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 Radiation Oncology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9463	Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology
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 learners with research expertise, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of Radiation Oncology and the ability to guide junior learners if the qualified learner is in an educational setting.

Hence, qualified learners 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.

Rationale:
There is an increasing incidence of cancers globally, and in South Africa. Radiation Therapy forms a critical part of cancer treatment. With a shortage of qualified Radiation Oncologists in South Africa, specialists often need to evaluate and treat more patients. It is therefore imperative to train more radiation oncologists to serve in this medical field.

Radiation Oncology is a rapidly evolving specialty. Due to it being so technologically rich, it is heavily impacted by technological improvements which advance at a very fast rate. In addition, the patterns of cancer in South Africa are different from that of the rest of the world (types of cancers, stages of disease etc.). It is therefore vital that South Africa trains specialists who can engage with research to explore local complexities and applications of oncology practice and provide data for evidence-based health care relevant for the South African context.

The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified learners with specialist training in the branch of Radiation Oncology, who may be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and may proceed to Doctoral studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning is not applied by the institution for this qualification as it leads to the 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
Or

Bachelor of Health Science in Radiography in Radiation Therapy, NQF Level 8.
Or

Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Radiation Science, NQF Level 8.
Or

Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy, NQF Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 480 Credits:

Applied Anatomy, 20 credits.

The Principles of Radiation Physics as applied to Radiotherapy, 50 credits.

Radiobiology and Biostatistics as applied to Radiation Oncology, 50 credits.

The Principles and Practice of Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Immunity in relation to Cancer I, 105 credits.

Research Report I, 70 credits.

The Principles and Practice of Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Immunity in relation to Cancer II, 110 credits.

Research Report II, 75 credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate competence in clinical 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 Radiation Oncology 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, to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.

Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers, and the community, e.g., to obtain a history, to communicate a treatment regimen, and to explain the medical condition.

Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.

Use instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.

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., on the topics of new therapies and drugs) and applying it in practice.

Guide junior learners 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 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: Zambia
Institution: Colleges of Medicine of Zambia
Qualification: Fellow of the College of Clinical Oncologists

Similarities:
For both qualifications, the duration for completion is 4 years. Candidates are expected to do similar courses in basic radiation sciences in their Part 1 exams, and clinical knowledge in Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Part 2 for both qualifications. A research report via publication is also required for both qualifications.

Differences:
The degree explicitly states that it is a clinical oncology degree due to their lack of medical oncologists. This is like many centres in South Africa. In Gauteng, there is an abundance of medical oncologists, so radiation oncologists in Gauteng can practice as Radiation Oncologists but do work as Clinical Oncologists in the rest of the country. However, chemotherapy is taught as part of the radiation oncology curriculum at this institution.

Country: United States of America
Institution: American Medical Association
Qualification: Board Certification in Radiation Oncology

Similarities (Both qualifications):
The entry requirement is to be a qualified medical doctor. The degree is completed over 4 years, and the assessment consists of both basic radiation sciences and clinical radiation oncology. A research report is also required.

Differences:
There is no emphasis on systemic therapy (chemotherapy) in the US qualification as in SA qualification. In the US, there is an abundance of medical oncologists, so the scope of practice of Radiation Oncologists is only on Radiation Oncology, and Radiation Oncologists do not practice systemic therapy..

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Master of Science in Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10.

Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.

Diagonal Articulation
No diagonal articulation for this qualification is possible

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