The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine (Dip FM) is a professionally designed qualification tailored for healthcare practitioners who aim to advance their expertise in providing comprehensive, patient-centered primary care. Family medicine plays a crucial role in community health, integrating preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services for individuals and families across all age groups.
This diploma is aligned with international healthcare education standards and emphasizes evidence-based practice, holistic patient management, and the development of critical decision-making skills. Learners will explore essential areas such as clinical assessment, chronic disease management, preventive medicine, patient safety, and communication within healthcare teams.
The course is structured into six study units, each contributing to a strong foundation in family medicine and ensuring learners acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies. Upon successful completion, learners will be equipped to provide quality primary healthcare services, contribute to community well-being, and pursue higher-level professional qualifications in medical sciences.
This diploma is highly recommended for medical professionals, healthcare workers, and practitioners who wish to strengthen their clinical expertise and make a lasting impact in community and family healthcare.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine (Dip FM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2200878
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine (Dip FM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200878-1 |
Principles of Family Medicine and Primary Care |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200878-2 |
Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Skills |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200878-3 |
Management of Common Acute and Chronic Conditions |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200878-4 |
Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200878-5 |
Patient-Centred Care and Communication Skills |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200878-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Family Medicine |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Family Medicine and Primary Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the core principles and scope of family medicine.
- Analyse the role of primary care in improving population health outcomes.
- Evaluate holistic approaches in patient-centred healthcare.
- Apply family medicine models within different healthcare systems.
Unit 2: Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Skills
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct effective patient history-taking and clinical interviews.
- Perform structured physical examinations across all age groups.
- Interpret clinical findings to support diagnostic decisions.
- Apply diagnostic reasoning to develop appropriate care plans.
Unit 3: Management of Common Acute and Chronic Conditions
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify and manage common acute illnesses in family medicine practice.
- Apply evidence-based treatment protocols for chronic conditions.
- Develop integrated care strategies for long-term disease management.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plans through patient outcomes.
Unit 4: Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the role of preventive medicine in reducing disease burden.
- Design and promote lifestyle interventions for better health outcomes.
- Assess the importance of vaccination and screening programmes.
- Implement health promotion strategies tailored to diverse communities.
Unit 5: Patient-Centred Care and Communication Skills
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication with patients and families.
- Apply culturally sensitive and ethical approaches in patient care.
- Build trust and therapeutic relationships with patients.
- Evaluate the impact of patient-centred care on treatment outcomes.
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Family Medicine
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the ethical and legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals.
- Apply principles of professional practice in clinical decision-making.
- Reflect on personal practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Develop a plan for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enhance career growth.
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine (Dip FM) is designed for healthcare professionals who wish to strengthen their expertise, expand their clinical skills, and advance their careers in family and primary care. This qualification is ideal for:
- Medical practitioners who want to broaden their knowledge and enhance their role in family medicine and community health.
- General practitioners (GPs) seeking structured training to improve patient-centred care and long-term disease management.
- Nurses and allied healthcare professionals who support family medicine practices and wish to expand their clinical competence.
- Healthcare managers and coordinators looking to improve understanding of family medicine within multidisciplinary teams.
- Public health professionals interested in preventive care, health promotion, and holistic approaches to community health.
- Experienced healthcare workers committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and aiming to progress into advanced roles in family and primary care.
This course is not designed for fresh candidates, but for those already working in healthcare who want to enhance their career prospects, improve patient outcomes, and contribute effectively to modern healthcare systems.
Centres offering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine (Dip FM) must meet specific requirements to ensure that learners receive high-quality training, assessment, and support. The following standards are essential:
- Qualified and Competent Staff:
Training must be delivered by professionally qualified and experienced healthcare educators with expertise in family medicine, clinical practice, and medical education. - Access to Resources and Learning Materials:
Centres must provide learners with up-to-date medical resources, textbooks, journals, case studies, and digital learning tools to support effective study and professional development. - Appropriate Learning Environment:
Centres should ensure access to well-equipped classrooms, online learning platforms, and practical training facilities that support interactive and applied learning. - Assessment and Quality Assurance:
Robust assessment procedures, internal verification, and quality assurance systems must be in place to maintain the integrity and credibility of the qualification. - Support for Learners:
Centres must offer academic guidance, pastoral support, and career advice to help learners achieve success and progression opportunities. - Commitment to CPD for Trainers:
Teaching and assessment staff must demonstrate a commitment to their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure they deliver the most current and relevant healthcare practices.
By meeting these requirements, centres will ensure that learners undertaking the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Family Medicine gain a professional, supportive, and resource-rich learning experience, enabling them to excel in their careers.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
