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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Electrophysiology and Epilepsy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94794  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Electrophysiology and Epilepsy 
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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Electrophysiology and Epilepsy is to develop core diagnostic skills required at the point of first contact with health care facilities in resource-limited areas. Qualified doctors are therefore trained in the discipline to strengthen and deepen their knowledge in the field of paediatric Electroencephalogram (EEG) and epilepsy, thereby building capacity to improve child health in Africa. This empowers these working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development in this sub-area of their practice by means of training which is targeted at current thinking, practice and research methods in the area of paediatric EEG and epilepsy, and allows these skilled workers to use their knowledge gained to lobby for improving child health.

Rationale:
The purpose of this qualification is to allow practising doctors to develop foundational skills in clinical electrophysiology and epilepsy to ensure safe practice.

The Department of Paediatrics has been training general practitioners from other African countries in terms of the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) for some years as the trainees require skills in the management of children with epilepsy.

However, the trainees have not been receiving a formal thus the institution wants to structure the process so that the trainees leave with a measurable and certified outcome. It is also envisaged that the in Electrophysiology and Epilepsy may also be useful to South African doctors in resource-challenged health care settings, and that even paediatricians-who are not necessarily exposed to these skills and techniques-would also find the training helpful.

Those doctors who wish to and qualify for admission to a speciality or sub-speciality training programme (of 4 and 2 years respectively) may apply for admission to such a qualification.

There is a critical need for doctors in Africa-particularly those in resource-poor areas to gain skills in diagnosing and managing (often through referral) the most acute paediatric diseases. This qualification aims to help address that need. It must also be pointed out that a full sub-specialisation requires massive investment in infrastructure and this is not possible in most countries. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be possible whereby specific existing knowledge and skills will be assessed in one or more of the courses, against the outcomes of the course and in line with the assessment procedures of the course.

Entry Requirements:
Admission requirements to this qualification are:
  • Bachelor in medicine (MBBS, MBChB or an equivalent qualification).
  • Experience working in paediatrics; registered with HPCSA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 2 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.
  • Clinical Management of Paediatric Epilepsy, 90 Credits.
  • Essay: Transition and Translation of Knowledge, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate ability to translate knowledge to the relevant home country.
    2. Perform and interpret an EEG.
    3. Demonstrate competence in clinical case studies of 2 rare epilepsy disorders, covering the clinical presentation, EEG findings, management challenges and the co-morbidities identified. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Awareness of the prevalence of children with epilepsy in Africa and the challenges to correctly diagnose and implement care is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of paediatric seizure disorders is interpreted and is translated to own practice.
  • Problem solving in the area of specialisation of epilepsy is displayed.
  • Context within which practice takes place, in this case, African context is understood.
  • An epilepsy syndrome based on the clinical history is identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Setting up the software of a digital device, troubleshooting, derivations/montages and electroencephalogram instrumentation is demonstrated.
  • The number of EEGs' performed and set up is recorded and monitored in logbook.
  • The current definitions of epilepsy and the role of electroencephalography are understood.
  • Techniques relevant to practice for performing EEGs are applied.
  • An EEG in terms of artefacts (physiological/non-physiological), waveforms from neonatal to adolescence (awake/asleep), normal variants and activation procedures (hyperventilation, intermittent photic stimulation, and sleep) is interpreted.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Information in the literature on epilepsy and the role for EEG is gathered, independently validated and evaluated.
  • Selected representative studies identified by the clinical technologist are successfully reported.
  • Knowledge of current recommended international guidelines relevant to practice in the field is understood and applied.
  • Epilepsy disorders-structural, genetic, and metabolic causes are recognised.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is both formative and summative. Formative assessment is built on continuous feedback on both knowledge and clinical competence. Knowledge is then applied and such application assessed in an extended essay. In addition learners are required to maintain a log-book of clinical procedures. An exit examination is conducted and is externally moderated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparability study was carried out to determine whether this qualification compares with international qualifications.
    The Neurological Institute of New York offers the Clinical Neurophysiology qualification. Clinical neurophysiology (CN) is an area of medicine in which selected neurological disorders are evaluated, monitored and treated using a combination of clinical assessment and electrophysiological testing. The field assesses derangements of normal physiology of the nervous system and uses electrophysiological methods to evaluate the abnormal physiological state. Trainees acquire detailed knowledge of electrophysiological testing procedures specifically related to common neurological disorders that affect the nervous system, including epilepsy.

    Trainees in EEG/Epilepsy receive two year positions, during which they acquire extensive experience in electro-diagnostic testing including electroencephalograms, long term video-EEG monitoring, evoked potentials, intraoperative monitoring, and sleep studies. The Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center provides all electro-diagnostic testing for the Neurological Institute of New York, the New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York. Thus trainees get exposure to the available electro-diagnostic testing in these clinical settings on different rotations.

    McGill University in Canada offers a Pediatric Neurology qualification concentrating on EEG in the first year and epilepsy research in the second year. Fellowship would include training in the acquisition and interpretation of EEGs across the age range from neonate to adolescence. The trainee will be expected to know the basic underlying neurophysiology and the neuroanatomy of the electroencephalogram and have an understanding of the basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. Normal features of the EEG from the neonatal period to adolescence and adulthood will be reviewed. EEG abnormalities in epileptic disorders, structural lesions of the brain, neurometabolic disorders, etc. will be reviewed. The trainee will also have exposure to the epilepsy clinics with understanding of seizures and epilepsy across the age range from neonate through adolescence.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the one being offered at the Neurological Institute of New York and McGill University in terms of the purpose of the qualifications and the expected outcomes. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon completion the qualifying learner can proceed horizontally to:
    Bachelor of Nuclear Medicine Radiography at NQF Level 8.

    Proceed Horizontal:
    Master of Arts in Neuropsychology at NQF Level 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 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.