Master of Family Medicine (Clinical)

Course code: 2677 + Course abbreviation: (MFMClin) + Total credit points required: 72 + 6 semesters part-time

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Clayton – P/T only)

Course description

The Department of General Practice offers this program to general practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in areas relevant to general practice. It provides them with the opportunity to develop their clinical skills within a general practice setting. Recognition of prior learning is available.

Course objectives

On completion of this course, graduates 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. appreciate the nature and scope of general practice research including similarities and differences to research in other medical disciplines; 6. practice critical appraisal of literature and evidence for daily practice; 7. carry out clinical audits as a means of quality assurance of medical practice as well as means of gaining the skills of reflective learning; 8. demonstrate knowledge and skills in a number of chosen areas of special interest as defined in the objectives and content of individual elective subjects of this course; and 9. demonstrate an understanding of the theories of learning and teaching and their application to teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and members of the community in aspects of family medicine.

Course structure

The course is offered part-time over three years by off-campus learning, or full-time over one year (with credit for prior studies) if students have completed the Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine.

The coursework includes three compulsory core units as listed below, together with a selection of elective units and/or modules.

Core units

MFM2000 Principles of general practice
MFM2006 Introduction to research methods
MFM2007 Learning and teaching

Elective units

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 will include coursework participation, formal assignments, projects and some weekend workshops.

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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