Master of Family Medicine
Introduction
For postgraduates, the Department conducts the Masters in Family Medicine Programme which was started in 1989. In 1997, the Conjoint Board of Specialization in Family Medicine (Jawatankuasa Kecil Pengkhususan Perubatan Keluarga [JKKPPK]) was established to ensure the standardization of the Master of Family Medicine Programme. This Board is well represented by academic staff from University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, International Islamic University Malaysia, representatives from the Family Health Division, Ministry of Health and the Academy of Medicine Malaysia.
Objectives
The general objectives are to train doctors in the field of Family Medicine with emphasis on:
- Continuing, comprehensive, and personalised care to individual and family
- Early detection and management of illness
- Prevention of disease and maintenance of health
- Management of patients in the community setting
Specific Objectives:
At the end of the four-year course, the postgraduate student should be able to demonstrate certain knowledge, attitude and skills as listed below:
a) Knowledge
- Principles and practice of Family Medicine
- Roles and responsibilities of a Family Physician
- Structure, functions, development and life cycle of the family
- Health and illness behaviour of individual and family
- Principles of Community Medicine in relation of health promotion, prevention and identification of risk factors
- Principle of management in relation to the practice of Family Medicine
- Principles and methodology for research and education in Family Medicine.
b) Attitude
- A strong sense of responsibility and commitment for the total and continuing care of the individual and family during health, illness, rehabilitation and bereavement
- Compassion, empathy and an advocate to the patients
- Strong desire to maintain maximum patients' satisfaction
- Approach to patient care
- Regard quality assurance and research as integral parts of Family Medicine
- Regard continuing medical education as an essential and life long professional responsibility
- Continuing interest and enthusiasm in Family Medicine
c) Skills in combining the art of Family Medicine and the application of Medical and Social Sciences in aspects pertaining to:
- Communication and interpersonal relationship
- Patient education and counseling
- Support for children during their growth and development as well as adjustment to family and society
- Prevention of diseases e.g. immunisation and healthy lifestyles
- Identification of health risk factors
- Early diagnosis of undifferentiated health problems 9
- Evaluation and management of common health problems in clinic, home or hospital setting
- Coordination and utilization of available and appropriate resources in the community needed for the care of the patient
- Rehabilitative and palliative care
- Health maintenance and screening
- Management and Family Practice
- Research and Education in Family Medicine
These objectives are to fulfil the hopes of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, to increase the standard of health care for the individual and family. This includes having more effective utilisation of available health care services at Health Centres, Polyclinics and District Hospitals, reducing the number of inappropriate referrals to specialised clinics in hospitals and reducing the number of hospital admissions. These objectives are also in line with the hopes of the Malaysian government to shape healthy families and communities.
Programme structure
The study programme comprises three stages as follows:
a) Stage I: Clinical training in the first year of study in a hospital formally recognised by the Faculty in the following disciplines: General Medicine, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
b) Stage II: Speciality posting for six (6) months and eighteen (18) months of clinical training in Family Medicine in the second and third year of study in centres formally recognised by the Faculty.
c) Stage III: The fourth year of study comprising:
- advanced training in Family Medicine
- family case studies
- keeping of a Practice Diary of selected cases based on clinical training; and
- research
Duration of study
The minimum duration of study shall be four years while the maximum duration of study shall be seven years.
Entry Requirements for Master of Family Medicine
Entry qualifications
- The degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University or an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Senate; and
- At least one year of post-full registration clinical experience approved by the Senate.
Other requirements
- Qualifies for registration as a medical practitioner under the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) of Malaysia; and
- Satisfies an Entrance Evaluation conducted by the Faculty of Medicine.
How to apply
- For Ministry of Health, Malaysia applicants go to Sistem Permohonan Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP) website at http://ehlp.moh.gov.my/.
- For applicants who are not from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, go to https://medicine.um.edu.my/master-of-family-medicine-mfammed for information on the application.
