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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Cardiology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99286  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Cardiology 
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 General Practitioners to be able to diagnose, resuscitate, triage and manage children with congenital and acquired heart disease safely and effectively. It does not aim to train the candidate to become a paediatric cardiologist, but rather to be able to practice safely and effectively in resource limited areas without the immediate supervision of a paediatric cardiologist.

The emphasis of the qualification is on core diagnostic skills that are required at the point of first contact with health care facilities in resource-limited areas. The qualification will enable general practitioners to determine the clinical status of the patient and to be able to make an informed referral to tertiary services. This would optimise patient referral patterns for severe cases and reduce needless referrals for less severe conditions.

Upon qualifying the candidate will be able to:
  • Conduct routine management of new patients, including the initiation of appropriate acute treatment and long-term management plans.
  • Provide long-term follow-up of post-operative patients by understanding their potential complications (not immediate post-op ICU care).
  • Understand Echocardiography (ECG), defibrillation and cardioversion; pericardiocentesis.

    Rationale:
    The Department of Paediatrics at the University has been training General Practitioners from other African countries in terms of the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) for some years. Although these trainees, on their return to their home institution, have benefitted from the support and resources they have received but they are unable to demonstrate that they have acquired a recognised qualification. Thus the institution has decided to structure the process so that the trainees will be able to attain a measurable and certified outcome, which is a recognised qualification.

    It is also envisaged that the qualification may be useful to South African doctors as 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. Also it may benefit paediatricians who are not exposed to these skills and techniques. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The University's official Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be rigorously followed. Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant University's RPL Policy.

    The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can also be used where applicable to grant credits to the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    Applicants must:
  • Have a Bachelor in Medicine (MB BS, MB ChB, or equivalent qualification).
  • Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (SA). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits:
  • Clinical Management in Paediatric Cardiology, 40 Credits.
  • Echocardiography, 40 Credits.
  • Essay: Transition and Translation of Knowledge, 40 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand the physics of and demonstrate the use of echocardiography (ECG).
    2. Conduct accurate assessments of the anatomy of normal and diseased hearts in order to inform management decisions.
    3. Integrate and implement the knowledge of paediatric cardiology to conduct routine management of patients. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Knowledge of basic routine, normal and typical diagnostic ECGs of heart disease is demonstrated.
  • Principles of ultrasonology, the technical capabilities and limitations of echocardiography is understood.
  • A sound knowledge and application of the various routine echocardiographic views of the heart and related structures, and relevant ancillary techniques (e.g. bubblegrams) is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of the pathology and physiology of congenital cardiac lesions, and normal developmental physiology in infants as it applies to paediatric echocardiography is demonstrated.
  • Special views used in paediatric echocardiography, particularly the sub-xiphoid and right and left parasternal views are understood.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Life-threatening arrhythmias are recognised and an urgent management plan is developed.
  • In a tertiary Paediatric Echocardiography the examination of patients with congenital heart disease is conducted under supervised training.
  • Appropriate understanding of cardiac anatomy is shown in the interpretation of echocardiographic images.
  • Paediatric echocardiographic studies (at least 400 with congenital or acquired heart disease) in conjunction with and under the supervision of a paediatric cardiologist are assessed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Different theories of paediatric cardiology are evaluated.
  • Techniques relevant to the practice of paediatric cardiology are applied.
  • Routine management of new patients, including the initiation of appropriate acute treatment and long-term management plans are executed.
  • A wide variety of sources is used to gather information on Paediatric Cardiology which is critiqued for own use.
  • Clinical discourse is engaged with to relate and communicate different approaches and techniques in the care of children with heart disease.
  • Complicated problems in the area of paediatric cardiology are solved.
  • The epidemiology of the centres at which healthcare is practiced is analysed and the healthcare needs of the region are planned.
  • Emergency management and resuscitation; selection and triage for tertiary referral is conducted.
  • Post-operative care; long-term follow-up of post-operative patients and their potential complications (not immediate post-
  • Emergency management and resuscitation plans are developed to assist children in need.
  • Children who need tertiary (crucial) referral are selected and triaged.
  • Patient interaction and care are conducted according to ethical and professional standards.
  • The nature of the heart disease, it's possible/probable cause, its management and prognosis is communicated to parents of children and counselling are provided.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification will administer both formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments will be used to provide continuous feedback to learners regarding both knowledge and clinical competence. Knowledge is then applied and such application is assessed in an essay. In addition learners are required to maintain a logbook of clinical procedures, and the completion of this is a Developmental Programme requirement for the final assessment to be undertaken. An exit examination will be externally moderated.

    Formative Assessment will include:
  • Case-based orals; corrective action will be introduced where progress is unsatisfactory.
  • Logbook links skills training and theoretical knowledge to application in clinical practice.
  • Long essay.

    Summative Assessment will include:
  • Examination will consist of a Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) for Clinical Medicine and Surgery and a case-based oral assessment.
  • An essay whereby the learners applied competencies will be assessed. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Cardiology has been developed based on the principles advocated by the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand have developed Guidelines for standards of practice in Paediatric Echocardiography. These guidelines for paediatric echocardiography have been designed to assist echocardiographer-physicians and echocardiography practices when determining how qualifications and programmes should be developed and conducted and the standards against which the programme and qualification should be assessed. The document clearly delineates that the guidelines are for training General Practitioners to become a Paediatric echocardiographers and not a trained Paediatric Cardiologist.

    Paediatric echocardiographers-physicians must demonstrate the following upon the completion of training:
  • Knowledge of the physics of echocardiography, and its applications in cross-sectional, M-mode, and Doppler studies.
  • Supervised training in a tertiary echocardiography service, the majority of whose work will be paediatric echocardiography and the examination of patients with congenital heart disease.
  • An intimate knowledge of the pathology and physiology of congenital cardiac lesions, and normal developmental physiology in infants as it applies to paediatric echocardiography.
  • Understanding of the special views used in paediatric echocardiography, particularly the sub-xiphoid and right and left parasternal views.
  • An intimate knowledge of the acquired diseases of the heart in children.
  • An intimate knowledge of the usual findings and potential complications following palliation and repair of congenital heart disease.
  • Completed 300 self conducted paediatric echocardiographic studies (at least 250 with congenital or acquired heart disease) with the production of a provisional report, which will have been checked by a paediatric echocardiographer-physician.

    Conclusion:
    From the above cited comparability study conducted it is evident that this qualification is comparable with the standards and practices advocated by the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific articulation opportunities with the following qualifications offered by the University of Cape Town. They are:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Critical Care (ID 94793), Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care (ID 94596), Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy: Maternal and Child Health (ID 21423), Level 9.

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Pulmonology, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Critical Care, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Medical Science: Critical Care, Level 9. 
    		•

    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 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.