Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) Programme B

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Programme B Details

The MMed (FM) Programme B is a structured training programme for family physicians in Singapore. It is jointly organised by the College of Family Physicians Singapore and the Division of Graduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore.

Application form for the programme can be found on the College website.


Aims and Objectives:

The aim of this 1 year part-time course is to provide a comprehensive and structured training programme for doctors working in primary care who have already completed the 8 modules of the family medicine modular course to prepare them to sit for the Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) Examinations.


Eligibility:

The intending course participant must have the following entry requirements: 

  • Work experience – Has practiced at least 5 years in primary care or recognized equivalent to be eligible to register for this programme. The intending course participant must be in active practice, preferably full-time or not less than 28 hrs per week. Work experience practicing part-time or as locum tenens will not be counted as work experience.
  • Training – The satisfactory completion of the Family Medicine Modular Course of 8 modules over two years is required.
  • Practice audit – The trainee’s practice need to a certification that it fulfils the audit requirements for Family Medicine training. The focus is on the case mix, workload, and level of practice.
  • Ability to work at least 28 hours a week during the programme year  -- The trainee will need to have a signed undertaking that he or she is able to continue to work at least 28 hours a week fulfil the one year work experience whilst under training. Failure to fulfill this requirement will not fulfil the examination requirements.
  • Registration with SMC – Full or conditional.


Course Overview:

The programme is designed for mature practicing doctors. Each trainee is attached to a supervisor assigned by the College of Family Physicians. The tutorials and FM Rounds are usually conducted from 5.15pm to 6.45pm weekly.

The structured training programme for Programme B consists of the following:

Components

Frequency

Special remarks

1. FM Joint sessions

10 per year

Structured monthly programme – these are joint teaching sessions with the Programme A trainees.

2. Small group tutorials

30 per year

 

These include CME sessions, tutorials and other teaching in the clinics. These are customized according to the individual needs of the trainees.

3.Clinical refresher course

5 day compulsory course

This is to revise the clinical examination skills and patient clerking skills.

4.   Self directed learning

Throughout the learning period

Learning through practice -- each trainee is encouraged to keep a portfolio of their learning – recording a 1 page portfolio for a teachable event.  A Logbook is kept.

5.   Practice audit

Once during the year

A practice audit will be conducted to assess the trainee’s practice management standard.

*An attendance of 75% needs to be fulfilled for each of the components 1-4.

In-training assessment/examinations:

  • MMed Logbook:
    The trainee shall document all training and work experience in the prescribed logbook, which shall be checked and countersigned by the supervisor quarterly.
  • Supervisor’s Assessment:
    The supervisor shall have a formal discussion with the trainee every 6 months for assessment of training and work progress. The supervisor shall submit a formal assessment report to FMTC every 6 months using a prescribed format.
  • 2 Weeks Advanced FM course where foreign experts were brought in to impart his knowledge.


Inability to continue with the same practice:

This may render the trainee’s fulfillment of the 1 year work experience void whilst under the programme, unless arrangements are made to have an alternative training practice that meets audit requirements.



MMed (Programme B) Examination:


Eligibility:

The candidate applying for the MMed (Family Medicine) Examination needs to fulfill the following examination requirements:

  • Work experience – Has practised at least 6 years in primary care or recognized at the time of sitting for the Examination. Work experience practicing part-time or as locum tenens will not be counted as work experience.
  • Satisfactory completion of the modular course – A certificate of satisfactory completion will be issued by the College for trainees who have attended 75% of each module of the course.
  • Satisfactory completion of the clinical refresher course – A satisfactory completion of the 5-day-clinical refresher course is required.
  • Satisfactory completion of the Logbook entries and in-training assessments – In complete logbook entries and unsatisfactory in-training assessments may bar the candidate’s eligibility to sit for the Examination until these shortfalls are rectified.
  • Posses a valid BCLS certificate – An expired certificate may bar the candidate’s eligibility to sit for the Examination. BCLS competency certificate is mandatory for examination applications with DGMS, NUS. Candidates must satisfy this requirement on their own.


Exam Format:

Written Paper (4 Questions comprising of MEQ; Essay; SAQ; Talk)
MCQ (120)
Slide Interpretation (30)
Oral Examinaton (5 Case Commentaries & 1 audit project; Oral interview)
Clinical Examination (2 Long & 4 short cases)


Fees:

MMed (FM) Course Fees (payable to College of Family Physicians Singapore)
College member: $5280 plus S$100 as registration fee (non-refundable)
Non-College member: $5500 plus S$100 as registration fee (non-refundable)

* Additional Fees for Advanced FM course are to be paid separately.


Important Notes:

1) Fees do not include Advanced FM Course Fees, Examination Fees & BCLS
2) Fees are payable to National University of Singapore when applying for examinations