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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Nephrology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94946  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Nephrology 
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 this qualification is to train suitable trainees to practice clinical paediatric nephrology in order to enable them to manage basic and complex paediatric nephrology in children, including those from vulnerable populations affected by diseases of poverty.

Rationale:
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. Thus these trainees, on their return to their home institution, benefit from greater support and resources and also enables them acquire a recognised qualification.

Currently the trainees who are studying for a period of one year exit with no formal qualification. Now the training will be more structured so that the trainees can exit with a measurable and certified outcome and qualification. It is envisaged that the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Nephrology may also be useful to the general practitioners in South African who work in resource-challenged health care settings, and be also beneficial to paediatricians, who are not necessarily exposed to these skills and techniques, as they will find the training helpful.

Although there is a critical need for doctors in resource-poor areas to gain skills in diagnosing and managing (often through referral) the most acute paediatric diseases but, many doctors and specialists cannot leave their jobs in the public health care sector in their home countries for extended periods of time, and they also have no desire to specialise or do research. Furthermore, it must also be pointed out that a full sub-specialisation requires massive investment in infrastructure and this is not possible in some countries.

Thus the APFP, the Red Cross Children's Hospital Paediatric Nephrology Service wants to partner with institutions that have paediatric nephrology units to provide the training. The training of doctors is especially targeted to those who have been identified by their department heads as potential nephrologists for the care of children. Those doctors who wish to apply and qualify for admission to a speciality or sub-speciality training qualification may also apply for admission to such qualifications. 

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 modules, against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and in line with the assessment procedures of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
Trainees can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Nephrology if they meet the following requirements:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB or MB BS).
    Or
  • Equivalent qualification as a medical doctor.
  • Have experience working in the field of paediatrics.
  • Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply techniques relevant to practice for managing complex paediatric nephrology in children, including those from vulnerable populations affected by diseases of poverty.
    2. Integrated knowledge of nephrology diseases and care and translation to own practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Acting ethically and professionally in context of sick children is demonstrated.
  • Clinical discourse is used to communicate understandable approaches for the care of sick children.
  • Clinical history including psychosocial history and elicitation of the physical signs is reviewed and explained.
  • Bedside tests, electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities and special investigations related to renal disease such as: Ultrasound, Nuclear medicine studies: Mag-3 studies, renal histology, Urinary tract infection, Nephrotic syndrome are interpreted are outlined.
  • Glomerulonephritis including post-infective nephritis as well as other more unusual forms e.g. mesangioproliferative, mesangiocapillary and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is diagnosed.
  • Acute renal failure - related to shock and sepsis including gastro, post-operative cardiac surgery and drug related causes; fluid management is diagnosed.
  • Bed-side catheters are inserted and dialysis is instituted.
  • Paediatric Hypertension is diagnosed and managed.
  • Antenatal abnormalities are followed up and problems are detected.
  • Congenital renal abnormalities including paediatric urologic problems - posterior urethral valves, pelvi-ureteric junction obstructions are detected and managed.
  • Adolescent paediatric renal disease is diagnosed and treated.
  • Paediatric dialysis including peritoneal and haemodialysis.
  • Renal support in Paediatric Intensive Care Patients, and in other specialities, e.g. oncology is provided.
  • Counselling and information transfer to parents is provided.
  • A renal biopsy is performed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Basic Science: Embryology, anatomy and physiology of renal and urological system is understood and applied.
  • Renal Pathophysiology especially pertaining to fluid and electrolyte balance is detected and regulated.
  • Paediatric Vasculitides e.g. PolyarteritisNodosa, Takayasu's Disease is detected.
  • Autoimmune conditions such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosis.
  • Renal transplantation and fine tuning of immunosuppressive therapies are demonstrated.
  • Comprehensive assessment of patients is conducted.
  • Radiological and nuclear medicine and renal histology reports are interpreted.
  • Basic immunosuppression is used.
  • Different theories on the presentation of nephrology complications and diseases are evaluated.
  • Problem solving in the area of specialisation of nephrology is demonstrated.
  • Information in the literature on nephrological diseases is gathered, independently validated and evaluated.
  • Being mindful of context within which practice takes place, in this case, African context is demonstrated.
  • A logbook including management of cases and procedures is completed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessments are both formative and summative. Formative assessment is built on continuous feedback on both knowledge and clinical competence. Knowledge is then applied and such application will be assessed in an extended essay. In addition trainees are required to maintain a log-book of clinical procedures. An exit examination will consist of an oral case-based examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to the following:
    The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH ) in London, offers the Paediatric Nephrology qualification.

    Purpose of the qualification:
    Learners will learn how to care for children and adolescents with kidney disease, from managing acute fluid and electrolyte derangement in acute kidney injury through to seeing the huge benefits of successful kidney transplantation.
    A paediatric nephrologist will be able to deal with the diagnosis, investigation and management of acute and chronic kidney disease, including the provision of dialysis and renal transplantation. This is a diverse clinical and academic speciality which interlinks with many other paediatric sub-specialities.

    Nephrology qualification is being offered by the Division of Pediatric Nephrology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, United States of America.

    Purpose of the qualification:
    This qualification is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

    The qualification provides clinical training in areas of renal physiology and immunology. The robust inpatient, consult, and outpatient service will allow the learner to care for a broad spectrum of patients with kidney disorders.

    The qualification also offers opportunities for clinical, translational, and basic research. Specific research will include fluid management, renal development (genetic and epigenetic), vesicoureteral reflux, obstructive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, tubular toxicity of albuminuria, transplant immunology/infection, podocyte biology, epithelial cell polarization, protein trafficking in epithelial cells, pyelonephritis, and neonatal hydronephrosis. Learners will also have the opportunity to work with the faculty in the adult nephrology program. Learners will be assigned a research mentor and an oversight committee, and will undergo didactic courses to ensure progress in completing a specific research project and writing manuscripts. In summary, learners that complete the qualification will be well-trained to perform clinical and/or research in Pediatric Nephrology.

    Conclusion:
    The international qualifications identified compares well with the qualification being offered here in South Africa in terms of the purpose of each of the qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Nephrology the learner will be able to articulate horizontally to:
  • Bachelor in Clinical Technology at NQF Level 8.
    Vertically to:
  • Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health 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.