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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Emergency Medical Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
124587  Doctor of Emergency Medical Care 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0633/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Doctor of Emergency Medical Care is to provide learners with an opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation, thereby contributing to the development of the emergency medical care and rescue field.

The qualification thus provides a vertical articulation pathway for emergency care providers and provides for advanced, scientific inquiry in the prehospital emergency care field. The qualification is designed for high-level scientific research in the emergency care context to promote the scientific experience and critical reasoning in the field of emergency medical science. Candidates are expected to complete a rigorous advanced research project focusing on clearly defined emergency care and rescue problems.

On completion, the qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of emergency medical care and rescue discipline.
  • Contribute to scholarly debates around emergency medical care and rescue.
  • Develop new research methods, techniques, processes, or systems in original and creative ways in pursuit of the doctoral project.
  • Complete the research project, having considered all ethical implications related to the project.

    Rationale:
    Prehospital advanced life support practitioners are the primary responders in prehospital emergencies. They play a critical role during disasters as front-line teams providing primary care and extrication of patients. They are also responsible for interfacility transfers of intensive and coronary care units in South Africa. Given the high burden of trauma in South Africa, prehospital emergency care providers play an integral role in the care of critically ill or injured patients. However, more research is needed in the South African prehospital milieu.

    Unfortunately, African emergency care relies on research from the global north for evidence-based practice. This reliance on research that may not be relevant for our local context is not ideal. This qualification will promote locally and contextually relevant research output that contributes to the body of knowledge. The qualification will address the needs of the prehospital emergency care within the South African emergency care system.

    Accordingly, the focus of this doctoral qualification is to provide learners with the opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation, thereby contributing to the development of the field of emergency medical care and rescue. The outcome of this doctoral qualification is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the field of emergency medical care and rescue, with the focus on the development of specialist, expert knowledge, thereby promoting professional practice.

    With a growing number of Emergency Medical Care professionals at undergraduate and master's levels, it is expected that there will be a demand for continuity of study at the doctoral level. A doctoral qualification is a requirement at universities for promotion to Senior Lecturer and above. Existing lecturers with a master's qualification in Emergency Medical Care or related fields are also potential candidates for this qualification.

    Postgraduate education in prehospital emergency care is still in its infancy in South Africa. The qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to conduct independent, original research, thereby contributing to the development of emergency care and rescue, both locally and internationally.

    This qualification is aligned with one of the National Department of Health priorities. Promoting health research is part of the Minister of Health's 10-point plan. This qualification is responsive to the professional and community-based needs. This qualification will address the emergency medical services industry by promoting local research output in emergency care. The emergency care profession will benefit from increased research output that will contribute to the scientific body of knowledge within the South African Emergency Care system.

    The institution consulted several sources, including the National Skills Development Strategy III, the Human Capital Development Strategy for the Biodiversity Sector, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Report on Green Jobs, and the Guidelines for a Human Capital Development Strategy for the Biodiversity Conservation Sector. These consultations enabled the institution to consider both the scarcity and the trends in the demand for various skills in the sector, including the need for a Doctorate in the field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's RPL policy guidelines will be followed as required.

    RPL for access:
  • Advanced standing will only be for access to the qualification.
  • Candidates will be requested to provide a portfolio of evidence detailing their qualification/s and career, which accordingly reflects their knowledge.
  • Candidates will also indicate a topic for their thesis.
  • The department will assess the portfolio to determine eligibility for the qualification.
  • A recommendation will then be made for admission or further assessments to demonstrate competence in research skills and proficiency for the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 9
    Or
  • Master of Health Sciences in Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10, totalling 360 credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Research Dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of emergency medical care and rescue discipline.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to contribute to scholarly debates around emergency medical care and rescue.
    3. Demonstrate ability to develop new research methods, techniques, processes, or systems in original and creative ways in pursuit of the doctoral project.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to complete the research project, having considered all ethical implications related to the project. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Acquire well-informed relevant knowledge within the emergency care and rescue environment. Advances the frontiers of knowledge through an original contribution achieved through an independent study.
  • Apply expert, specialised, and in-depth current knowledge of a specific area in emergency care and rescue, which will be evident in the thesis
  • Conduct a critical evaluation of appropriate literature to support the research
  • Demonstrate evidence of original and innovative thinking in research that makes a special and novel contribution to the field of study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Create and introduce appropriate relevant research designs, approaches, methodologies, instruments, and procedures, appropriate for the doctoral work undertaken.
  • Conceptualise and reflect critically, work independently and arrive at defensible conclusions and solutions, based on appropriately substantiated and defensible premises and analysis.
  • Demonstrate advanced scholarly writing, including relevant digital literacy skills appropriate for doctoral research.
  • Communicate research findings effectively to expert and non-expert audiences alike, to defend them in the context of intellectual and knowledge domain(s).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Compile and develop a logically organised thesis or another suitable report, e.g., Thesis by publication, which addresses the research questions.
  • Successfully produce a thesis or thesis by publication report which meets national and international standards
  • Disseminate findings in DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Conduct the research project and disseminate the findings in an ethical manner
  • Comply with the legal prescripts, such as those outlined in the National Health Act No. 61 of 2003. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Institution: Edith Cowan University
    Qualification Title: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Paramedical Science.
    Duration: Four years full-time
    Entry Requirements:
  • Master's degree in a related field.
    Or
  • An Honours degree, or equivalent.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    This qualification focuses on research in emergency care, with specific areas of interest including critical care, extended care (paramedicine), emergency response, aeromedical retrieval, and disaster and emergency management. The research is often conducted in collaboration with state, national, and international organisations.

    Candidates are expected to develop a project that can be completed in three years full-time. Candidates may submit their thesis any time after two years of full-time study, and a maximum of courses. Paramedical Science research at ECU concentrates on emergency care, prehospital resuscitation, as well as the management and policy of prehospital emergency care provision. Specific postgraduate research topics are developed in conjunction with the postgraduate coordinator or potential supervisor, however applications are particularly encouraged from those with an interest in: Critical care Extended Care (Paramedicine) Emergency response Aeromedical retrieval Disaster and emergency management Researchers in the school are currently involved in projects investigating the benefits of aeromedical retrieval, simulation in pre-hospital education delivery and pre-hospital resuscitation. The school also has collaborations with state-wide, national, and international organisations, including the Royal Flying Doctors Service, FALCK, the West Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and the West Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum.

    Similarities:
  • The Edith Cowan University (ECU) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered in four years full-time.
  • The ECU and SA qualifications share a similar purpose and rationale.
  • Both qualifications require applicants who have completed a master's degree in Paramedical Science or a related field.
  • The ECU and SA qualifications are both thesis-based and project-based.

    Difference:
  • The SA qualification has a requirement of at least one peer-reviewed journal article publication by the time the thesis is submitted, as well as proof of submission of a second article before graduation, which is not a requirement in the ECU qualification.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Hertfordshire
    Qualification Title: PhD in Paramedic Sciences
    Duration: 3 years (full-time)
    Entry Requirements:
  • An honours degree (normally at least 2:1 or above) in an appropriate discipline.
  • If the proposed research involves assessment or treatment elements with patients, the applicant will need to be registered with the body.

    Assessment:
  • Candidates are expected to undertake a substantial, original research project for the duration of the degree, under the supervision and guidance of two or more academic members of staff.
  • The supervisory team provides guidance both in the selection of a research topic and in the conduct of the research.
  • Candidates are also supported by attendance at postgraduate seminar series to develop subject-specific knowledge and research skills relevant to their field of research.
  • The qualification is assessed solely based on the final research output, in the form of a substantial written thesis, which must be "defended" in a viva.
  • Candidates are given opportunities to present their work at major conferences and in refereed research publications.

    Similarities:
  • The purpose of the University of Hertfordshire (UoH) and the South African (SA) qualifications is to develop research skills through practice and extensive research experience.
  • Both qualifications culminate in the research thesis.
  • The UoH and SA qualifications consist of similar formative and summative assessments.

    Differences:
  • The UoH qualification is offered over three years full-time, whereas the SA qualification is four years of full-time study.
  • The SA qualification requires applicants who have completed a master's degree in Paramedic Sciences or a related field, whereas the UoH qualification admits applicants who have completed an honours degree in an appropriate field.
  • The thesis for the UoH qualification is defended in a viva, whereas the SA qualification has a requirement of at least one peer-reviewed journal article publication by the time the thesis is submitted, as well as proof of submission of a second article before graduation. This serves as an opportunity and evidence of peer review that the University of Hertfordshire obtains through the oral defence.

    Conclusion:
    In summary, the SA qualification compares favourably with the international emergency care doctorates. While the other international emergency care doctorates are also thesis-based, the SA qualification requires at least one publication before the learner can submit for examination, and proof of submission of a second article before graduation. The peer-reviewed publication serves as another layer of peer review, which aims to demonstrate the quality of the learner's work. Furthermore, the thesis will be examined by three external examiners, of whom one is international. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Biomedical Science, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Health Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Technology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Medicine, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Public Health, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 


    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.