University of Nicosia
University of Nicosia Tuition: with tuition fees

MSc in Family Medicine (Distance Learning)

Information

Department
Medical School
Additional Information

Today’s healthcare challenges, whether strengthening health systems, improving the quality of our patient care, or enhancing access to healthcare, require strong primary care.
Strong primary care in turn requires competent family doctors who are forward-thinking and keen to develop new relationships with patients and other health professionals in primary and secondary care.

To address these global population health challenges, the University of Nicosia Medical School offers a Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Family Medicine delivered online.

It is a structured continuing professional development programme for physicians working as Family Doctors or in the community with a specialist role in internal medicine, paediatrics, or gynaecology.

The minimum full-time duration of the MSc programme in Family Medicine is 18 months (three semesters), with a flexible part-time option of up to four academic years. The first two semesters consist of eight core clinically focused modules. Semester three is primarily research-oriented, offering an opportunity for students to develop their research skills.

The programme is completed online, with each module delivered over 3 learning weeks through an electronic platform. This platform enables access to video-recorded presentations, written material and lecture notes whilst allowing for active learning through interactive seminars, case-based discussions in forums, online quizzes, and workshops.

Program's Webpage

Program

The duration of the programme is 18 months (three semesters) with a flexible part-time option of up to four academic years.

The course consists of 12 modules and its curriculum has been mapped against the core competences of a Family Medicine practitioner as defined by the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations(WONCA) of Family Medicine.

The first two semesters are clinically focused, encompassing modules on Communication and Consultation Skills in Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice in Family Medicine, Managing Adults’ Common Diseases and Multi-Morbidity in Primary Care, Mental Health in Primary Care, Acute Serious Illnesses and Traumatic Conditions in Primary Care, Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Primary Care, Paediatrics and Child Health Surveillance and Women’s Health.

The third semester is research-oriented and includes a research methodology module and a primary care research project. Moreover, during the third semester students can select two out of the following six offered electives: Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care; Implementing Change in Primary Care; Informatics for Primary and Community Health Care; Learning and Teaching in Healthcare; Medical Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare; and Prevention, Epidemiology and Health Promotion.*

Course assessment for the MSc in Family Medicine is based on four pillars: a written applied knowledge examination; a workplace-based assessment portfolio; the design, implementation, completion and write-up of a research project; and assignments for two elective modules.

Students who do not wish to continue with the third semester will receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine following the successful completion of the first two semesters.

Semester Breakdown

FIRST SEMESTER    

  • Communication and Consultation Skills in Primary Care (teaching is spread out during Semester 1&2)
  • Evidence-based Practice in Family Medicine
  • Managing Adults’ Common Diseases and Multi-Morbidity in Primary Care
  • Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Primary Care

SECOND SEMESTER    
(30 ECTS, all courses required – PG in Family Medicine for those students who do not wish to continue with the MScFM)

  • Mental Health in Primary Care
  • Acute Serious Illnesses and Traumatic Conditions in Primary Care
  • Women’s Health
  • Paediatrics and Child Health Surveillance

THIRD SEMESTER    

  • Research Methodology in Family Medicine (Required)
  • Primary Care Research Project (Required)
  • 2 elective courses are chosen from the following:
    • Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care
    • Medical Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare
    • Learning and Teaching in Healthcare
    • Epidemiology, Prevention and Health Promotion
    • Informatics for Primary and Community Health Care
    • Implementing Change in Primary Care

*The above structure is based on current delivery in 2021-2022. The programme is subject to continuous evaluation and improvement, in consultation with students and lecturers, and in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, and therefore may be subject to change for future cohorts.