Abstract:
In a changing society, and with many medical specialities, the family doctor
has a new and challenging role to fulfil. To provide for this, departments of
Family Medicine came into being on a large scale at overseas universities.
This phenomenon first presented itself in South Africa in the form of the
Faculty of General Practice of the College of Medicine. Since 1967, the
University of Pretoria has been offering a master's degree in Family Medicine
(Domiciliary Medicine). To date, 125 doctors have obtained the degree M
Prax Med, after following the three-year course on a part-time basis.
From 1977 three fulltime professors will be responsible for an extensive
undergraduate curriculum, as well as the postgraduate course as before.
In addition, the Casualty and Outpatient Sections of both the HF Verwoerd
Hospital and Kalafong Hospital, together with their medical staff, will now fall
under this Department.
Future tasks and related policy will be determined by the goals set for
attaining the various ideals.
These are embodied in:
1. Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as continued
education and vocational training within the Department.
2. Service, with optimum patient care as the goal.
3. Liaison with other disciplines, hospital authorities and other universities.
4. Research aimed at educational needs as well as the science attached to
family practice.
