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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94836  Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  300  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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 primary purpose of the qualification is to educate and train medical specialists to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced, specialised level such that they are prepared for advanced and sub-specialised professional practice in trauma surgery.

The qualification aims to produce trauma surgeons with specialist knowledge and competencies in critical trauma surgery. A substantial number of conditions and therapeutic modalities in trauma surgery require highly specialised knowledge and training in order to achieve satisfactory patient outcomes. Training and certification in the sub-specialty discipline of Trauma Surgery addresses the need for these more specialised skills in the diagnosis and management of all trauma conditions, and focuses particularly on achieving improved outcomes in these aspects of trauma disease where less than optimum management may result in high peri-operative mortality and morbidity. This is particularly important in the management of multi-system trauma injury, and in the specialised critical care of the trauma patient.

Rationale:
The development of the qualification addresses the long-standing shortage of highly qualified professionals that are able to deal with the special needs of trauma. Trauma Surgery is briefly stated as the prevention and mitigation of trauma due to all forms of mechanical injury (penetrating and blunt) through the propagation of quality treatment and appropriate surgical intervention. This qualification intends to train registered specialists to become subspecialists (or "super-specialists") in Trauma Surgery. This recognition underscores the investment in and necessity for scarce skills development, the building of specialised capacity and advanced competency in the field of Medicine, in particular Trauma Surgery, within the context of advanced learning and in depth and innovative research. Rapid advances have recently been made in the understanding, diagnosis, management and treatment of disease, chronic illness and deformity. These developments have created a need for the training of surgical discipline specialists in Trauma Surgery who are able to provide comprehensive services to their patients and also contribute to innovative research in this field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree or a relevant Postgraduate Diploma.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be in compliance with institutional policy. In addition, the following will be enforced, with consent of the Head of the Department of Surgery and the Executive Committee of the School of Medicine:

Possible exemption, for a maximum period of 6 months, on the basis of comparable training and experience gained at another recognised academic institution could be granted, subject to the following conditions:
  • The said periods of training must have occurred within at most two years before registering for the Master of Philosophy in Trauma Surgery.
  • Sufficient experience must be proven by means of a logbook and certification by the Head of the Department of Surgery where the experience was gained.
  • The above information must then be evaluated by the Head of the Department of Surgery of the University of the Free State and approved as equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 300 Credits.
  • Advanced Trauma Surgery 1, 120 Credits.
  • Advanced Trauma Surgery 2, 120 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 60 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conceptualise, integrate and implement all aspects of the critically injured patients at an advanced level of competency.
    2. Interrogate and function at an advanced level of competency in trauma and critical care related environments.
    3. Design and develop the special body of knowledge required for the comprehensive management of the trauma patient.
    4. Engage and critique research in the various areas of trauma care such as prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Surgical and non-surgical therapy of injured patients is performed.
  • Preoperative, operative and postoperative care of injured patients who require critical care are observed.
  • Patients of all age groups, particularly those with critical injuries complicated by chronic cardiac, respiratory, renal or metabolic dysfunction are treated.

    Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Advanced technology and instrumentation are used to monitor the physiologic status of trauma patients of all ages.
  • Organisational and administrative aspects of a trauma care system are applied.
  • Activities that foster development of skills in teaching and in research.
  • Ethical, economic, and legal issues as they pertain to trauma care patient are applied.

    Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Special body of knowledge required for the comprehensive management of the trauma patient is used.
  • Trauma care system, including pre-hospital care and transport is evaluated and supervised.
  • Knowledge relating to physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy of disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurologic, endocrine, musculoskeletal and the immune systems is applied.
  • Procedure about disaster management, mass casualty situations, and disaster medicine is understood.

    Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Available literature is reviewed to inform research in the field.
  • Data is collected (possibly including empirical research).
  • Research finding/s are analysed.
  • Conclusions are drawn.
  • Recommendations are made.
  • Mini-dissertation is prepared and presented.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Each module will have assessment of both theoretical and clinical skills. In order to be supported for registration in the sub-discipline of Trauma Surgery, each learner will require to have completed a logbook recording operative and diagnostic procedures, stating the degree of supervision for each case is required. The logbook will need to be reviewed and verified by the head of the unit on a quarterly basis.
    Learners will be required to produce both their logbook and certification by the Head of Department or Departments, in which the training was completed, confirming satisfactory completion of training and achievement of the requisite level of technical and operative skill, prior to admission to the exit examination.
    Successful completion of the experiential learning, as evidenced by the logbook is a prerequisite for the exit examination.
    The mini-dissertation is internally and externally examined in compliance with institutional policy.
    Upon successful completion of all aspects of the above, the learners will be required to apply to the Health Professions Council of South Africa's specialist committee for registration of their subspecialty. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The research team from the Centre for Trauma and Neurosciences is based at the Blizard Institute and The Royal London Hospital. The Royal London Hospital is one of London's major trauma centres.

    The aim of the Trauma Sciences Masters is to ensure that graduates have acquired a broad and critical understanding of the science and practice of trauma care. Graduates will have developed the knowledge, technical skills, decision-making and professionalism to safely deliver a core set of clinical functions in the management of injured patients, consistent with their scope of practice. During the course of the qualification participants will develop a critical understanding of the science of trauma, including:
  • Trauma epidemiology, types of mechanism of injury, the systemic, immunological and metabolic response to injury and blood loss, and the basic processes of wound healing and scarring.
  • The scientific and evidence-based approach to professional activities, indications and diagnostic limitations of special investigations, non-invasive imaging techniques and monitoring equipment.
  • Principles of triage, treatment priorities, techniques and evidence for use in the pre-hospital arena.
  • The principles and application of damage control strategies in Trauma and related pathologies.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of organ and system-specific injuries, their operative and non-operative treatments, and complications thereof and apply the appropriate clinical, diagnostic and procedural skills.
  • Demonstrate through reflective practice on case-studies (where appropriate), the integration of current clinical skills with new knowledge of the principles of rehabilitation medicine with respect to trauma.
  • Understand the organisation of trauma systems, trauma registry management, trauma scoring systems, clinical governance and quality assurance.
  • Undertake, with critical awareness, analysis of complex, incomplete, 'cutting edge' or contradictory areas of key research and applicable research methodologies.
  • Undertake a scientific and evidence-based approach to prepare a dissertation related to the organisation of trauma care in their home country/region.

    Practically, the participants will be able to:
  • Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks for the resuscitation and management of trauma patients.
  • Synthesise information in a manner that may be innovative, utilising knowledge or processes from the forefront of the discipline/practice and from a wide range of sources to undertake a dissertation.

    Conclusion:
    With the above mentioned, this qualification compares very well to the above mentioned, as the outcomes are similar, meaning that successful learners will be able to do the above mentioned and demonstrate skills and expertise necessary to do the work. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation within the sub-framework.

    Horizontal:
  • Master of Medicine in Surgery.
  • Master of Medicine in Cardio-thoracic Surgery.

    Vertical:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Neurosurgery.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 
    		•

    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 the Free State 


    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.