SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9419	Master of Medicine in Clinical 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

Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of Clinical Pathology and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting.

Hence, graduates 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.

On completion, qualifying learners will be able to:

Demonstrate competence in clinical and laboratory skills at the specialist level

Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.

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.

Assess the principles and practice of medicine from the basic to an advanced level, and can train others in the specialty

Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations, and evaluate her or his own progress.

Rationale:
South Africa is in a resource-limited setting. Healthcare in particular is faced with limited access to laboratory professionals. Currently pathologists are predominantly placed at large academic and referral sites.

The clinical pathology training platform allows for a specialist training programme where a pathologist ican expertise through training across 3 pathology disciplines namely Haematology, Medical Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry. This allows for the placement of pathologists in district and regional level sites to offer valuable assistance to healthcare workers.

The qualification will produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Clinical Pathology, who may be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and proceed to Doctoral studies.

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:

Application of Basic Sciences in Pathology, 120 credits

Chemical Pathology (Clinical), 70 credits

Microbiology, 70 credits

Research Report I, 70 credits

Haematology (Clinical), 75 credits

Research Report II, 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:

Demonstrate specialist skills of a standard which enables him or her to sit the external examination in the speciality administered by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, or the internal university examination. the learner:
. Develop skills in the three disciplines of clinical pathology, namely haematology, microbiology and chemical pathology and is able to integrate these where appropriate

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

Advise on treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the individual patient or at a public health level

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:
IFormative assessment:
On this qualification, formative assessment is used to monitor and support students' progress towards achieving the learning outcomes, while summative assessment measures the extent to which students have achieved the learning outcomes. Formative assessment is sometimes called "assessment for learning", while summative assessment is called "assessment of learning".

Formative (60%) and summative assessment (40%):
Candidates will be expected to complete, on an ongoing basis, a portfolio of evidence as part of continuous workplace-based assessments. Candidate must successfully pass the CMSA clinical pathology examinations, which is an integrated assessment as it comprises both a theory and practical component.

As part of the integrated assessment, candidates will be expected to undergo an end-of-rotation discipline-specific exit exam at the end of each rotation in Haematology, Medical Microbiology, and Chemical Pathology. This will ensure that they have attained the necessary competencies for each discipline.

Integrated assessment is performed continuously through evaluation of performance in clinical and laboratory practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used in the integrated assessment of research mastery.

In order to promote, monitor, and measure student 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

Training for clinical pathology in this format is considered unique to the South African context.
In this regard, comparable training programmes are offered by other universities in South Africa.

The College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) outlines a core curriculum for clinical pathology training, detailing the duration of training and the fundamental topics, skills, and competencies that must be covered in Haematology, Medical Microbiology, and Chemical Pathology.

The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

Country: Australasia
Institution: Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)
Qualification: General Pathology

Similarities:
Both qualifications:

Include gaining competency in Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Microbiology

Equivalent of 5 years of full-time accredited pathology laboratory training

Assessment is by formal examination and submission of a portfolio.

Differences:
Content: A minimum of 2 years must be spent in anatomical pathology. The South African qualification does not include Anatomical Pathology.

Country: United States of America
Institution: Stanford Medicine, Department of Pathology
Qualification: Clinical Pathology

Similarities:
Both qualifications offer:

Combined training in chemistry, haematology, and microbiology

Skills and content covered include clinical and laboratory competencies.

Differences:
The USA qualification is offered as a 3-year qualification, 6 months of additional clinical training in Clinical Pathology is required for CP board certification, and 6 months can be research-related, and the qualification can be used to pursue fellowships in other disciplines, which differs from the South African qualification structure.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Master of Science in Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.

Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10.

Diagonal Articulation:
There are no diagonal articulation options for this qualification.

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