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 Chemical Pathology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9415	Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
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		EXCO 0733/25	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 the qualification is to produce medical professionals with research expertise, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting.

The qualifying learner will be able to:

To conduct research in anaesthesia healthcare delivery systems.

To generate, disseminate, and preserve new knowledge and skills relevant to anaesthesia and critical care provision.

To gain the requisite skills and discipline expected of ethical service-driven graduates for the provision of anaesthesia and critical care services.

Rationale:
Anaesthesia is an essential service in modern medical practice and health delivery systems all over the world. It is the most important scientific discovery in recent times and has revolutionized the practice of surgery and related subjects.

This qualification trains medical doctors to become specialists in the field of anaesthesiology. Candidates will follow the relevant College of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) curriculum and undergo training in a training unit registered by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for this purpose. The qualifying learners will be able to proceed to Doctoral studies.

The qualification will train competent and relevant anaesthesiologists for local and international labour needs in keeping with prevailing trends of the time and adhering to the highest levels of professionalism, ethics, and personal integrity for both learners and staff.
Hence, medical health professionals will have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning:
There are no other options for entry into the qualification as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9. 480 Credits:

Chemical Pathology Part I. Level 9. 120 Credits

Chemical Pathology Part II. Level 9. 120 Credits

Chemical Pathology Part III. Level 9. 50 Credits.

Research Report I. Level 9. 70 Credits

Chemical Pathology Part IV. Level 9. 45 Credits.

Research Report II. Level 9. 75 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate competence in clinical and laboratory skills at the specialist level.
2. Evaluate, teach and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
3. Apply ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist medical practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
4. Assess the principles and practice of medicine from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.
5. Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient

Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to interpret patient results and suggest appropriate further action

Use of instruments, equipment and information technology necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied

Interpret laboratory results

Select appropriate diagnostic methods

Implement quality control in the laboratory

Undertake all aspects of laboratory management

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Show research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions.

Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession

Practice evidence-based medicine by critically evaluating published literature in the field (e.g. the application of new laboratory applications) and applies it in practice

Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.

Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.

Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.

Strive to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of this branch of specialist medicine.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Teach, through practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals.

Communicate this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising more junior colleagues in the speciality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible citizen.

Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.

Identify personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
A comprehensive, integrated assessment approach is employed throughout the program. This ongoing evaluation encompasses performance in both clinical and laboratory settings. Additionally, a portfolio of evidence serves as a key assessment tool. This portfolio includes demonstrations of laboratory-based practice, laboratory management, and clinical case write-ups showcasing the candidate's knowledge of clinical skills, clinical features and the ability to interpret laboratory results within a clinical context.

Work-based assessments directly evaluate the candidate's competence in performing tasks expected at the specialist level.

Furthermore, the learner's submitted research report is incorporated into the assessment of research mastery.

To promote, monitor and measure learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

Country: Australia and New Zealand
Institution: Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Qualification: FANZCA (Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

Similarities:
Candidates will undergo a programme of training within an approved/accredited institution and will be required to complete primary and exit examinations offered by a professional college similar to the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) is responsible for examining and qualifying anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand. The College maintains standards of practice in anaesthesia.

Differences:
Training duration is five years, compared to a minimum of four years in South Africa

Country: Canada
Institution: Queen's University, Ontario, Canada
Qualification: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Similarities:
Candidates will undergo a programme of training within an approved/accredited institution and will be required to complete primary and exit examinations offered by a professional college similar to the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.

Differences:
Training duration is five years compared to a minimum of four in South Africa.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Science in Medicine, Level 9

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Medicine, Level 10.

Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10

Diagonal Articulation
There are no diagonal articulation options on the OQSF at levels 7 and 9.

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 Witwatersrand