INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN FAMILY MEDICINE

1. A two-year blended learning course including distance learning and hands-on training at one of our dedicated contact centres.
2. Training through contact classes, directed reading, e-learning methods, video-lectures and tutorials in modular form.
3. The course will be of two years duration. The maximum allowable period for the student to complete the course requirements will be four years.
4. Course content:
   • 100 self-Learning modules – for updating knowledge base
   • Video-lectures – for updating knowledge base
   • Two contact programmes – for developing core clinical skills
   • 100 assignments to be completed and submitted
   • Project work
   • Elective Residency Programme (ERP) for tailored skills training
5. Contact programmes: The course will have a one-week contact session in the first year, and a one-week contact session in the second year.
   The programmes include interactive lectures, patient discussions, group activities (role plays, team based learning, etc.), and clinical skills at one of our dedicated contact centres.
6. Assessments: the course assessment will be done in two parts, formative assessment and summative assessment where the formative assessments have equal weightage as the summative assessments.
7. Criteria for awarding of diploma: The student should fulfill the following criteria to successfully complete the course leading to award of diploma:
   • Completion of summative assessment
   • Completion of formative assessment
   • Mandatory attendance in the contact programmes.

The I-PGDFM is open to international doctors serving in low and middle-income countries.

Candidates should possess a basic physician license approved by their respective country to practise allopathic medicine.

Course materials, lectures and contact sessions will be in English. Candidates are required to read, write and speak to a proficient level of English.

Regular access to the internet is needed with sufficient bandwidth to download relevant course material and upload assignments.

1. Impart core principles of Family Medicine like patient-centeredness, comprehensiveness, whole person care, etc.
2. Effective diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses in all age groups, across various disciplines of medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics, dermatology, ENT and ophthalmology.
3. Detection of early stage, life, limb and vision-threatening emergencies for early referral and management.
4. Manage common emergencies that present to a general outpatient set up and refer patient after initial stabilisation.
5. Develop a broad-based comprehensive approach to health problems affecting all age groups.
6. Discuss relevant and updated pathogenesis of diseases in the context of diseases presenting in undifferentiated forms or in the background of chronic diseases.
7. Use syndromic and algorithmic approach to manage health without the use of sophisticated diagnostics.
8. Incorporate cost-effective management.
9. Develop an ethical and compassionate approach to patients under their care.
10. Practice focused clinical history-taking and physical examination in specific clinical settings.
11. Network with the specialists for management of patients requiring secondary or tertiary level care.
12. Implement recognised protocols for health promotion among all age groups.
13. Organise and promote rehabilitation for the disabled.
14. Participate in community health programmes, especially those which are components of national health policies.
15. Be motivated to improvise and problem-solve in resource-poor settings.
16. Facilitate health teams to provide high quality, appropriate, ethical and comprehensive care.
17. Ensure a therapeutic environment for patients and care-givers in health care settings and improve confidence in the health system and health care professionals.
18. Train to standardise documentation and record-keeping.
19. Become teachers who can communicate and train teams, community members and other medical fraternity.

1. Basics of Family Medicine
2. Medicine - Part I
   Neurological Problems & Mental Health
3. Women’s Health - Part I
4. Child Health - Part I
5. Surgical Topics for a Family Physician - Part I
6. Medicine – Part II
   Cardiovascular Problems
7. Medicine – Part III
   Respiratory/Gastrointestinal Problems
8. Becoming a Family Physician – Roles, Responsibilities & Attitudes
9. Medicine - Part IV
   Infections & Genito Urinary Problems
10. Women’s Health – Part II
11. (A & B) Child Health – Part II
12. Surgical Topics for a Family Physician - Part II
13. Medicine - Part V
    Musculoskeletal Problems & Lifestyle Medicine
14. Skin/Blood Problems & Emergencies
15. Occupational Health & Age Specific Problems

Course fees and accreditation: GBP £3,000 per year.

On application, a non-refundable processing fee of £10 is required.

Candidates will need to cover the cost of attending a Contact Centre separately (accommodation and travel to the venue).

There are a limited number of scholarships available.

The next I-PGDFM course begins on 3 May 2021. The application window will open in early January 2021.

Applicants will need to provide the following during the application process:

1. Copy of your MBBS/equivalent Medical Degree Certificate (format: PDF only)
2. Copy of Medical license. (format: PDF only)
3. Passport size photo (format: jpg, jpeg or png, 3.5 x 4.5 cm and less than 250KB)
4. Copy of passport - first and last pages (format: PDF only).

The documents can be uploaded during the application process.

A requirement of the course is attendance at one of our regional contact centres for a one-week face to face training programme in the first year and a one-week programme in year two.

We have contact centres at the following hospitals:

• Bach Christian Hospital, Pakistan
• CMC Vellore, India
• Harpur Memorial Hospital, Egypt
• Mengo Hospital, Uganda
• Mercy Medical Center, Cambodia
• Ogbomisho Baptist Hospital, Nigeria