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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94596  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care 
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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 the qualification is to develop foundational skills for practising doctors in both routine and complex paediatric emergency care conditions in children, including those from vulnerable populations affected by the neglected diseases of poverty.

The emphasis in the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care would be on core diagnostic skills required at the point of first contact with health care facilities in resource-limited areas. Furthermore, the trainees will be able to diagnose the clinical status of the patient and will be enabled to make an informed referral to the relevant tertiary services. The qualification will also enable trainees to engage in a meaningful conversation with the specialist/subspecialist at the referral centre. This would optimise patient referral patterns for severe cases and reduce needless referrals for less severe conditions. The qualification is designed as an apprenticeship to offer the necessary exposure to the hospital scenarios.

Rationale:
The Department of Paediatrics has been training general practitioners from other African countries with the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) for some years. These trainees study for a period of a year but depart with no formal qualification. Thus it has become imperative to structure a qualification so that the trainees can obtain a qualification. It is also envisaged that the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care may also be useful to South African doctors, who work in resource-challenged health care settings, as well as to paediatricians, who are not necessarily exposed to these skills and techniques.

Meanwhile there is a critical need for doctors in areas where there is little or no resources to gain skills in diagnosing and managing (often through referral) the most acute paediatric diseases. This Diploma aims to help address that need.

In partnership with the APFP, the Red Cross Children's Hospital Paediatric Emergency Care Service which offer paediatric emergency care including mixed adult and paediatric emergency units as well as university-based departments of paediatrics, doctors will be trained doctors as potential paediatric emergency care doctors for the care of children. Also upon completion of this qualification these trainees will be guaranteed employment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be possible whereby specific existing knowledge and skills will be assessed in one or more of the courses, against the outcomes of the course and in line with the assessment procedures of the course.

Entry Requirements:
Students can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care if they meet the following requirements:
  • Qualified Bachelor in Medicine (MBBS, MBChB or an equivalent qualification).
  • Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner or as a Medical Practitioner in the category 'Postgraduate study UCT' is mandatory for applicants coming in via the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of two compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Clinical Management in Paediatric Emergency Care, 90 Credits.
  • Essay: Transition and Translation of Knowledge, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Show evidence of skills acquired, knowledge and expertise in the management of paediatric emergency problems at a senior level.
    2. Demonstrate early management of acutely ill children of all ages.
    3. Be able to deal with a wide range of acute problems and be responsible for the initial stabilisation of critically ill children and with the initial diagnostic workup.
    4. Be able to deal with complex problems which demand wide paediatric expertise input from other specialties.
    5. Initiating appropriate referral, coordinating the care of the child including the paediatric intensive care. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A leadership role is assumed and care across primary, secondary and tertiary levels is coordinated and the importance of a multi-disciplinary team approach is understood.
  • Knowledge and application of the principles and practice of care of children outside of the hospital, including in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is displayed.
  • Competence in clinical case management of common disorders in paediatric emergency care (covering the clinical presentation, assessment, management challenges and the co-morbidities identified) is demonstrated.
  • Appropriate documentation is generated reflecting appropriate case management (history, initial assessment, therapy, response to therapy, disposal plan) and good clinical practice principles is used.
  • Knowledge and competence in conducting regular mortality and morbidity reviews to improve quality of patient care is conducted.
  • A basic understanding of stress management and debriefing for patients and staff is demonstrated.
  • Professionalism in dealing with children and their caregivers is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A basic understanding of the range of common paediatric emergency conditions is demonstrated.
  • Familiarity with standard emergency service equipment is displayed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Stabilisation procedures of critically ill or injured children are initiated using recommended international evidence-based guidelines.
  • A sound knowledge and application of the principles of triage is demonstrated and applied on arrival at an emergency facility.
  • Appropriate diagnostic tests are recommended and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Working with other specialties and sub-specialties, in complex cases is demonstrated.
  • The importance of a multi-disciplinary team approach is understood.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Clear communication with the necessary personnel and appropriate referral of the resuscitated child to an area that can adequately institute definite care is demonstrated.
  • The professional and ongoing learning needs are effectively addressed and communicated so as to competently manage critically ill and injured children beyond the initial stabilisation phase to the seamless care approach.
  • Short rotations through EMS, the paediatric trauma unit, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Paediatric Anaesthesiology and overnight wards are conducted.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is both formative and summative. Formative assessment is built on continuous feedback on both knowledge and clinical competence. Knowledge is then applied and such application is assessed in the formative assessment and summative assessment and in an extended essay. In addition students are required to maintain a logbook with a minimum number of clinical procedures. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    An international comparison of the qualifications similar to the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care offered in the following countries was conducted: Scotland and Australia. This comparison was carried out to determine articulation possibilities of the qualification offered at the University of Cape Town in other international frameworks.

    The University of Edinburgh in Scotland offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Emergency Medicine which is a two-year qualification.

    This programme is aimed at graduates in medicine involved in the management of clinical emergencies in children. It is ideal for trainees in paediatric and emergency medicine, and also highly relevant for anaesthetists who wish to develop skills in paediatric anaesthesia or paediatric intensive care. It will also help primary care practitioners who work in remote and rural areas without paediatric support.

    Entry requirements:
    A medical Degree (MBChB or equivalent) plus one year of clinical experience is required.

    Programme structure:
    The qualification has three compulsory modules:
  • Medical Emergencies.
  • Surgical Emergencies and Trauma/Anaesthesia and Sedation.
  • Additional Topics in Paediatric Emergency Medicine.

    Career opportunities:
  • This programme has been designed to help achieve a successful career in paediatric emergency medicine with a high quality qualification and the latest understanding and knowledge.
  • The University of Sydney, in Australia offers the Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Medicine.

    Course description:
    This course provides students with the latest practical and theoretical knowledge of paediatric medicine and is delivered online, allowing flexible integration of their studies with their professional and personal life. Practical topics taught in this course are delivered in a case-based interactive online format by expert clinicians. It is designed to provide qualified clinicians with advanced knowledge and up-to-date skills in paediatric. The course is developed by clinical leaders in each discipline and the curriculum reflects many key aspects of trainee specialist knowledge.

    Entry requirements:
    Students must hold a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery of the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

    Conclusion:
    From the information collected it is evident that the qualification offered at the University of Cape Town compares favourably with the qualification offered at The University of Edinburgh and The University of Sydney in terms of equipping trainees with knowledge and skills in paediatric and emergency medicine. Furthermore, the entrance requirement to the qualification is the same and the curriculum is similar thus promoting academic mobility by facilitating students' access to further studies and credit transfers between higher education institutions in these countries. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon successful completion of the proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric students will be enabled both horizontal and vertical articulation with relevant cognate qualifications. In meeting the requirements students may progress vertically to a Master of Medicine: Paediatrics and Child Health, 240 Credits at NQF Level 9 and horizontally to a Postgraduate Diploma in Community and General Paediatrics, 130 Credits at NQF Level 8. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    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.