Unit Code: FMD801

Unit Name: Family Medicine I

Description: This one year course aims to equip doctors with the core knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for high level primary medical care. Topics covered include preventive healthcare and management of acute and chronic illnesses, integrated with consultation skills and a population health approach. Teaching methodology includes weekend workshops, weekly webinars, case-based discussions, and on the job learning. Graduates may work in a variety of primary care settings within Fiji and the Pacific region, including health centres, hospital outpatient departments and general practice clinics. The programme will form the first and prerequisite year for the Master of Family Medicine, which will provide training to specialist level.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate a population health approach to primary medical care, incorporating knowledge of common and important causes of morbidity and mortality in the region. 2. Demonstrate core consultation skills required for successful family medicine, including identification of patients’ ideas, concerns and expectations, basic counselling approaches and negotiation of a shared management plan. 3. Formulate preventive health care plans based on the characteristics and circumstances of individuals, families and communities. 4. Demonstrate evidence based, person centred management of a broad range of acute presentations including emergency presentations. 5. Evaluate patients with common and important chronic diseases including risk factors for chronic disease. Implement basic chronic disease management plans including arranging follow up. 6. Demonstrate competency in multidisciplinary teamwork to co-ordinate referral and follow up of complex cases.

Prerequisite: Minimum Entry Requirement.

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 120

Offered In: Semester 1,2