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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Liaison Mental Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104702  Master of Philosophy in Liaison Mental Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  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:
To obtain experience in the psychiatric care of the medically ill under the following headings: Understanding General Principles: psychiatric assessment and consultation in a general hospital, legal and ethical issues and psychological responses to illness. Experience in managing the following Symptoms and disorders: delirium, dementia, aggression, depression and suicidality, somatization disorders, deception syndromes, eating disorders, sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders. Experience in managing psychiatric disorders in other specialities: heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal disorders, renal disease, endocrine and metabolic disorders, oncology, haematology, rheumatology, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, infectious diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dermatology, surgery, organ transplantation, neurology and neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, adolescents and chronic pain. To gain expertise in the treatment of the above disorders: psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and palliative care. To complete a research project in the field of liaison psychiatry.

Rationale:
This qualification provides advanced training in the theory and practice of liaison mental health. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for consideration, a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry candidate must have:
  • Master of Medicine in Psychiatry of the University or another university recognised for this purpose, or a qualification recognised by the Senate as an equivalent (such as the fellowship in psychiatry from the College of Medicine of South Africa).
  • Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology of the University or another university recognised for this purpose, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent.
  • Professional qualification in a mental health discipline such a social work, occupational therapy, or nursing.
  • Professional qualification with requisite experience deemed to be equivalent to any of the above. All candidates must be practising in or have the intention to practise in the mental health field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises two focus areas namely:
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Liaison Mental Health Part 1 (PRY7020W) Level 9, 120 Credits.
  • MPhil in Liaison Mental Health Part 2 (PRY7021W) Level 9, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The candidate will develop clinical, research and teaching skills in liaison mental health. The candidate will have specific clinical skills in the specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment of psychiatric disorders in the medically ill, using a bio-psycho-social formulation that is culturally sensitive and includes differential diagnoses. This includes a specialist knowledge of psychopathology, assessment tools, medical investigations and treatment modalities including various psychological therapies and medical treatments while the focus is on the development of specialist skills s/he should also be able to work at the primary and secondary care level to provide ongoing support and mental health promotion. S/he will have leadership skills, be an effective communicator with patients, families, colleagues and outside agencies. S/he should be able to work in a multidisciplinary team as well as work with multiple agencies such as social development when treating the psychiatric disorders of the medically ill. S/he will teach junior colleagues and other professionals and families.

    An Master of Philosophy dissertation is required in addition to the coursework and clinical work. General skills include ongoing professionalism, continuous learning, self-reflection, appraisal and leadership. S/he should take a lead in clinical governance. The candidate would ideally be an advocate for psychiatric disorders in the medically ill. S/he should also have an in-depth understanding of medico-legal aspects in the field particularly ethical issues pertaining death/dying and capacity. The presentation and examination of a dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment Criteria for Exit level outcome:
  • Demonstrate required knowledge and procedural skills as per the curriculum of the relevant College of Medicine.
  • Demonstrate required knowledge and procedural skills as per the curriculum of the relevant College of Medicine.
    > In the case of candidates who opt also to complete a dissertation.
  • Demonstrate advanced scholarship or research in the subspecialty field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The examination consists of two parts. The examination in Part I consists of one or more written paper(s) and/or such practical and/or oral examinations as the examiners may require. The examination in Part 2 consists of a dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Similar to qualifications offered in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Doctor of Philosophy (PHD), 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.