Program Overview

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Programme: PGDip in Family Medicine

Introduction

The Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine is a two-year part-time programme offered by the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health Sciences. The programme is designed to provide medical doctors with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to practice family medicine.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. General Admission Regulations: Refer to the UP Institutional Admissions Policy and the General Academic Regulations and Student Rules.
2. Minimum Admissions Requirements:
   • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (or equivalent) degree
   • Registration as a medical doctor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or registration with the licensing authority in the country of origin
3. Additional Requirements:
   • All applications must be accompanied by certified full academic transcripts, a certified copy of ID or passport, and a research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees)
   • International applicants must submit a SAQA evaluation of their completed qualification, TOEFL or IELTS test results (if applicable), and a certified copy of their passport
4. Departmental Admissions Processes: All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes, which may include interviews, assessments, or other evaluations.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of a modularised curriculum with a blended approach, including campus-based teaching, web-based teaching, and workplace-based learning. The programme is designed to be completed over two years on a part-time basis.

Core Modules

The programme includes the following core modules:

• FFM 700: Family-oriented patient care
• FMD 700: Chronic diseases
• FMF 700: Psychiatry
• FMI 700: Infectious diseases
• FMX 700: Practice management
• HAK 700: Philosophy and principles of family medicine
• PCC 700: Clinical primary care
• PCP 700: Community-orientated primary care

Each module is worth 15 credits, and students must complete a total of 120 credits to graduate.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

1. Assignments: Students must submit assignments for each module, and one resubmission is permitted for each module if the student does not achieve at least 50%.
2. Workplace-based Learning and Assessment: Students must complete a portfolio of learning, which includes evidence of self-directed learning, observations, and learning skills.
3. Final Assessment: An annual assessment of the learning documented in the portfolio is conducted by the Department of Family Medicine.
4. National Exit Examination: Students must pass a national exit examination offered by the College of Family Physicians to graduate.

Pass with Distinction

To pass with distinction, students must achieve an average of at least 75% for the modules and the portfolio.

Regulations and Information

The programme is subject to the General Academic Regulations and Student Rules of the University of Pretoria, as well as the faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information published in the relevant yearbook. Students are responsible for familiarising themselves with these regulations and information.