Program Overview
Introduction to the MPH: Family and Community Medicine Program
The MPH: Family and Community Medicine program is designed to equip family physicians and other primary care practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to optimize their impact on the health of their communities. This program is offered by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
Program Description
The interface between public health and primary care clinical practice is crucial, and the health of a population is directly related to the availability of primary care services. The MPH: Family and Community Medicine program consists of a set of core courses and a practicum that cover both public health and enhanced primary care and faculty development skills. The program provides plenty of elective opportunities, enabling learners to take additional public health and family medicine courses to satisfy their learning objectives.
Program Length and Target Audience
The program is 16-24 months full-time or up to 6 years part-time. The target audience is family physicians and other primary care practitioners who are licensed and regulated primary care clinicians currently working in their field.
Program Goals
The program aims to:
- Train family physicians and other primary care practitioners to optimize their impact on the health of their communities by applying public health-related knowledge and skills.
- Provide opportunities for learners to develop skills in primary care leadership and scholarship.
- Provide opportunities for learners to pursue an area of special interest.
Program Objectives
The program objectives are:
- To assess the health status and social determinants of health of their practice population and address interventions targeting these needs.
- To implement quality improvement strategies within their clinical practice.
- To recognize and report significant diseases or disease patterns to public health.
- To engage in regular reflective self-directed learning and continuing professional development.
- To understand research methods and critically appraise research.
- To demonstrate leadership skills in their professional practice environments.
Admission Criteria
To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Hold an appropriate bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized university with at least a mid-B average in the final year of the degree.
- Have a valid license in a regulated health profession in Canada or equivalent.
- Provide proof of English language proficiency.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 10.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) within the maximum time limit of 3 years as a full-time student. The program includes:
- Core courses such as Introduction to Public Health Sciences, Appraising and Applying Evidence to Assist Clinical Decision-Making, and Social, Political and Scientific Issues in Family Medicine.
- A practicum that provides an opportunity for learners to apply and reflect on the theory and knowledge gained in coursework.
- Elective courses that enhance the learning experience and provide focused study on a particular topic.
Practicum
The practicum involves a minimum of 320 hours of hands-on application of knowledge obtained via coursework. Students must identify and meet regularly with a practicum field supervisor, and all practicum projects require the approval of the Program Director.
Electives
Students are encouraged to take elective courses that will enhance their learning experience and provide focused study on a particular topic. Potential electives include Continuing Education in Health Professions, Theory and Practice of Behaviour Change in Primary Care, and Practical Management Concepts and Cases in Leading Small Health Organizations.
MPH: Family and Community Medicine – Advanced Standing
Applicants who have completed the public health curriculum of an accredited Canadian medical school and/or meet the required examinable competencies of the Medical Council of Canada may be interested in the MPH: Family and Community Medicine – Advanced Standing option.