Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

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 meet the needs of patients and the community.

On completion of this course students should be able to:

• accurately define and describe the nature of the discipline of general practice including its history, philosophy and practice
• compare and contrast general practice with other medical specialties
• appreciate the significance of patient centeredness in differentiating general practice from other disciplines
• 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
• 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
• appreciate the nature and scope of general practice research including similarities and differences to research in other medical disciplines
• acquire knowledge and skills in a number of chosen areas of special interest as defined in the elective units of this course.

24 credit points

Assessment

Assessment is by coursework participation, assignments and audit completion.

Accredited with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development program.

The course consists of:

• two core units (24 points)
• 24 points of either 12-credit-point elective units or 6-credit-point elective modules as listed below.

Core units

• MFM2000 Principles of general practice
• MFM2006 Introduction to research methods

Elective units

• MCM9204 Dermatology
• MCM9207 Child health
• MCM9212 Community geriatrics
• MCM9301 Women's sexual and reproductive health in general practice

Modules

• MCM9014 Musculoskeletal medicine
• MCM9017 Medical ethics
• MCM9019 Ophthalmology
• MCM9201 Depression and anxiety disorders in general practice
• MCM9202 Clinical nutrition
• MCM9204 Palliative care
• MCM9208 Practice management
• MCM9302 Stress management
• MCM9303 Pain management
• MCM9305 Preventive care in clinical practice
• MCM9306 Issues in general practice prescribing
• MCM9307 Diabetes
• MCM9308 Men's sexual and reproductive health
• MCM9310 Cardiovascular health

Minimum grade for articulation

A minimum result of 65 per cent in MFM2006 is required for articulation to the masters program.

This course articulates with the Master of Family Medicine.

Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine