 Credits.
  • Clinical Research Methods II, 15 Credits.
  • Resuscitation and Critical Care, 15 Credits.
  • Emergency Care Systems and Management, 15 Credits.
  • Logbook (Practicals), 40 Credits.
  • A Research Thesis, 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules:
    At least one of the following modules is to be completed:
  • Basic Medical Rescue, 10 Credits.
  • Disaster Medicine, 15 Credits.
  • Education and Training in Emergency Care, 10 Credits.
  • Primary Health Care for Emergency Care Workers, 10 Credits.
  • Ultrasound in Emergency Care, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Manage complex emergency cases, through clinical supervision in Emergency Care Centres.
    2. Analyse and assimilate medical literature and develop evidence-based practices.
    3. Plan, evaluate and manage Emergency Care systems.
    4. Co-ordinate research projects and apply principles of research methodology, clinical epidemiology and biostatistics.
    5. Train junior staff and facilitate learning in an emergency environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcome:
  • Manage emergencies through the application of knowledge under supervision with other members of the emergency care unit.
  • Evaluate specialised emergency care services at the district, the provincial or national level within the constraints of National Health Policy and international guidelines and in different settings in terms of their efficacy and recommendations made on possible improvements, which could include own protocols.
  • Apply advanced research methods in investigating complex and/or ill-defined problems in emergency care education, management and practice.
  • Identify a relevant research topic.
  • Apply appropriate research methodology, source, analyse and synthesise the data information.
  • Make recommendations based on the research done that can inform emergency care tourism practice and operations and related aspects of emergency care.
  • Ensure that the dissertation meets the necessary standard in terms of quality standards in terms of both format and content.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Each module will have continuous formative assessments, and summative assessments will be done at the end of each module. Clinical skills will be assessed at each clinical session.

    Case studies and assignments will be done on a biweekly basis in core modules. Logbooks will be reviewed by the Faculty every quarter. Mentors will visit working environments once every semester.

    Assessment process will be in line with the Assessment policy at the institution. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification complies with the international requirements for Masters' Degrees in terms of the conducting and reporting of research and the knowledge component relating to emergency care practice and systems and in the analysis of case studies. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Master, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine, 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 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.