The Board of Study in Family Medicine (BOS) conducts the training programmes and the examinations in family medicine. There are large numbers of patients in Sri Lanka who seeks advice and care for different ailments and problems from general practitioners. The main purpose of the programme is to produce a diplomat to improve the quality and standard of such expected care.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced new circulars and guidelines to improve the quality of all training programmes in the University System to keep in line with the developments and changes in the Postgraduate Education in the world. Another reason to do so is to maintain uniformity in all training programmes. The instructions in circulars and guidelines will assist the trainers and trainees to participate in activities in the training programmes fully when they are informed in detail regarding different components in the programmes in the prospectus. The Postgraduate Diploma is also one of the requirements to register in the MD training programme in Family Medicine to proceed to higher levels of training in the discipline. The Ministry of Health recognises the Postgraduate Diploma for promotion of medical officers of the ministry to Grade 1.

To offer opportunities for postgraduate training in General/Family practice to the doctors already working in primary care situations and to create a pathway to acquire the higher qualification of MD in family Medicine

The training provided to the candidates will enable them to provide a higher level of comprehensive and continuous health care in the family practice setting. At the completion of the training programme the trainees are expected to be competent in;

1. Providing personalized, comprehensive care, with continuity and coordination of care at primary care level.
   2. Effective management of common health problems in the locality of the family practice.
   3. Dealing with emergencies, giving proper initial management, with appropriate coordination of further care
   4. Applying knowledge of clinical, behavioural & social sciences in patient management.
   5. Effective communication with patients, family, colleagues & other health care workers and community.
   6. Promoting health, providing preventive care and supporting the national health programmes.
   7. Practicing cost-effective management with knowledge in health economics.
   8. Skills for good practice management.
   9. Medical record keeping, clinical audit, and recognizing the importance of quality assurance.
   10. Critical appraisal of medical information presented in the literature and by pharmaceutical firms.
   11. Undertaking needs-based research in the community.
   12. Handling medico-legal issues and maintain professional ethical standards.
   13. In respecting the autonomy, dignity and rights of the patient and family.
   14. Self directed lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

(a) A medical degree registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council1*

(b) Satisfactory completion of internship acceptable to the Sri Lanka Medical Council

(c) In the case of an applicant from the Ministry of Health satisfactory completion of one year of post-internship service in a university/public sector/private sector institution in Sri Lanka acceptable to the PGIM

OR

In the case of a full-time general practitioner or a permanent academic staff member from a medical faculty satisfactory completion of one year of post-internship service in a university/public sector/private sector institution in Sri Lanka acceptable to the PGIM

(d) The criteria prescribed in paragraph (a) to (c) must have been satisfied by the applicant at the date of closure of applications for the selection examination in family medicine.

(e) Where a shortfall has occurred due to any reason including sick, maternity or other leave, the applicant should complete such shortfall to be eligible to apply for the selection examination.

Please refer to the relevant prospectus for the most up to date information. The prospectus of a particular programme contains official information pertaining to a programme approved by the Board of Management, University Senate and the University Grants Commission