Diploma Family Medicine

Diploma Family Medicine

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 06, 2023 05:21 PM IST

What is Diploma in Family Medicine

Diploma Family Medicine (DFM) is a program offered to candidates with a graduation degree in the field of medicine. Being a diploma course in a specialisation, the program offers candidates with specialised knowledge. Family Medicine is a field of specialisation under which medical professionals impart knowledge to provide medical treatment of all types to all members of a family. The professional can offer treatment to family members of all ages and gender.

Diploma Family Medicine equips medical professionals to offer comprehensive healthcare services, recommend clinical tests, keep track of chronic illness, and also recommend a specialist in case of requirement. Professionals also learn how to make long-term relationships with patients and their families in order to provide continuous medical consultation.

Highlights

Particulars

Highlights

Duration

2 years

Degree

Diploma

Eligibility

MBBS degree

Academic Session

Semester Based

Admission Process

Direct Admission/ Merit Based

Mode of Learning

Full Time and Part-Time

Estimated Diploma in Family Medicine fee

Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 Lakh

Career options after the course

General Physician

Medical Researcher

Hospital Administration

Lecturer

Self-Practise

Top Recruiters

All India Institute of medical science

NGO’s

Govt Medical college

Health care organizations

Kapardhi doctor’s recruitment

Average Salary

Rs. 3 lakhs - Rs. 9 lakhs

Diploma Family Medicine Eligibility

The eligibility criteria to get admission for Diploma in Family Medicine in various medical institutes in India is as follows:

  • Candidates aspiring to apply for the diploma course must have completed an MBBS degree or should be in the final year of the degree. The degree-granting institute must be recognised by either state or central education boards.

  • Candidates applying for the diploma course must have an aggregate of 50% in the graduation level.

The eligibility criteria for Diploma Family Medicine is very easy to understand. Some institutes may have some additional criteria, but these two are the most commonly included in the admission criteria.

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Diploma in Family Medicine Admission

Different admission procedures apply to students enrolling in Diploma in Family Medicine courses, depending on the school. On a first-come, first-served basis, students are admitted to various colleges. Some universities admit students to Diploma in Family Medicine programmes on the basis of merit or a cut-off score on an entrance exam, while others do not. The following qualifying criteria and admission process must be met in order to pursue a Diploma in Family Medicine:

Admission process

Many medical colleges and research institutes offer Diplomas in Family Medicine (DFM) to candidates aspiring to pursue a career in this domain. The steps to take admission in this program are:

  • Candidates applying must ensure he/she fulfils the eligibility criteria laid down by the institute offering the diploma.

  • Followed by step one, candidates must give an entrance exam for admission in the diploma program. Some colleges offer admissions based on a common entrance test but some institutes have their entrance exam. The form for the entrance exam can be filled out online.

Or

  • Some medical institutes offer admission based on the cumulative score in MBBS. For this purpose, candidates are required to fill in complete details of marks obtained in a form usually available on college websites.

  • After checking the cut-off, candidates securing a seat in the diploma course must present all the original documents at the college campus.

Cutoff of top colleges

A cut-off score for the Diploma in Family Medicine is a set of criteria used to determine a student's entrance test or merit score. Those who score below the cut-off percentage, rank, or marks are admitted to the college. Each college's cutoff for the Diploma in Family Medicine is determined by the qualifying examination and the number of people who take the test.

Diploma in Family Medicine Skills Required

Candidates aspiring to pursue Diploma in Family Medicine must have a set of skills. These skills can help candidates to gain maximum knowledge during the course and also ensure a fulfilling career in the domain of family medicine.

Communication Skills: As a family medicine doctor, an individual is required to provide primary medical care to patients of all ages and gender. Good communication skills ensure that patients feel comfortable in sharing his/her medical history; allowing for better treatment.

Problem-Solving Skills: Good problem-solving skills offer medical professional knowledge to determine the cause of medical problems, and identify and analyse different alternative solutions to the problem and its correct implementation.

Understanding Of Human Psychology: As a medical professional, an individual is required to understand human psychology very effectively. It allows him/her to offer effective treatment for long-lasting results.

Scientific and Medical Skills: Good understanding of basic and advanced science along with medical skills like diagnosis and treatments allow a family medicine doctor to provide the best care to patients.

Patient Care Skills: Ensuring a calm and composed environment, good understanding skills, and immediate and less painful care are some of the ways by which patient care skills can be developed.

Management Skills: To run a clinic, management skills are a must. At a clinic, an individual is required to work with a team and give instructions regarding various processes. Good managerial skills will ensure the smooth functioning of the clinic.

Decision-Making Skills: When it comes to medical problems, patients rely on doctors to make a decision for them. Good decision-making skills will help in ensuring the best care for patients.

Diploma in Family Medicine Syllabus

The complete diploma family medicine course is very insightful and specialised. It includes subjects like:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Care of newborn- Growth and development

Paediatrics (Failure to thrive, PEM, Mental retardation and Speech disorders)

Medical record-keeping

Normal/Abnormal Labour

Patient education and counselling

Menopause and HRT

Family practice management

Genitourinary system

Ethics and medico-legal issues

Menopause and HRT

Environmental and occupational health

Surgery and Allied Subjects- General surgery

Surgery and Allied Subjects- General surgery

Joints/immune system

Obstetrics and Gynecology ( Pelvic pain, Adnexal mass, and PID)

Obstetrics and Gynecology- Amenorrhea and Menorrhagia

Paediatrics

Oto-rhino-laryngology

Medicine and Allied Subjects (Cardiology, Endocrinology)

Haematology

Semester 3

Semester 4

Children with abdominal pain

UTI in children

Child with a Heart murmur

Obstetrics and Gynecology- Infertility and management

Paediatrics- Acute Diarrhoea

Paediatrics- Anaemia in a child

Obstetrics and Gynecology- Overview of Vaginitis

Contraception

Hepatomegaly

MTP

Cervical Cancer

Child with wheeze

Medicine and Allied Subjects- Infections & Infestations

Psychiatry

Screening for Malignancy in Female

Radiology

Disorders of Micturition in Female

Medicine and Allied Subjects- Respiratory system

Medical emergencies

Dermatology

Ophthalmology

Surgery and Allied Subjects- General Surgery

Neurology, Surgery and Allied Subjects- General surgery

Orthopaedics

Degree fee structure

The complete course fees of Diploma Family Medicine depend on aspects like the mode of education, location of the institute, the rank of the institute, affiliation of the institute, and other relevant factors in this regard.

However, in general, a candidate aspiring to pursue Diploma in Family Medicine from a renowned institute may need to pay a fee between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 Lakh. The fees include tuition, examination, and laboratory fees.

Scope of the Diploma in Family Medicine

To keep pace with the current scenario in terms of digitisation in education, many institutes now offer online Diplomas in Family Medicine. The online course can be spread over a period of two years or six months, depending on the institute. The course curriculum is typically the same and the practical classes are also held offline in the last few months of the course. Regular classes for the online diploma are held on a fixed day and time.

In addition to this, many institutes offering this diploma course have adopted an advanced curriculum integrating practices from around the globe. This allows candidates to learn and gain all the advanced skills and treatments.

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Career option after the Diploma in Family Medicine

Candidates with a Diploma Family Medicine certificate can take up jobs with renowned hospitals and research institutes. Some of the job roles that candidates can take up are:

General Physician: Candidates can take up a job as a family physician at a leading hospital. As a family medical practitioners, professionals will be required to offer primary care to individuals of all age groups and maintain good relationships with patients.

Medical Researcher: The field of medical research is open for candidates with Diploma in Family Medicine. In this role, a professional will be required to carry out research on treatments, causes, and diagnoses of various medical ailments.

Hospital Administrator: Candidates with good managerial skills and knowledge of medical science can take up a job as a hospital administrator. In this role, an individual will be required to ensure the proper functioning of all departments.

Lecturer: Candidates with an interest in teaching can become professors with renowned medical institutes. An understanding of teaching methodology and good command over communication skills is required to achieve success as a professor.

Self-practice: Candidates can also start their clinic offering consultation to patients requiring primary care.

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Benefits of studying Diploma in Family Medicine

After passing a family medicine specialist course, students can choose how and where they want to work. Students can practise individually or in a clinic they own or co-own, where they can collaborate with other physicians. This is also a fantastic opportunity for skill development and knowledge sharing. Part-time practice is also an option for students. Family medicine is a very rewarding job option in India, with several possibilities to choose from.

Expected salary

The beginner-level income of professionals with a Diploma in Family Medicine can earn is given in the following table. Have a look at it:

Job Profile

Salary (Annual)

General Physician

Rs. 7 lakhs - Rs. 9 lakhs p.a. approximately

Medical Researcher

Rs. 6 lakhs - Rs. 7 lakhs p.a. approximately

Hospital Administration

Rs. 3 lakhs - Rs. 4 lakhs p.a. approximately

Lecturer

Rs. 7 lakhs - Rs. 8 lakhs p.a. approximately

Self-Practise

Rs. 4 lakhs - Rs. 5 lakhs p.a. approximately

The salary figures mentioned anywhere in these articles are just for reference purposes. Please treat them as such. Actual salaries may vary depending on respective candidates, employer, job location and numerous other factors.

Top government Diploma in Family Medicine colleges in India

Colleges

Fee Structure (Entire Course)

Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Kolkata

NA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Diploma Family Medicine A Good Career Option After MBBS?

Yes, Diploma Family Medicine opens up a plethora of opportunities for medical professionals. The course also offers candidates with a great learning opportunity.

2. Can I Pursue Diploma Family Medicine Online?

Yes, candidates can pursue Diploma Family Medicine as an online course. Some Indian medical institutes offer the course online. The time duration of the course can vary between 6 months to 2 years.

3. What Do Family Medicine Doctors Do?

Family medicine doctors are trained with skills to offer consultation for all medical ailments of any part of the body. They have the knowledge to treat patients of all ages or gender. Overall, a family medicine doctor can offer primary medical care for anyone with any medical problem.

4. What Are The Courses In Family Medicine?

Candidates aspiring to pursue a career in the domain of family medicine can pursue diploma family medicine or MD family medicine degree. While a diploma is a short term course, an MD is a long term degree.

5. What Is The Scope Of Family Medicine?

The career scope for skilled medical professionals in the field of family medicine is very good in India. It is because of the diverse knowledge a family medicine doctor has that makes him/her more approachable by patients.

6. Is Family Medicine A Good Speciality?

Yes, family medicine is a good speciality to pursue. It is because the speciality prepares candidates to offer primary care to patients with any medical ailments belonging to age or gender.

7. What Is The Meaning Of Family Medicine?

Family medicine is a category of primary care that equips medical professionals with skills and knowledge to offer primary care to patients. The medical professional can offer treatment to patients of all age groups and patients.

8. What Is The Difference Between Family Medicine And Internal Medicine?

The most basic difference between family medicine and internal medicine is that medical professionals in these fields cater to patients of all age groups and patients of only the adult category, respectively. However, these are both categories of primary medical care.

9. What Is Primary Medical Care?

Primary medical care refers to the first consultation provided to a patient. A primary healthcare provider acts as the first point of contact on visiting a medical care institute to get treatment. A primary care specialist can provide consultation for a large number of medical problems to patients of different age groups. If required, a primary care provider refers patients to specialists.

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