Diploma in Family Medicine (HKCFP)
Announcement

Download Application for Enrolment form (Deadline: May 31, 2008)

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 2008.

The Course consists of FIVE modules. Modules I & II will be delivered by Local 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 Medical Practitioners
  ii)

To encourage Professional Development of practising Medical Practitioners and to provide an intermediate step to Fellowship Examinations and Qualifications in Family Medicine
  iii) 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 Doctors as gatekeeper of health-care system and in providing cost-effective primary care to the community
     
   
Module I - Principle of Family Medicine (Distance Learning)
Aims: 1. Learn concepts of Family Medicine
  2. Understand the role and scope of a Family Doctor
Contents:   Consultation, core values of Family Medicine, definition of Family Physicians, Family Physicians' functions, future of Family Medicine
     
   
Module II - Common Problems in Family Medicine (Distance Learning)
Aims: 1. Enhance consultation, communication and problem solving skills
  2. Gain knowledge in selected chronic diseases and common diseases for quality Family Medicine
Contents:   Clinical psychology, diabetes mellitus, low back pain, COPD, dementia, dyspepsia
     
   
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, Introduction to Family Therapy,
Research & Teaching in Family Medicine, Evidence Based Medicine, Critical
Appraisal, and Infection Control
     
   
Module IV - Clinical Updates (Updates and Clinical Attachment)
Aims: Acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills in selected specialized areas including Medicine, Surgery, Geriatrics, ENT, Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Accident & Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Dermatology
Contents: Update seminars and ONE clinical attachment on selected specialties including Medicine, Surgery, Geriatrics, ENT, Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Accident & Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Dermatology (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, Consultation Skills, Counselling Skills, Women's Health, Orthopaedic Injection and Musculo-Skeletal Medicine Workshop.
Contents: 5 compulsory and 1 elective Practical Workshops in selected areas including CPR, Consultation Skills, Counselling Skills, Women's Health, Orthopaedic Injection and Musculo-Skeletal Medicine
     
    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 September 2008   Module I
November 2008 to February 2009   Module II
August 2008 to May 2009   Module III, IV & V
May 2009   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.

     
7. Teaching Medium:
  # English
(Cantonese may be used in workshops or clinical attachments)
     
8. Course Fees:

HK$ 32,000 for members of HKCFP
HK$ 50,000 for non-members

All fees must be paid upon application and before commencement of the Course. Fees paid are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.
     
9. Awards/Credits:
  i) 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) The Diploma is a Quotable Qualification of The Medical Council of Hong Kong
  iii) 50 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.
     
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) A signed "Disclaimer of Liability"
  iv) An application fee of HK$200 by crossed cheque payable to "HKCFP Holdings and Development Limited". This fee is non-refundable
  v) A Course Fee of HK$32,000 (or HK$50,000 if non-member) by crossed cheque payable to "HKCFP Holdings and Development Limited". This fee is non-refundable unless the application is unsuccessful.
     
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 2007 have to send in their application again if they want to study the course this year. Please contact the College secretariat at 2861 0220 for any queries.

     
11. Application Deadline: May 31, 2008

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 or a score of 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent.