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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Critical Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
125431  Master of Philosophy in Critical Care 
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 
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  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0638/26  2026-03-10  2029-03-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-03-10   2033-03-10  

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 
The purpose of the Master of Philosophy in Critical Care is to educate and train Specialists in Internal Medicine and Surgery to acquire and illustrate updated knowledge, skill, and experience who can further contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the Critical Care subspecialty.

Training of critical care subspecialist is needed to appropriately assess and stabilise critically ill patients in healthcare units and to contribute to maintaining health standards through education, research, and community service. Due to the growing knowledge in medicine, the specialized management options and the enormous burden of disease in South Africa and the region, it became imperative to provide appropriate critical care training relevant to the local setting whilst remaining equivalent in status to other established subspecialty programmes internationally.

Learners will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and practical experience in Critical Care to assess patients clinically, to request, perform and interpret laboratory tests, to prescribe and perform the appropriate preventive or curative treatment. Learners will also be qualified to conduct appropriate research, act ethically and professionally, think analytically, and evaluate and apply relevant information through research that will benefit the South African Healthcare System.

Training of critical care subspecialist is needed to appropriately assess and stabilise critically ill patients in healthcare units and to contribute to maintaining health standards through education, research, and community service. Due to the growing knowledge in medicine, the specialized management options and the enormous burden of disease in South Africa and the region, it became imperative to provide appropriate critical care training relevant to the local setting whilst remaining equivalent in status to other established subspecialty programmes internationally.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Illustrate understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within this specialised context.
  • Make autonomous ethical decisions which affect professional issues.
  • Operate independently and take full responsibility for own work, and where appropriate accountability for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices.

    Rationale:
    Critical care units are specialist units where critically ill patients are cared for, staffed by a specialist health workforce with a full medical coverage of patient care 24 hours a day. Medical specialists - which include the relevant internal medicine and surgical subspecialists - and 24-hour laboratory and radiology services must be available. Critical Care resource shortages include a lack of Intensive Care Units (ICU) particularly in public hospital and rural areas, as well as a lack of appropriately trained subspecialists, as most doctors working in ICU are not registered subspecialists.

    The lack of critical care units within healthcare systems most often necessitates Critical Care Transport (CCT), which are of high risk for both crew and patient, logistically challenging and expensive.
    To further aggravate this, few minimum practice standards are in place to guide the safe transfer of critically ill patients to and between facilities with appropriate resources to treat them. Recent studies (2023) revealed that in South Africa, only 23% of public hospitals have an ICU, and some provinces have less than 100 ICU beds, which largely influences patient admission and required care for critically ill or injured patients.

    As healthcare costs continue to rise in low- to middle-income countries such as SA, there has been an inclination to cut back on expenses and to redirect available resources towards preventive and primary healthcare, leading to a further lack of human, physical and financial resources in critical care infrastructure. The demand for a critical care workforce continues to increase due to factors associated with an ageing population and non-communicable diseases, major HIV and TB epidemics and other infectious or poverty related diseases, maternal and child mortality rates that are much higher than the global average, and trauma from (amongst others), motorcar accidents or interpersonal violence and injuries.

    The development of subspecialist training is endorsed and / or supported by professional bodies or related societies or associations. One such society is the Critical Care Society of South Africa (CCSSA), which is also instrumental in guiding the development of Critical Care in South Africa, plays an active role in setting of standards, providing guidelines for training and accreditation, professional development, research and negotiations with government and private health funders.

    Critical Care subspecialist registers with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as the statutory body which control the education, training and registration for practicing of health professions registered under the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974). As such, the Medical and Dental Professions Board (i) registers practitioners, (ii) establishes a generic framework of core competencies and exit level concerns for the training and education of clinical associate practitioners, and (iii) guide and inform curriculum development to ensure adherence by training institutions to core competencies and training frameworks. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has a well-established unit that deals with RPL.

    Possible exemption:
    For a maximum period of 1 year (50% of the time), based on comparable training and experience gained at another recognized academic institution could be granted, subject to the following conditions:
    ¿ The said periods of training must have occurred within at most two years before registering for the MPhil in the subspeciality.
    ¿ Sufficient experience must be proven using a logbook, portfolio and certification by the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine where the experience was gained.
    ¿ The above information must be evaluated by the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Head of Unit of Critical Care at the institution and approved as equivalent. With the consent of the Head of the Department and the Executive Committee (MEDEX) of the School of Medicine (SMU).

    Entry Requirements:
    ¿ Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), NQF Level 8.
    Or
    ¿ Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine, NQF Level 9.
    Or in General Surgery.
    Or
    ¿ Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology, NQF Level 9.
    And
    ¿ Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level9, totalling 180 Credits.
  • Clinical Critical Care, 120 Credits.
  • Research in Critical Care, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse the complex relationships between the ICU and various departments in a tertiary training hospital as well associated secondary referral hospitals to deliver integrated services efficiently and effectively.
    2. Solve challenging cases timeously and seek opportunities that may positively impact national health.
    3. Develop a clinical grounding in Critical Care through knowledge and evidence-based practical experience in a wide variety of clinical problems and diseases commonly encountered the ICU to master the appropriate diagnostic and medical-technical procedures as well as treatment modalities in critical care patients.
    4. Develop a sound Critical Care knowledge base via applied readings, bedside teaching, related case discussions, scientific meetings, and associated research activities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply principles and good practice in managing complex cases within facilities where critically ill or injured patients are being cared for e.g. ICU, tertiary, provincial and district level hospitals and community health care centres.
  • Demonstrate experience in leading teams and managing units and wards where critically ill patients are being treated.
  • Use science, technology and innovation across diverse healthcare systems and geographic regions effectively and critically, showing insight into the future of Critical Care as an area of specialisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Illustrate updated knowledge and skill to select appropriate clinical procedures in the delivery of Critical Care services to benefit patients and their families / significant others.
  • Apply the most appropriate diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities in critical care patients.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Illustrate updated medical knowledge, skill and experience in a wide range of clinical problems and diseases commonly encountered in critical care to identify, select and apply the most appropriate diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities in critical care patients.
  • Provide consultative services and train medical officers, colleagues in interprofessional teams, registrars, medical learners, paramedics, nurses, or physiotherapists to advance Critical Care and related specialist services as part of an interprofessional team.
  • Accept responsibility and accountability for performed work within the context of Critical Care as an area of sub-specialiaation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Research and critique best evidence from literature, discuss application to own patients and report on complex Critical Care cases.
  • Critically evaluate available literature from multiple sources of information on related and complex Critical Care patient cases and their management.
  • Develop a research protocol, implement a full research project, and prepare, present, and defend research findings at professional and scientific meetings.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The institution aligns and uses various types of assessment that enhances learner learning. The assessment plan adheres to the national requirements set by the HPCSA as the statutory professional body to ensure that graduates can register as professionals in the field.

    Formative Assessment:
    Continuous Workplace Based Assessments (WBA):
    Direct observations, based on the list of prescribed EPAs take place in clinical settings while the learner work with patients. Observers include the supervisor, but also other consultants in related disciplines as part of IPECP, colleagues, peers, nurses and medical officers.
    Observers provide written feedback to the learner, and feedback are quarterly discussed with the supervisor. Feedback is provided using feedback tools such as Mini-CEX, One-minute preceptor, SNAPSS, ISBAR and other toolkits. A minimum of 10 observations is required per feedback cycle. If necessary, a remedial plan for corrective action is developed.
  • To enter the final exit examination an overall minimum mark of 50% is required by the institution department for the final Portfolio.
  • In addition, a sub-minimum may be required in sub-divisions of the Portfolio assessment as communicated to learners as per specific qualification rules.
  • The learner must be declared competent by a properly constitution. departmental assessment committee meeting and signed off by the HOD and supervisors for all EPAs required for Critical Care.

    The CMSA as appointed national assessment body, has the following additional requirements for admission to the summative examination:
  • Certification of having completed at least 18 months as a subspecialty trainee in an accredited subspecialty unit in a teaching hospital, registered and approved by the HPCSA.
  • Submission of a written report from the academic HOD in which he/s trained indicating satisfactory completion of all training requirements.
  • Logbook, List of observations/ WBAs and Portfolio of Evidence.

    CMSA is the national assessment body who assess all candidates in the country in the final exit examination, and it follows its own internal and external assessments and moderation in conjunction with the HPCSA prescripts.

    The institution is a full member of the CMSA, where SMU subspecialists and course coordinators participate in the standard setting of final exit examinations for all candidates together with colleagues from other institutions in South Africa that offers this training. SMU subspecialists participate in the CMSA final exit examination as convenors and/or examinators and/or moderators.

    Summative Assessment:
    The final national exit examination is the only recognized final examination for the clinical course work module in Critical Care; the institution does not set a separate exit examination and dual exit therefore is not applied.

    The national exit examination through CMSA consists of both written and oral/practical components and contributes 100% towards the final mark for the clinical course work module. The rules for the final national exit examination are clearly described and made available to prospective learners.

    Format of the national exit examination through CMSA:
    The Exit examination for Critical Care Subspecialisation comprises four components:
  • Written paper One (three hours duration) comprise four questions assessing the learner on the theory and practice of critical care.
  • Written paper Two (three hours duration) comprise 20 short answer questions with an emphasis on data interpretation.
  • Oral examination consisting of four parts, each part will be of 12.5 minutes duration assessing the learner on the theory of critical care.
  • Clinical (oral) examination consisting of two clinical patient scenarios (paper patients'). Learners will have a maximum of 30 minutes to evaluate each paper patient's data. This will be followed by 25 minutes of discussion with examiners with an emphasis on clinical practice.
    Each of the four papers contribute 25% to the Weighting of the examination.

    Final Assessment:
    The final research project requirement may be met in any one of the following ways:
  • A research-based mini-dissertation, (the mini-dissertation is governed by General University and School rules regarding registration with SMUREC, supervisors and external assessors).
  • Publication or acceptance of a peer-reviewed original research article in a DHET-accredited journal with the student as the primary author.
  • An introduction and a conclusion must form part of the research work that has been done by the learner when publishable manuscripts / published articles are submitted in the place of a mini-dissertation and as such will be assessed by two independent examiners, who will allocate a final mark.
  • The scores of the external examiners will be averaged to arrive at a final score for the research module.
  • To pass the research module a minimum mark of 50% is required. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification was compared to the international qualifications from the following countries:

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution Name: The University of Cambridge (UC), The School of Clinical Medicine.
    Qualification title: Fellowship Programme in Internal Medicine.
    Duration: 2 Years.

    Entry requirements:
  • Registered as a specialist in one of the medical/surgical disciplines, i.e. Internal Medicine, Anaesthesiology or General Surgery by the respective Health Councils.

    Purpose:
    The University of Cambridge (UC), UK is a world-leading research and teaching University, frequently ranked among the top 5 in international ratings. The Department of Medicine at UC is one of the largest in the School of Clinical Medicine and is predominantly located on the Addenbrooke's Hospital site. UC offers Global and European Fellowship programmes in most internal medicine subspecialities, including in Perioperative, Acute, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine (PACE).

    Similarities:
  • The required research component and depth of clinical knowledge and practical skills of the South African (SA) qualification compare with international best practices. The training period for the fellowship programme at both UC and SA runs over two years of fulltime equivalent.
  • Both qualifications require that learners who enrol for this fellowship programme must be registered as a specialist in one of the medical/surgical disciplines, i.e. Internal Medicine, Anaesthesiology or General Surgery by the respective Health Councils.
  • Both qualifications can be completed over two years.

    Country: United States of America.
    Institution Name: Stanford University (SU).
    Qualification title: Certificate in Critical Care Medicine fellowship.
    Duration: 2 Years.

    Entry requirements:
  • Registered as a specialist by the local professional bodies and with specialisation in internal medicine, anaesthesia, surgery or emergency medicine.

    Purpose:
    Stanford University (SU), USA is also a top-ranking medical training institution and provides American Council Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) certifications for fellows who have completed the Critical Care Medicine fellowship.

    Similarities:
  • Admission requirements into the fellowship programmes for both qualifications include registration as a specialist by the local professional bodies and with specialisation in internal medicine, anaesthesia, surgery or emergency medicine.
  • Duties for fellows at both institutions include patient care, teaching and outreach.
  • Duration for both qualification is approximately two years.

    Differences:
  • Fellows at SU provide coverage and assume primary responsibility for the management of 15 - 30 patients, while fellows at SMU take responsible for much higher numbers of patients as approximately 10 000 Inpatients and 21 000 outpatients are seen per by the Department of Internal Medicine Staff, albeit not all admitted to ICU. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for the following articulation options:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Adult Critical Care, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Critical Care Surgery, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 


    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.