Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (GDFM)
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Programme Details
The FMTP Modular Course (FMMC)
consists of 4 weekend afternoon workshops per quarter. The structure of each
module consists of 2 units. Each unit consists of 4 chapters; each chapter
has 2 case studies. One workshop covers 4 case studies. At each workshop, the
case studies of 2 chapters would be covered, i.e. 4 case studies. The active
tutorial groups are to present to the class on the case study they are
assigned to. The rest of the trainees are encouraged to field questions
relating to the case studies. Attendance of at least 3 of the 4 workshops
(i.e. minimum 75% attendance per module) is mandatory for each FMMC module to
be certified complete.
GDFM Tutorials
The GDFM tutorials are conducted once a quarter (after the weekend workshops) and are based on the theme of the FMMC module of that particular quarter. Each trainee is assigned to a tutorial group of 8-10 mentored by 2-3 GDFM tutors. Trainees are to arrange with their respective tutor for the tutorial at a mutually agreed location and time. There are a total of 8 tutorials for the 2 year course and all tutorials are compulsory. Trainees are required to sign on the tutorial attendance sheet.
E-Learning
Case Discussion
Each quarter, trainees in the tutorial group are to take turns to upload a case review to the e-learning website for discussion.
Quarterly MCQ Assessment
Each quarter, trainees are required to log on to the e-learning website and complete the MCQ assessment pertaining to the module covered in the quarter.
GDFM Courses
The GDFM Practice Management Courses emphasize on basic clinical diagnostic and management skills essential to general practice and will be conducted in the two years. The 3 GDFM courses are:
Principles of Family Medicine & Practice Management Skills Course (P & P)
There are 6 units of study delivered through distance learning, e-learning scenarios and one afternoon session of workshop. The e-learning scenarios are conducted on-line via the e-learning website.
Unit 1: Principles of family practice (1)
Unit 2: Principles of family practice (2)
Unit 3: Managing the practice
Unit 4: Computer use & literature search;
Unit 5: Financial management
Unit 6. Practice audit
Consultation, Communication & Counselling Skills Course (CCC)
There are 6 units of study delivered through distance learning, e-learning scenarios and two afternoon sessions of workshops. The e-learning scenarios are conducted on-line via the e-learning website.
Unit 1: Communication in clinical practice
Unit 2: Counselling skills
Unit 3: Behaviour change
Unit 4: Talking to children
Unit 5: Stress management & counselling
Unit 6: Counselling of the dying & bereaved
Professionalism, Ethics & Law Skills Course (PEL)
There are 6 units of study delivered through distance learning, e-learning scenarios and three afternoon sessions of workshops. The e-learning scenarios are conducted on-line via the e-learning website.
Unit 1: Professionalism and Ethics
Unit 2: Law and practice
Unit 3: Medical records & confidentiality
Unit 4: Notification & dispensing
Unit 5: Practice issues, Advertising, PHMC Act
Unit 6: Setting up practice
Trainees are required to complete the GDFM Clinical Revision Course in the same year in which they will be taking the GDFM examination. Trainees are to ensure that they have fulfilled all the requirements of the GDFM programme before attempting on this course. In the event that a trainee needs to retake the revision course, he/she would be liable to pay for the applicable course fees.
The GDFM Clinical Revision Course aims to prepare trainees for the GDFM examinations and is divided into 2 parts:
Written Paper Mock Exam (done via the e-learning website)
The written paper mock exam consists of:
• Applied Knowledge Test (MCQ), and
• Key Features
Problems
Clinical Mock Exam (OSCE)
The OSCE mock exam is conducted via face-to-face session, usually on Saturday afternoon(s), and covers:
• Briefing on GDFM OSCE Examination
• OSCE Demonstration
• OSCE Mock Exercise For Trainees
• Feedback session
One Compulsory Elective (*fees not included in GDFM Programme Fee)
Trainees may choose to do any 1 of the Family Practice Skills Courses (FPSC) conducted by the College of Family Physicians Singapore to be counted as electives under the GDFM programme. Typically each FPSC consists of:
• Distance learning course – six units published in the Singapore Family Physician Journal with MCQ test
• Two Seminars
• One Clinical Teaching Session
• Reading papers: A selection of 10 papers will be presented. Course participants are advised to choose up to five for self-study.
Components may vary from course to course. Trainees are required to fulfil all the required components of the FPSC.
GDFM
Examination
The examination
is conducted by the DGMS, NUS in July/August and consists of:
- Written
Paper
- Applied Knowledge Test (MCQ) paper, 2hours, 25% of the exam
- Key Feature Problems , 1 hour, 20% of the exam - Skills
Assessment by OSCE (Objectively Structured Clinical Examination),
2hours, 50% of the exam
Fees are payable to Division of Graduate Medical Studies, NUS when applying for the examinations.
GDFM Programme Fee
College member: $4,284
Non-college member: $4,716
Programme fee does not include the fees for Family Practice Skills Course, BCLS and examination
Refund Policy
1. 100% refund less registration fee (S$150.00) if the request for withdrawal from the course is made in writing* more than 15 calendar days** before the commencement date of the academic year***.
2. 90% refund if the request for withdrawal from the course is made in writing 15 or less calendar days before the commencement date of academic year.
3. Strictly no refund of fees if request for withdrawal from the course is made after the academic year commences.
* Based on the date when College receives the letter
** Inclusive of Saturdays and Sundays
*** Academic year starts from the date of Commencement Ceremony
GDFM Co-Payment Scheme for non-trainee Medical Officers
The GDFM co-payment scheme for non-trainee Medical Officers aims to encourage young doctors, who are non-trainees, and are currently serving their bond with the clusters, to pursue the GDFM through defrayment of their course fees.
Under the GDFM co-payment scheme, MOH will reimburse $2,000, through JCFMT, to each GDFM trainee who has fulfilled the criteria for the course. The funds for disbursement will be managed by JCFMT and will only be given to trainees who have completed the GDFM exams.
Criteria for eligibility for the GDFM co-payment scheme
1. The GDFM co-payment scheme is only applicable to non-trainee MOs working within the clusters.
2. This co-payment scheme will be applied for 3 years from 2008. GDFM training batches 2008 – 2010, 2009 – 2011 and 2010 – 2012 will qualify for the scheme.
3. Doctors who wish to be eligible for the co-payment scheme will be required to sign up for the scheme with CFPS when they register for the GDFM.
(Retrospective inclusion in the scheme will not be allowed.)
4. To be eligible for the reimbursement, the doctors will be required to sit for their GDFM exams. Reimbursement will be provided upon proof of having attempted the GDFM exams and will be regardless of the exam results.
5. No bond will be imposed on doctors who sign up for the scheme.