Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine

Course code: 1759 + Course abbreviation: GradDipFamMed + Total credit points required: 48 + 4 semesters part-time

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Clayton – P/T only)

Course description

This course, offered by the Department of General Practice, has been specifically designed for general practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in areas relevant to general practice and to meet their own personal and professional needs as well as the needs of their patients and the community in which they practice. Opportunities may exist to upgrade to the masters degree program.

Course objectives

On completion of this course students should be able to: 1. accurately define and describe the nature of the discipline of general practice including its history, philosophy and practice; 2. compare and contrast general practice with other medical specialties; 3. appreciate the significance of patient centeredness in differentiating general practice from other disciplines; 4. understand the role of the general practitioner as the gatekeeper of the health care system and the implications of this role in providing cost-effective primary medical care to the community; 5. recognise the potential for growth in the academic aspects of general practice in the future and the contribution that graduates from this course can make to this growth; 6. appreciate the nature and scope of general practice research including similarities and differences to research in other medical disciplines; and 7. acquire knowledge and skills in a number of chosen areas of special interest as defined in the elective units of this course.

Course structure

Students are required to complete two core units, plus three 8-point elective units or a mix of electives and 4 point modules.

Core units

MFM2000 Principles of general practice
MFM2006 Introduction to research methods

Electives

MFM1002 Clinical nutrition
MFM1004 Dermatology
MFM1005 Preventive care in clinical practice
MFM1006 Women’s health
MFM1007 Child health
MFM1008 Practice management
MFM1012 Community geriatrics
MFM1014 Musculoskeletal medicine
MFM1017 Ethics
MFM1019 Ophthalmology

Modules

CGP1002 Depression and other mood disorders
CGP1003 Anxiety
CWH1001 Women's health
DFM3002 Stress management
DFM3003 Pain management
DFM3004 Palliative care
DFM3005 Preventive care
DFM3006 Issues in general practice prescribing
DFM3007 Diabetes
DFM3008 Men’s sexual and reproductive health
DFM3009 Evidence-based general practice
DFM3010 Cardiovascular health

Assessment

Assessment is by coursework participation, assignments with occasional special projects and some weekend workshops, plus formal examinations from time to time.

Contact details

Postgraduate administrative officer: telephone: +61 3 8575 2217; email: gen.prac@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/general-practice/teaching/pgrad.html

Course coordinator

Professor Leon Piterman

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