Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine


Course information

Course code: 1759
Department of Community Medicine, East Bentleigh
Fee paying course: course fee $8500 (for Australian residents)
Attendance compulsory for some subjects

Aims

The Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine aims to foster general practitioner critical appraisal skills in reference to the nature of the discipline, its daily practice and its literature and research base. The course also aims to provide a course of study for general practitioners wishing to expand their knowledge and skills relevant to clinical general practice, to meet their own personal and professional needs as well as the needs of the patients and the community in which they practice. Further, it aims to enlarge the pool of potential general practice teachers and researchers which will help enhance the quality and status of general practice teaching and research among professionals and in the wider community.

Professional recognition

Australian candidates enrolled in the diploma will be eligible for an appropriate number of points for vocational registration purposes.

Entry requirements

The course is available for graduates with a minimum of two years postgraduate experience who are currently registered by the medical board in their respective states, or who have a qualification which is registrable in a State of the Commonwealth. Preference will be given to applicants currently employed in active general practice. Applicants for individual subjects and not for award will be considered from a variety of backgrounds including overseas trained doctors. Special consideration will be given to suitably qualified overseas graduates residing in their own country.

Course structure

The course

The course will consist of two 'major' compulsory subjects and three 'minor' elective subjects, conducted part-time over a two-year period. Regular course instruction will be equivalent to two half-day sessions per week, including student assignments. The major subjects will each be conducted over a fourteen-week semester. The elective subjects will each be conducted over a ten-week semester. The subjects are detailed below. To qualify for the graduate diploma candidates must obtain a total of 300 credit points.

Compulsory subjects (75 credit points each)

Elective subjects (50 credit points each)

Three to be selected from the following:

Modules (25 credit points each)

Two modules equivalent to one elective subject:

Credits/exemptions

Candidates who have other equivalent qualifications may apply for exemption for certain subjects in the graduate diploma or masters course. Each case will be considered on its merits.

Further information

For more detailed information and an application form, please contact Ms J Tilbury or Associate Professor L Piterman, Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, telephone (03) 9579 3188 fax (03) 9570 1382.

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to Ms J Tilbury, Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, 867 Centre Road, East Bentleigh, Vic., 3165, by the preferred date of 13 November 1998.