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 Diagnostic Radiology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9457	Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology
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 qualified candidates with research expertise, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of Diagnostic Radiology and the ability to guide junior candidates if the qualified learner is in an educational setting.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:

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 is able to train others in the specialt.

Hence, qualified candidates have competence in the practice of Diagnostic Radiology and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

Rationale:
The qualification fulfils the need for Diagnostic Radiologists within the South African Health Care System. These specialised skills and competencies are a vital part of a functional and effective healthcare service to address the burden of disease within South Africa.

This qualification contributes to the drive to revitalise clinical research in a developing country like South Africa to enhance health care at all levels by identifying the causes of problems, facilitating diagnosis, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care, and promoting good policymaking. The clinical research and training force is ageing and has also been steadily declining in numbers since the early 1990s.

The combined burden of clinical teaching and training, health service and research thus fall on a shrinking and ageing pool of academics in health science faculties. This qualification improves the capacity to increase the production of trained health care workers and to train and inspire a new generation of clinical researchers and university teachers.

The qualification will produce qualified candidates with specialist training in the branch of Diagnostic Radiology, 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, NQF Level 9, 480 Credits:

Applied Anatomy, 20 credits

Radiography and Radiographic Photography, 20 credits

Diagnostic X-ray and Equipment Construction, 20 credits

Radiological Techniques and Special Investigations, 20 credits

Radiation Protection and Radiation Biology, 20 credits

Physical Bases of Diagnostic Radiology, 20 credits

Theoretical and Practical Diagnostic Radiology I, 50 credits

Clinical Medical Practice and Pathology as applied to Diagnostic Radiology I, 55 credits

Research Report I, 70 credits

Theoretical and Practical Diagnostic Radiology II, 50 credits

Clinical Medical Practice and Pathology as applied to Diagnostic Radiology II, 60 credits

Research Report II, 75 credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate competence in clinical and diagnostic radiology 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 can train others in the speciality
5. 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.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 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 and other health care workers as a team.

Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of Diagnostic Radiology.

Use instruments and equipment necessary for this practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 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 and applying 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 use his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practice 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) to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.

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

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical 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

This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

Country: Australia
Institution: University of Sydney
Qualification: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
Similarities (Both qualifications):

Length of training 4 - 5 years

Registration with the Medical Council

Structured clinical training time in an accredited training hospital affiliated to the above University.

Differences:
No academic qualification is awarded; only professional certification is required for the Australian qualification.

Country: New Zealand
Institution: City University of Auckland
Qualification: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)

Similarities (Both qualifications):

Length of training 4 - 5 years

Registration with the Medical Council

Structured clinical training time in an accredited training hospital affiliated to the above University.

Differences:
No academic qualification is awarded; only professional certification is required for the New Zealand qualification.

Country: Canada
Institution: University of Toronto
Qualification: The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Similarities (Both qualifications):

Length of training 5 years

Registration with the Medical Council

Structured clinical training time in an accredited training hospital affiliated wirh the above University.

Research/publication requirement.

Differences:
No academic qualification is awarded; only professional certification is required for the Canadian qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Medicine in cognate fields, 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 articulation options available for this qualiifcation.

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