The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PgDFM) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare professionals who wish to advance their expertise in primary care and comprehensive patient management. This programme is not intended for fresh candidates; it is aimed at experienced practitioners seeking to enhance their career prospects, deepen their knowledge, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Family medicine is at the heart of healthcare delivery, focusing on holistic, patient-centred care across all ages and conditions. This postgraduate diploma provides learners with advanced insights into clinical assessment, evidence-based treatment strategies, chronic disease management, preventive healthcare, and the integration of mental and physical health in family practice. Emphasis is placed on leadership, professionalism, and ethical decision-making, preparing learners to take on more advanced roles within their practice or healthcare organisations.
Centres delivering this qualification must ensure they have competent and qualified teaching staff, supported by robust academic and clinical expertise. Access to the latest learning resources, research materials, and practical training facilities is essential to provide learners with the tools required for success. High-quality delivery and assessment standards ensure that learners gain both the theoretical knowledge and applied skills needed to excel in modern family medicine.
By completing this postgraduate diploma, learners will be better positioned to contribute to the improvement of healthcare outcomes, strengthen their professional practice, and progress into leadership roles within the field of family medicine.
Course Contents of QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PgDFM):
The QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PgDFM), offers 120 Credits, requiring a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours, including 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
| Unit Ref# | Unit Title | Credits | GLH | TQT |
| QC27210- 1 | Advanced Principles of Family Medicine and Primary Care | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27210-2 | Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Patient Management in Family Practice | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27210-3 | Management of Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity in Primary Care | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27210-4 | Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion, and Community-Based Care | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27210-5 | Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Decision-Making in Family Medicine | 20 | 100 | 200 |
| QC27210-6 | Professionalism, Ethics, and Leadership in Primary Healthcare | 20 | 100 | 200 |
Entry Requirements for the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PgDFM):
- Minimum Age: Learners must be at least 21 years old at the time of enrolment.
- Educational Background: Applicants should hold a relevant Level 5 qualification or equivalent in medicine, nursing, or health sciences from a recognised institution.
- Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of clinical or healthcare practice is recommended, ideally within family medicine, general practice, or community healthcare.
- Language Proficiency: Learners must demonstrate proficiency in English. Non-native speakers should provide evidence such as IELTS 6.0 or equivalent to ensure they can meet academic and professional communication standards.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Applicants must show a strong commitment to ongoing professional development, demonstrating motivation to expand their knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise.
- Access to Required Resources: Learners should have access to reliable internet, digital learning platforms, clinical practice environments, and essential study materials to successfully complete the programme.
These requirements ensure that only suitably qualified and motivated healthcare professionals are admitted, enabling them to gain the maximum benefit from this advanced qualification in family medicine and primary healthcare practice.
Learning Outcomes for the QualCert Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PgDFM):
Advanced Principles of Family Medicine and Primary Care
- Understand the foundations, scope, and philosophy of family medicine within healthcare systems
- Apply holistic approaches to patient care across diverse populations and age groups
- Analyse the role of family physicians in integrating preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care
- Evaluate models of primary healthcare delivery and their impact on patient outcomes
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Patient Management in Family Practice
- Perform structured clinical assessments for a wide range of common and complex conditions
- Apply diagnostic reasoning to formulate accurate and timely clinical decisions
- Develop effective, evidence-based management plans tailored to individual patients
- Demonstrate safe prescribing practices and appropriate use of investigations in family practice
Management of Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity in Primary Care
- Assess and manage patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and COPD
- Apply strategies for integrated care of patients with multiple chronic diseases
- Support self-management and lifestyle modification in chronic disease care
- Coordinate multidisciplinary approaches to improve quality of life for patients with multimorbidity
Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion, and Community-Based Care
- Implement preventive strategies for communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Promote health education and behaviour change within community settings
- Apply principles of screening, vaccination, and risk reduction in primary care
- Develop community-based initiatives to address population health needs
Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Decision-Making in Family Medicine
- Critically evaluate clinical research relevant to family medicine
- Apply evidence-based guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes
- Use clinical data and research findings to support decision-making in practice
- Conduct small-scale audits or projects to enhance service delivery and quality of care
Professionalism, Ethics, and Leadership in Primary Healthcare
- Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in patient-centred care
- Apply legal and ethical frameworks to clinical decision-making in family practice
- Lead and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- Develop leadership and management skills to improve healthcare delivery and service quality
The QualCert Level 6 Diploma in Family Medicine is designed for healthcare professionals who are already working within medical and clinical environments and wish to enhance their expertise in primary care and family practice. This qualification is not intended for beginners, but for experienced practitioners who want to expand their professional competencies, improve career prospects, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
This course is particularly suitable for:
- Medical practitioners, doctors, and physicians working in general practice or primary care
- Healthcare professionals involved in patient assessment, diagnosis, and management within family medicine
- Practitioners managing chronic diseases and multimorbidity in community and clinical settings
- Clinicians seeking to advance their knowledge in preventive medicine, health promotion, and community-based care
- Professionals aiming to take on leadership roles in primary healthcare services
- Learners committed to evidence-based practice, clinical research, and ethical patient-centred care
By undertaking this diploma, learners will be equipped with advanced skills in family medicine, enabling them to deliver high-quality, holistic, and sustainable healthcare within diverse communities.
Centres delivering the QualCert Level 6 Diploma in Family Medicine must ensure that they meet the following requirements to maintain quality, compliance, and learner success:
- Qualified Staff: Trainers, assessors, and internal quality assurers must hold relevant qualifications in medicine, healthcare, or related fields, with proven expertise in family medicine and primary care.
- Clinical Expertise: Teaching staff should have practical experience in patient management, chronic disease care, and community-based healthcare delivery.
- Learning Resources: Centres must provide access to up-to-date medical literature, journals, case studies, and clinical guidelines to support evidence-based learning.
- Facilities and Equipment: Adequate classroom, clinical, or virtual learning facilities must be available, equipped with the necessary teaching aids and medical training tools.
- Assessment Systems: Robust procedures must be in place for formative and summative assessment, ensuring fair, valid, and consistent learner evaluation.
- Quality Assurance: Internal quality assurance systems must be implemented to maintain the integrity of delivery, assessment, and certification.
- Learner Support: Centres should provide academic and pastoral support to ensure learners can successfully complete the qualification.
- Compliance: Centres must adhere to QualCert’s policies and regulatory standards, ensuring ethical delivery and learner welfare.
These requirements ensure that the qualification is delivered to the highest professional and academic standards, enabling learners to gain meaningful skills and knowledge in family medicine.