Application for GDFM Intake 2026 – 2028 has ended.

General Information

Introduction

The GDFM is a structured 2-year part-time training programme for doctors in Singapore. It is organised by the College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS).

Aims and Objective

GDFM aims to provide a comprehensive and structured training programme for doctors who wish to work in primary care and practice Family Medicine at a competent level, catering to the healthcare needs of the child, the adolescent, the adult and the elderly.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the GDFM programme, candidates must:

• Possess a basic degree in medicine (MBBS or an equivalent qualification) that is registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

• Hold full or conditional registration with the SMC. Practitioners with temporary registration must include a letter of recommendation from their Head of Department (HOD). Doctors with provisional registration are not eligible to apply.

• Have at least one full year of working experience in Singapore at the point of course registration.

• Hold a current and valid practicing certificate.

• Practice at least 20 active clinical hours per week.

Course Overview

GDFM is designed for practising doctors who may have busy work schedules. The programme incorporates distance learning components to facilitate the acquisition of core knowledge and skills. Peer interaction, tutoring and expert-led discussions are conducted through e-learning and face-to-face sessions outside regular office hours.

The course is divided into 8 modules, each comprising of 2 learning units. The modules are conducted over a 3-month period and include:

• Reading materials for self-study (Downloadable from e-learning portal)
• Multiple-choice assessments
• 4 interactive Saturday/Sunday afternoon seminars (2.5 hours in duration each)
• 1 tutorial for each module (2-3 hours in duration each)

In addition to the 8 modules, trainees must complete 3 GDFM Practice Management Course (PMC) and 4 elective Family Practice Skill Course (FPSC). These are short courses conducted over weekends that cover specific areas in Family Medicine. College has added in MCQ training (formative assessments) to the programme which will be conducted once every six months to help trainees prepare for the FM AKT Test.

Do note candidates are required to hold a valid BCLS competency certificate which is mandatory for examination applications with DGMS, NUS. Candidates must satisfy the BCLS requirements on their own.

The Joint Committee of Family Medicine Singapore (JCFMS) and the Family Physicians Accreditation Board (FPAB) would like to update on the following:

• Concurrent training in Residency and the Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (GDFM) is not allowed to optimise training resources.
• Prospective GDFM trainees who are undergoing residency training at the start of the programme will not be considered for enrolment to GDFM training.

18 Months of FM-Related Clinical Practice

This requirement and its implementation will be delayed and only apply to trainees entering training in July 2028 onwards. Notwithstanding, all GDFM trainees are strongly encouraged to fulfil the 18-month FM-related clinical experience, including the 6-month primary care experience for clinical training and competence. Medical Officer Posting Exercise (MOPEX) trainees should refer to the list of FM-related clinical experience below and it is necessary for them to select the relevant MOPEX postings as first choice in order for MOHH to prioritise them for the postings.

Recognised FM-related clinical postings are:

Programme Details

• 8 Modules

There are 8 modules under GDFM and each module comprise of 4 workshops conducted over four weekend afternoons per quarter. These workshops will be delivered in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format by specialists and Family Medicine (FM) experts.

Three workshops per module will be conducted via ZOOM. One workshop per module will involve appointed trainees participating in a live OSCE session at the College Academic Training Centre. This session will also be broadcasted live over ZOOM for the rest of the cohort.

Full attendance (i.e. 100% attendance per module) is mandatory for completion for each FMMC module. The eight modules are:

• Module 1 : Respiratory System; Special Sensory System

• Module 2 : Child & Adolescent Health; Gastrointestinal System

• Module 3 : Metabolic Health; Hematologic & Immune system; Data interpretation; Cancer Screening; Palliative Medicine

• Module 4 : Geriatric Medicine; Psychiatric Medicine

• Module 5 : Population & Patient based System; Dermatological System

• Module 6 : Occupational Medicine; Procedures; Renal, Male Reproductive & Endocrine System

• Module 7 : The Female Reproductive System (Reproductive Age & Menopause) Emergent Problems & Acute Medicine; Musculoskeletal System

• Module 8 : The Female Reproductive System (Pregnancy); Neurological System; Cardiovascular System

At the end of each workshop, trainees are required to log on to the e-learning website and complete a reflection form on the learning points of the workshops. Trainees should share the reflections forms completed to the tutors during their milestone check.

• GDFM Tutorials

The GDFM tutorials are conducted once per quarter, following the completion of the 4 workshops. Tutorials will focus on the theme of the module for that particular quarter. Each trainee will be assigned to a tutorial group consisting of 8-10 trainees, mentored by 2–3 GDFM tutors. Trainees are responsible for coordinating with their respective tutors to schedule the tutorial at a mutually agreed location and time.

Over the 2-year course, there will be a total of 8 face-to-face tutorials, all of which are compulsory. Trainees must sign the tutorial attendance sheet to confirm their participation.

• E-Learning & Formative Assessment

Quarterly MCQ Assessment & 6-monthly Formative Assessment

At the end of each module, trainees are required to log on to the e-learning website and complete the MCQ assessments on the module covered in the quarter. These MCQ assessments are compulsory.

College has introduced a 6-monthly formative assessment into the training. The objective of these assessments is to help trainees prepare for the GDFM Part 1 Examination (FM AKT Test). These assessments include Full (180 MCQ) and Half (90 MCQ)Formative Assessment, both of which are compulsory.

• GDFM Practice Management Courses (PMC)

GDFM Practice Management Courses (PMC) focus on developing basic clinical diagnostic and management skills essential for general practice. These courses will be conducted throughout the two-year training programme. The 3 GDFM PMC courses are:

Miscellaneous fees may be subjected to change when applicable.