Clinical Fellowship Training Programme in Women’s Health for Family Physicians

I About The Programme
II Assessment and Evaluation
III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements
IV Other Information

I About The Programme

Name of Programme

Clinical Fellowship Training Programme in Women’s Health for Family Physicians

Aim of Programme

This Clinical Fellowship program is targeted at overseas Family Physicians who have an interest in Women’s Health.

Duration of Programme

6-12 months

Number of Training Places

2 Fellows at any one time

Learning Outcomes

After completing the programme, Fellows will be able to:

To develop expertise in the diagnosis, management and individualized care of midlife women with a focus on menopause and related health concerns such as sexual health and osteoporosis.

Content Areas

Fellows will undergo hands-on clinical training. Components of training will include:

1. Clinics:
   Fellows will be assigned to observe and run outpatient clinics, under supervision by a consultant. During these clinics, fellows are expected to take a history, perform a focused clinical examination, and discuss the differential diagnoses, investigations, and management of patients. Fellows are expected to also participate in multidisciplinary case discussions/meetings.
2. Inpatient consultations:
   Fellows will be required to follow daily ward rounds to review inpatient referrals, under supervision by a consultant. They are expected to take a history, perform a focused clinical examination, and discuss the differential diagnoses, investigations, and management of patients. Trainee is not required to do night duty and/or be on call.
   
3. Continual medical education (CME):
   Fellows are expected to attend and present at various department CME programmes e.g. Case discussions and didactic teaching.

Training Methods

Fellows will follow the assigned supervisor, or another assigned consultant in the absence / leave of the assigned supervisor.

The trainee will be supervised at all times by an SMC-approved supervisor from Family Medicine Service and Division of O&G, KKH.

Rotations will be through Division of O&G and Family Medicine Service in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. There will be no rotation outside of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Team of Experts

Specialists from Division of O&G and Family Medicine Service in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

II Assessment and Evaluation

Aims of Assessment

Fellows are required to continually demonstrate the following six competencies throughout the programme:

(1) Patient Care

• Demonstrate knowledge of general principles of management and ability to provide individualised primary care management and medical conditions which occur in midlife of women – particularly menopause, sexual health, weight management and chronic metabolic disease such as diabetes.
• Ability to tailor treatment specifically to the individual using protocols as guidelines and not as a rule
  

(2) Medical Knowledge

• Understand the process of menopause and its associated symptomology, as well as recommended management
• Be familiar with osteoporosis, risk factors and individualised treatment options
• Understand sexual health and assessment and management of various types of associated problems
• Be familiar with the management of common conditions encountered in primary care related to women’s health, including but not limited to gynaecological skin conditions, contraception, abnormal uterine bleeding.
  

(3) Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

• Demonstrate evidence-based decision making
• Review and discuss advancements in management of mid-life women issues, non- exhaustive
• Participate in scholarly activity and case-based discussions
  

(4) Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Communicate effectively with patients and team members
• Develop a respectful and effective therapeutic relationship with patients where relevant
•  Maintain comprehensive, legible and timely patient records
  

(5) Professionalism

• Maintain high standards of ethical behaviours
• Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for all people, regardless of age, gender, culture, beliefs, race or disability
• Demonstrate professional and responsible behaviour in professional duties and educational activities
  

(6) Systems-Based Practice

• Be aware of other community resources and other hospital programmes that are available for management of women who require more help
  

Assessment Approaches

The Fellow will be required to submit a logbook of experience at the end of the posting. Fellows are also encouraged to keep a reflective log. The following are also necessary for completion of the programme:

• 1 case-based presentation
• Review of program and feedback session with supervisor
• Submission of logbook and reflections
  

Evaluation Process

The general overall grading system evaluates the fellow’s performance upon completion of the fellowship programme. All fellows will be given a general overall grading status at the end of the fellowship programme based on the grading criteria requirements incorporating the six competencies-based knowledge, skills and performance that fellows must demonstrate throughout the programme.

Training programme will be terminated if:
Consideration of early termination from the programme. Otherwise, nil follow up required.

III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements

Target Audience

This Clinical Fellowship program is targeted at overseas Family Physicians who have an interest in Women’s Health.

Pre-requisite/Eligibility Requirement(s)

• Foreign Family Physicians/General practitioners Medical Doctor from a recognized medical school
• Post graduate diploma or masters in Family Medicine/General Practice
  

IV Other Information

Course Fees

Course fees will be determined upon application.

Funding

Self-funded or sponsored by their parent country or institution. A written agreement must be submitted stating that prospective Fellows will return to their home country after completing the programme.

Certification

Certificate of fellowship will be awarded upon completion of the programme.