Virtual Open House Session

This is a one-year blended learning diploma offered throughout Pakistan by Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. It has rich audiovisual educational resources in the form of recorded lectures, diverse reading material and clinical guidelines, easily accessible on our Learning Management System on all operating systems and devices.

Orientation of registered participants was held in March 2023.

This diploma is offered in a blended learning mode and has online as well as practical training components. The online component is self-paced with flexibility to adjust to the working schedules of doctors. Interactive live sessions with specialists, the research practicum, formal assessments and clinical rotations are also designed to meet the busy schedule of doctors.

The diploma is supported by WHO, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, and the British Asian Trust. The training can also be accepted into the Master's programme for Family Medicine by Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University.

If you continue for another year, you will be eligible for MRCGP [INT] directly — the shortest route to any international postgraduate degree in family medicine. If you have more than five years' experience, this course will prepare you for the MCPS Family Medicine examination. It will also help you in starting your own clinical practice.

There are two components of assessment. Written exams comprise 100 multiple choice questions to be completed in three hours. The practical component includes OSCE, workplace-based assessment, the research practicum, and clinical rotations with specialists and advanced practitioners.

Participants are required to complete both components to earn a certificate. Clinical rotations are only for doctors with less than five years' experience; those with more than five years are only required to attend workshops.

Participants who successfully complete both components receive a Diploma in Family Medicine from Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. It is supported by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan.

Partially funded scholarships (Rs. 40,000 towards tuition fee) are available only for participants who also enrol in the six-month certificate course on Mental Health and Research for Universal Health Coverage, which is integrated into the Diploma in Family Medicine, after successfully completing their research practicum.

The hands-on research practicum provides an opportunity to integrate and apply research knowledge and skills from coursework in your own area of interest in mental health, under the supervision of the faculty.

There are two tracks. Those with less than five years' experience take a full-time course. Those with five or more years of clinical practice take the part-time course and are required to complete online lectures and workshops.

Training is organised throughout Pakistan. Family medicine attachments and hospital rotations are arranged within your district of residence. Only candidates from Islamabad are trained at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University affiliated departments.

Yes. Participants complete modules on mental health problems and their management, practical skills and an introduction to implementation research, alongside the principles of family medicine, and complete a six-month research practicum to earn the certificate.

The certificate course is currently offered as part of the Diploma in Family Medicine only. Candidates who wish to enrol in the six-month certificate course are required to complete the diploma as well.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Kamoke, Samundri, Okara, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Mian Channu, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Hyderabad, Badin, Naushahro Feroze, Khushab, Taxila, Wah Cantt., Layyah, Kasur, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Jhang, Pattoki, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Peshawar, Swat, Lower Dir, Karak and Abbottabad.