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 Philosophy in Critical Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97619  Master of Philosophy in Critical Care 
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 purpose of this qualification is to build cognitive, clinical and practical skills specific to the Critical Care to specialists in Surgery.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to:
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in the subspecialty to produce significant insight in Critical Care Surgery.
  • Engage with current practices in Critical Care Surgery.

    Rationale:
    Surgical Critical Care focuses on the management and overall care of critically injured and acutely ill surgical patients. Trauma is the leading cause of death in persons under the age of 40 and affects a substantial percentage of the SA population. There continues to be a need for surgical and medical teams to evaluate and treat the sickest of the sick and the severely injured. With many surgeons going into practices based primarily in minimally invasive surgical subspecialties, it is important that a subspecialty qualification be offered for the complex operative and critical care surgical challenges, with major trauma continuing to be the epitome of such challenges.

    Surgical critical care is a specialty of surgery and a primary component of general surgery related to the care of patients with acute, life-threatening or potentially life- threatening surgical conditions. Surgical critical care not only incorporates knowledge and skills of non-operative techniques for supportive care for critically ill patients but also provides a broad understanding of the relationship between critical surgical illness and surgical procedures. Although much of this knowledge and skills is common to Critical Care Surgery specialists from a variety of medical disciplines, the learner will develop specialised expertise with surgical critical care s relating both to the physiologic responses to tissue injury from trauma, burns, operation, infections, acute inflammation, or ischemia and to the ways these responses interact with other disease processes.

    Specialists in surgical critical care possess advanced knowledge and skills that enable them to provide comprehensive care to critically ill patients from all surgical specialties and in all age groups. Care for the critically ill surgical patient may take place in a variety of settings, e.g. pre-hospital situations, the emergency department, the operating room, and intensive care units. Because the care of such patients involves skill in a number of disciplines, as well as an understanding of surgery, the specialist in surgical critical care must have a broad knowledge base and expertise concerning the biology of the critically ill surgical patient and the support of organ system function. They should be capable of providing leadership within their health care organisations regarding the needs of critically ill surgical patients and the administration of critical care units. They also should be able to teach others and conduct research in the field.

    With regards to the stakeholder needs the qualification also meets national requirements since it is aligned with the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) which supports the goal of expanded access and responsiveness to address emerging skills and knowledge needs and in addition to provide for greater flexibility and options with respect to this professionally-oriented subspecialty qualification to meet the varying needs of the stakeholders and communities they serve. In addition, the Master of Philosophy in Critical Care Surgery allows a learner to obtain a nationally recognised qualification that permits access to horizontally and vertically articulated qualifications within the National Qualifications Sub-Framework, enhancing the status and employability of medical specialists committed to Critical Care Surgery. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as the professional body was consulted to determine whether this particular qualification meets the requirements for professional registration, membership or licensing. In addition, the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974 stipulates regulations relating to this subspeciality in medicine (published under government notice R590 in Government Gazette 22420 of 29 June 2001) sets the requirements for registration of the subspeciality by a medical specialist with the board and declared that they recognise this subspeciality qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access: In exceptional cases, based on merit, where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements a learner will be considered for access in compliance with the institutional RPL Policy. This includes approval of the faculty committee, on the recommendation of the academic Head of Department, with notification to the Executive Committee of Senate. RPL is granted on the strength of a standard of proficiency that is sufficient for the purposes of postgraduate advanced study in the subspeciality. The rules and regulation of the HPCSA and the CMSA will be adhered to.

    Entry Requirements:
    Admission requirements for the following qualification are as follows:
  • Learners must be registered for independent practice as a Surgeon with the Health Professions Council of South Africa or equivalent for the country of origin.
    Or
  • Learners must be in possession of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and FCP (SA) (College Fellowship).
    Or
  • MMed (Anaesthesiology or cardiothoracic surgery or medicine or paediatrics or surgery).
    Or
  • Equivalent qualification.

    In addition to the above-mentioned entry requirements, the learner must also comply with the HPCSA requirements for registration of a subspeciality as follows:
  • Submit a certificate to the board, issued by the relevant faculty of medicine or health sciences in South Africa, to certify that - they have obtained education and training in the relevant subspeciality of at least two years as the holder of a post of subspeciality trainee approved by the board under control of a unit in a teaching hospital which had been accredited by the board as a teaching unit in the said subspeciality.
    Or
  • Submit proof to the board that he or she, prior to commencing with education and training in the relevant subspeciality, complied with all the requirements for registration as a specialist in the basic or one of the basic specialities listed against the relevant subspeciality in regulation 4 of the Act and that he or she had been registered as a specialist in that speciality.
    Or
  • If learner has qualified after 1 January 2002, the learner must submit proof to the board that he or she passed an evaluation in the relevant subspeciality which had been approved by the board.

    The Government Gazette, Gazette No 17721, Notice No 67, Regulation Gazette No. 5838 of 17 January 1997, in addition stipulates that: "In the case of the subspeciality critical care he or she shall, subsequent to having complied with all the requirements for registration in the speciality anaesthesiology or cardiothoracic surgery or medicine or paediatrics or surgery, obtain two years' clinical experience in critical care as the incumbent of a clinical appointment acceptable to the council under the control of a unit in a teaching hospital recognised by the council as a training unit in critical care". 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 of 300 Credits.

    Compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 (practical work, skills and procedures):
  • Module 1, Advanced Critical Care Surgery I, 120 Credits.
  • Module 2, Advanced Critical Care Surgery II, 120 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in the subspecialty to produce significant insight in Critical Care Surgery.
    2. Engage with current practices in Critical Care Surgery. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Current processes of knowledge production are correctly evaluated and an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of Critical Care Surgery practice is chosen.
  • Current practices in Critical Care Surgery are appropriately engaged with and critiqued.
  • Autonomous ethical decisions are suitably made and effectual contributions to the development of ethical standards in a Critical Care Surgery context are made.
  • A range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to the practice of Critical Care Surgery are used to contribute to academic teaching and to the advancement of new knowledge in the subspecialty.
  • Autonomous ethical decisions are suitably made and effectual contributions to the development of ethical standards in a Critical Care Surgery context are made.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Methods, techniques, processes and technologies are appropriately and creatively selected and applied to complex clinical and theoretical problems in Critical Care Surgery.
  • A wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the Critical Care Surgery practice are correctly and satisfactorily used.
  • Interventions at an appropriate level are clinically correctly made and the intended and unintended consequences of such interventions are appropriately addressed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification provides for both a formative and summative assessment. The formative assessment focuses not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on the integration of knowledge and competencies during practical examination sessions that include clinical cases. For the purposes of this qualification's summative assessment learners are subjected to the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa examination (CMSA). Fellowship in the Sub-Specialty Critical Care Surgery of the College of Surgeons of South Africa: Cert Critical Care (SA) Surg. Learners are required to write an exit examination and practical examinations, learners are required to engage in a research project and to submit a mini-dissertation.

    The assessment approach of the qualification is based on the principles of integrated assessment since the assessment activities are focused on the different dimensions of the purpose of the qualification which is to reflect critically on theory and its application. Integrated assessment takes the form of an appropriate variety of assessments methods for example; written and oral examinations, problem-solving assignments, projects, presentations, case studies, portfolios, log books, clinical reports, assessment of clinical competence through simulated and clinical assessment in situ, Objective Structure Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and the successful completion of a mini-dissertation.

    Assessment associated with the Critical Care Surgery curriculum is undertaken within the context of the learner's everyday clinical practice. As such it is implemented within the reality of current workplace and workforce issues and the needs of health service provision. Where applied competence is required, theory and practice are integrated and aligned with the level descriptors of an NQF Exit Level 9 qualification. Each module consists of both theoretical (assignments, Objective Structure Clinical Examinations (OSCAs) and tests)) and clinical assessments (case studies and demonstration of clinical procedures) which challenges learners to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired and to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively. The research project challenges learners to design and critically appraise research, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences in the Critical Care Surgery environment.

    The Colleges of Medicine (CMSA) also requires a six-monthly assessment of competence by the Head of the Critical Care Surgery Unit.

    Assessment of a logbook will be kept by the learner record the details of all patients seen, details of research undertaken and manuscripts accepted or submitted for publication in the field. These logbooks are reviewed, monitored and assessed by the Head of Department. The format and conduct of the exit examination under the auspices of the CMSA are that the evaluation of overall competence of the trainee will be based on a written appraisal submitted by the Educational Supervisor and an examination under the auspices of the Colleges, which will be held twice a year.

    Three major elements are drawn together in the assessment of the experiential learning in the programme, i.e. preparation, collaboration and reflection. In addition, networking forms a part of learners' self-assessment through discussion with peers and experts in the field. Learners attend departmental seminars where issues of progression in their tasks and clinical practice are raised, assessed and corrective action, if needed, arranged. Learners' involvement in their research project and the logbook and/or portfolio also serves as assessment of the experiential learning since their progress and actions needed to close the gap between desired and actual levels of performance are reflected on and addressed. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In the United States the Fellowship qualification in "Surgical Critical Care" is a fully-accredited Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) training program within the Department of Surgery. The fellowship is designed to educate learners in all phases of care of the critically ill and injured surgical patient. The training can be divided into several discrete areas including clinical training, research, academic framework, and trauma community integration. The clinical training is focused on cutting-edge, evidenced-based experiences in trauma, emergency general surgery (acute care surgery) and surgical critical care. Learners will complete the qualification with not only technical expertise, but will have a command of all care strategies and theory. Learners have clearly defined training goals and objectives with the highest attention to their educational experiences.

    Except for the individual projects, all learners will participate in a continual research didactic series that provides all the building blocks to join or initiate a basic science or clinical research program at their next job.
    Learners will also attain a solid academic framework or understanding of how to establish themselves as an academic surgeon. This framework includes an understanding of choosing and obtaining growth and leadership opportunities locally and in external national and international societies.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the above cited international qualification in terms of the focus on specialisation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with Masters of Philosophy in other areas of Medicine at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with a cognate Doctorate in Critical Care Surgery at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.