The Hong Kong Practitioner VOLUME 27 / March 2005
Diploma in Family Medicine (HKCFP) - Announcement
 

The Board is pleased to announce that The Diploma in Family Medicine (DFM) will be organized by The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians in June 2005.

The Course consists of FIVE modules. Modules I & II will be delivered by Distance Learning. Modules III, IV & V consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and clinical attachments. The whole Course requires ONE year of part-time studies.

Details of the Course as follows:
1. Objectives
  i) To provide a knowledgeable, pragmatic and structured teaching in Family Medicine for General Practitioners, especially for those who have not undergone vocational training and for Medical Trainees who intend to take up Family Medicine as their career.
  ii) To improve standards and quality of Primary Care
     
2. *Syllabus
The Course consists of FIVE compulsory modules. Doctors graduated from the Course are expected to:
  i) Learn current concepts about nature of family medicine
  ii) Develop knowledge and skills in consultation, counselling and problem solving
  iii) Develop knowledge and skills in common practice procedures and emergency care required for good quality family practice
  iv) Understand the role of Family Physician as goalkeeper of health-care system and in providing cost-effective primary care to the community
    Module I - Introduction to General Practice (Distance learning)
   

Aims:
1. Learn concepts of General Practice/Family Medicine
2. Understand the role and scope of a General Practice
    Contents: Origins, history, philosophy & conceptual framework of General Practice, roles & tasks of general practitioner and general practice in the community
    Module II - Clinical General Practice (Distance learning)
    Aims:
1. Enhance consultation, communication and problem solving skills
2. Gain knowledge in practical and emergency skills for quality general practice
    Contents: General practice consultation skills, principles of multi-discipline care, rational prescribing and cost-effective medical care
    Module III - Essentials of Family Medicine (Structured Seminars and tutorials)
    Aims:
1. Strengthen knowledge in Family Medicine
2. Understand the potential growth of Family Medicine
3. Develop research and teaching skills in Family Medicine
    Contents: Practice Management, Care of Elderly & Chronic Illnesses, Anticipatory Care, Clinical Audit & Quality Assurance, Difficult Consultation and Ethical Dilemmas, Introduction to Family Therapy, Research & Teaching in Family Medicine, Introductory Biostatistics and Evidence Based Medicine
    Module IV - Clinical Updates (Seminars and Clinical Attachment)
    Aims: Acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills in selected specialized areas including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Geriatrics, ENT, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology and Psychiatry
    Contents: Update seminars and ONE bedside/OPD attachment on selected
Specialties including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Geriatrics, Emergency Medicine, ENT, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Infectious Disease and Psychiatry (subject to availability)
    Module V - Practical Family Medicine (Practical Workshops)
    Aims: Enhance practical and communication skills in Family Medicine by Practical Workshops in selected areas including CPR, Communication Skills, Counselling Skills, Minor Office Procedures and Musculo-Skeletal Workshop.
    Contents: 2 core and 1 2 elective Practical Workshops in selected areas including CPR, Consultation Skills, Counselling Skills, Minor Office Procedures and Musculo-Skeletal Workshop.
    Module III & V will be scheduled in Saturday and Sunday afternoon
       
3.

Articulations
The Course allows (up to a fixed maximum percentage of the Course units) articulations or cross recognition of previous Family Medicine training programmes that provide learning units equivalent to that of the above syllabus. Participants who wish to apply for such articulations have to submit evidence of relevant training together with their application. The granting of articulations is however, completely at the discretion and decision of the Board of DFM.

       
4. *Schedule:
The whole Course requires ONE year of part-time studies.
   
June to December 2005   Module I & II
November 2005 to April 2006   Module III, IV & IV
May 2006   Final Examination
     
5. Admission Requirements:
  i) Registered Medical Practitioner in HKSAR
  ii) Graduated from medical school for at least TWO years
     
6.

Teaching Staff:
A panel of experienced academic medical professionals in Family Medicine, hospital specialists and experienced Fellows or Trainers of HKCFP will be invited to teach in the programme. The Department of General Practice, Monash University will be involved in the Distance Learning Modules.

   
7. Teaching Medium:
# English
   
8. Course Fees:
HK$ 30,000 for members of HKCFP
HK$ 50,000 for non-members
All fees must be paid before commencement of the Course and upon receipt of official notice of admission. Fees paid are non-transferable and non-refundable.
   
9. Awards/Credits:
  i) A Diploma in Family Medicine issued by HKCFP will be awarded to candidates who have satisfied all the requirements and have passed all the required assessment and the Final Examination.
  ii) Candidates at the satisfactory completion of the two Distance Learning Modules (Module I & II) will be awarded 12 Credit Points which may allow them to proceed further with their studies leading to the Master of Family Medicine award by Monash University.
Structured seminars of Module III may be accredited by Board of Vocational Training and Standards (HKCFP) as equivalents in Higher Training in Family Medicine.
  iii) 40 CME and 10 CPD credit points will also be awarded to candidates at satisfactory completion of the Course by the QA & A Committee of HKCFP.
  iv) Quotable Qualification of The Medical Council of Hong Kong.
     
10. Application Procedures:
 
Application is now open.
  A completed application form must be returned to the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians with the following:
  i) Photocopy of a current Annual Practicing Certificate
  ii) A recent photo of the applicant (passport size)
  iii) An application fee of HK$200 by crossed cheque payable to "HKCFP Holdings and Development Limited". This fee is non-refundable
  Every successful applicant will be notified by an official letter of admission.
Application form is obtainable at the College or can be downloaded at the College Web-site. Members who were not admitted in the course in 2004 have to send in their application again if they want to study the course this year. Please contact the College secretariat at 2861 0230 for any queries.
     
11. Application Deadline: May 31, 2005
     
 

Dr. Raymond Lo
Chairman
The Board of DFM
     
*   Course syllabus and schedule may be subject to change without prior notification
#  

English language requirement equivalent to that of a pass (or above) in use of English in Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination or a score of 600 in TOEFL Examination