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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Pulmonology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94790  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Pulmonology 
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 suitable learners to practice clinical paediatric pulmonology to enable effective care in resource limited areas without the immediate supervision of a paediatric pulmonologist.

Rationale:
The Department of Paediatrics has been training general practitioners from other African countries in terms of the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) for some years. These trainees benefit from greater support and resources whereby they are able to demonstrate that they have acquired a recognised qualification. However, previously these trainees were not awarded any certification, thus the process needed to be structured so that the trainees leave with a measurable and certified outcome. It is envisaged that the qualification may also be useful to South African doctors in resource-challenged health care settings, and that even paediatricians-who are not necessarily exposed to these skills and techniques-would also find the training helpful.

Those doctors who wish to and qualify for admission to a speciality or sub-speciality training programme (of 4 and 2 years respectively) may apply for admission to such qualifications. It has been noted that many doctors and specialists cannot leave their jobs in the public health care sector in their home countries for extended periods of time, and furthermore they have no desire to specialise or do research, however, there is a critical need for doctors in Africa-particularly those in resource-poor areas to gain skills in diagnosing and managing (often through referral) the most acute paediatric diseases. This Diploma aims to help address that need.

The emphasis in the diploma would be on core diagnostic skills required at the point of first contact with health care facilities in resource-limited areas. It would help inform the general practitioner of the clinical status of the patient and assist him/her in making an informed referral to tertiary services.

Paediatric respiratory diseases are the major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in Africa. There is an urgent need for training and upskilling of health care professionals in paediatric pulmonology to improve care, develop local training programmes and promote child lung health. The Paediatric Pulmonology Division wants to partner with institutions that have an interest in developing paediatric pulmonology through training of suitable candidates. This would apply to most major centres in South Africa and Africa where there is a university-based department of paediatrics. 

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 modules, against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and in line with the assessment procedures of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:

For admission to this qualification, a learner must be:
  • Qualified with a Bachelor in medicine (MBBS, MBChB/equivalent qualification).
  • Have experience working in paediatrics.
  • Registered with the HPCSA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 2 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits:
  • Clinical Management in Paediatric Pulmonology, 90 Credits.
  • Essay: Transition and Translation of Knowledge, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate Knowledge of embryology, anatomy and physiology of respiratory tract and system and respiratory pathophysiology.
    2. Interpretation of routine investigations related to pulmonary diseases.
    3. Comprehensive knowledge and insight (aetiology, pathology, pathophysiology, presentation, complications, diagnosis and management, prevention) of common paediatric respiratory conditions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Knowledge of paediatric respiratory diseases are integrated and evidence based practices is translated into care.
  • The structure and function of the respiratory system is correlated.
  • The development of the respiratory tract and how this relates to common developmental anomalies is outlined.
  • The mechanics of the process of respiration, using anatomical and physiological principles of muscle action, flow, pressure etc. are explained.
  • The common pathologies of the respiratory tract in terms of disordered anatomy and physiology is discussed.
  • Simple clinical cases involving the respiratory system (including tumours, serious infections, fractures, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, haemothorax and flail chest) in terms of disordered anatomy and physiology is interpreted.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Clinical history and elicitation (with interpretation) of the physical signs of the respiratory system is interpreted.
  • Systematic approach to common childhood respiratory symptoms is diagnosed.
  • Acting ethically and professionally in context of children with paediatric respiratory diseases is displayed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Comprehensive knowledge and insight (aetiology, pathology, pathophysiology, presentation, complications, diagnosis and management, prevention) of common paediatric respiratory conditions is displayed.
  • Congenital malformations and lesions of the respiratory tract, interstitial lung diseases and pulmonary haemorrhage syndromes, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, lung diseases in the immunocompromised host, lleural effusions and pneumothorax, lntrathoracic tumours and other mass lesions if the chest, ARDS and acute lung injury, acute and chronic respiratory failure, respiratory disease in neuromuscular weakness and chest wall deformity is diagnosed and managed.
  • Essential skills and procedures of comprehensive physical examination, Spirometry, Tracheostomy care and change, Pleural aspiration, Insertion and care of intercostal chest drains are conducted.
  • Techniques relevant to practice for appropriate management are applied.
  • Problem solving in the area of specialisation of Paediatric Pulmonology is displayed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will be assessed continuously throughout the coursework. Regular meetings with the programme convenor or mentor will be held and formal feedback provided at least three times in a month. Logbook completion will be monitored. An exit examination will consist of a 1 hour oral examination that will evaluate clinical skills, knowledge and interpretation of specific investigations. Each learner will be mentored to enable them to produce a long essay or report. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship (training in a specialty or sub-specialty) qualification at Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Medicine in the United States of America has a strong commitment to the training of academic pediatric specialists in order to assure the best possible care for infants and children with lung disease and to encourage the teaching and research that will promote such care in the future. The training of future researchers will be able to apply their knowledge of basic translational and clinical science to enhance the understanding of children's respiratory disease.

    Clinically, the emphasis is on excellent care of the whole child and the family, whether the child is chronically or acutely ill. Academically, we wish to graduate those who are skilled educators, who seek new knowledge and who can teach others to do the same. Research of all types is essential to this mission and is fostered in an environment of honest questioning and collaboration.

    The University College Dublin, in the United Kingdom offers the Professional Diploma Respiratory Medicine.

    Qualification Feature:
    It provides an overview of respiratory physiology and exercise physiology and a detailed review of the main disease entities in respiratory medicine including epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment.

    Qualification Overview:
    Respiratory disease in children and adults represents a major and increasing burden on medical services. This qualification builds expertise and knowledge among non-respiratory specialists; enabling them to develop appropriate diagnostic and referral pathways, and short/long-term management plans.

    Diseases of the lung parenchyma are common but are often under-diagnosed. They now represent a major group requiring treatment, palliative care and consideration for lung transplantation. While there is a reduction in prevalence, tuberculosis still represents a threat which, because of the primarily hospital based care, is a concern to general practitioners. Education in this area will allay fears and allow more useful and efficacious referral patterns.

    The UCLA Medical Division of Santa Monica in the United States of America offers the Pediatric Critical Care qualification with a high level of mentorship and extensive research opportunities. It is designed to provide knowledge, procedural skills and attitudes necessary to provide excellent care in a variety of emergent and intensive care settings.

    It is envisioned that the learners will have a positive impact on the health of critically ill children through their leadership, research contributions and excellence in patient care.

    Outcomes of the qualification:
    1. Develop expertise in the complex care of all critically ill children and develop a particular interest and subspecialty within critical care, if desired.
    2. Develop technical skills for all procedures necessary in the field of pediatric critical care medicine.
    3. Develop skills in the design, understanding and performance of clinical and/or laboratory research that will result in a better comprehension of mechanisms of disease, physiology and pathology and the completion of at least one mentored research or scholarship project under the supervision of a scholarship oversight committee.
    4. Develop expertise at organization, analysis, preparation, and presentation of data.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with other international qualifications in Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Paediatric Pulmonology. The comparison reveals that the outcomes and the purpose of these qualifications have a similar focus. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Pulmonology learners will be able to articulate vertically to Master of Philosophy in Pulmonology at NQF Level 9 or horizontally to Bachelor Degree: Emergency Medical Care 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.