Family practice as a part of undergraduate medical training in South Africa

Undergraduate tiution in family practice was fully instituted for the first time in South Africa at the University of Pretoria in 1977. Students in the 2nd-5th years of study are taught the various aspects of family medicine and practice management by means of formal lectures and practical clinical work. The treachers are all general practitioners, most of whom hold a higher degree in family practice. In addition, each student spends at least 1 week with a practitioner in general practice. In Pretoria the outpatient and casualty departments of the two teaching hospitals are run by the Department of Family Practice. Large numbers of patients who would not be seen in the wards are thus made available for teaching purposes, and the standard of service to patients is improved. Until recently, medical teaching was confined to the various specialities and only patients admitted to teaching hospitals were available for teaching purposes. As less than 1% of persons reporting sick are admitted to hospital inpatients are not representative of the disease profile seen in general practice. Undergraduate medical training in family practice could be further improved by more participation in the teaching programme by experienced general practitioners in active practice.