Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine

• To prepare the basically qualified medical practitioner (with a MB,ChB qualification) for a professional career as generalist family doctor in the public and private sector.
• To provide broad subject knowledge to understand the discipline of family medicine, to acquire the necessary skills to be able to practice independently in family practice, and to develop attitudes appropriate to a practitioner of high ethical and moral standards.
• To offer specialised study to provide the necessary basis for students who would like to proceed to master's level in this field.
• To address the urgent need for well qualified general doctors in South Africa to ensure effective and efficient primary health care delivery in the District Health System.

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: MB, ChB

Additional requirements

In order to be admitted to the program the candidate must be in possession of the MB,ChB degree or an equivalent qualification, and be registered as medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

a) Problem identification and problem solution

b) Co-operation

c) Self -organisation and self-management

d) Communication

e) Application of Science and technology

f) Holistic world view

g) Contribution to self-development

2). GENERAL OUTCOMES

The DipFamMed graduate will have

a) A good grasp of the theoretical background in the core aspects of the relevant subject matter (Principles and practice of Family Medicine; Medical Ethics, Human rights and the law; Evidence-based medicine; and Clinical Family Medicine)

b) The ability to apply this knowledge to address new theoretical and practical problems

c) The ability to read and interpret scientific literature

The DipFamMed graduate will thus have demonstrated that he/she has a solid theoretical and scientific background

3). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

The DipFamMed graduate will have

a) The necessary special subject knowledge to register and practice as generalist family doctor.

b) The generic and higher order cognitive, psychomotor and affective as well as subject specific technical skills to practice the discipline of family medicine with specific reference to:

• Practising a high standard of clinical and ethical patient care
• The execution of technical and surgical skills necessary for functioning as generalist on community and district level.
• The effective functioning in the health care system at the district level

1).

a) The student is able to identify and solve clinical problems presenting in family practice

b) The student works effectively as a member of the primary and or district health team

c) The student demonstrates responsible and efficient methods of self-organisation and management

d) The student is able to collect, analyse, order and critically evaluate information

e) The student communicates efficiently wit patients, members of the health care team, and peers

f) The student applies science and technology efficiently and in manners demonstrating responsibility towards the health of society and a healthy environment

g) The student views the patient as an integral part of a variety of systems present

h) The student participate in an appropriate program of continuing professional development

2).

Outcomes will be assessed as follows

Outcome (a) using assignments, written, practical and oral examinations, the candidate will demonstrate sufficient background knowledge

Outcome (b) by demonstrating problem solving techniques in managing patients and clinical problems presenting in family practice

Outcome (c) by critically evaluating the literature in presentations to peers and in written assignments

3).

a. Outcome (a) by demonstrating integration of knowledge and skills in the presentation of patient case studies, video consultation, and satisfactory clinical management of patients

b. Outcome (b) using a patient - centered approach in clinical and ethical patient care which adhered to the standard criteria of family medicine, can perform technical and surgical procedures under the supervision of a supervisor, and functions effectively in the District Health System under the supervision of a supervisor.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the program contains formative as well as summative assessment, both on a continuing basis throughout the two years of study. Summative includes several assignments and written, practical and oral examinations. A final examination is set at the end of the study period and the coherent of the program is assessed as an integrated whole during the evaluation