Many general practitioners (GPs) face mounting stress, overwhelming patient loads, and an ever-growing list of administrative responsibilities. Burnout, outdated workflows, and the pressure to adapt to a rapidly evolving medical ecosystem are no longer uncommon. But, what if there were a way to gain the tools, strategies, and support needed not just to cope, but to excel?
Lead with Confidence: A Practice Management Programme Designed for GPs
Stay Financially Sound: Mastering Medical Billing Systems
Deliver Ethically Excellent Care: Strengthening Healthcare Ethics
Why Study Online with FPD?
Real Solutions for Real Pain Points
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FAQs
The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice, offered through FPD Online, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals seeking to take control of their professional journey. This comprehensive practice management programme empowers GPs to lead their practices efficiently while maintaining high standards of patient care.
From staff supervision to optimising clinical operations, the programme equips students with practical leadership skills that are immediately applicable in everyday scenarios. With strict deadlines and structured learning paths, this programme ensures academic rigour while accommodating the realities of a working GP’s schedule.
Running a successful medical practice isn’t just about delivering quality care; it’s also about ensuring financial stability. The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice includes a focused component on medical billing systems, helping GPs streamline their financial operations and reduce costly errors.
Consider this: a GP practice in Johannesburg was routinely underbilling due to the use of incorrect ICD-10 codes. After implementing the tools covered in this programme, the practice saw a 25% increase in recoverable claims within three months, simply by understanding how to align clinical coding with medical aid requirements.
Another common scenario involves missed claims due to poor follow-up on rejections. A Cape Town-based clinic experienced chronic revenue delays because staff were not trained in reconciliation protocols. By applying structured billing workflows and audit strategies from the programme, the practice managed to cut down its claim rejection rate by nearly 40%.
Students will engage with real-world case studies like these, learning how to:
Select the right billing software based on practice size and patient load
Ensure accurate coding to avoid claim rejections
Develop standard operating procedures for the billing staff
Integrate billing with scheduling and patient records for seamless operations
By mastering medical billing systems, GPs can enhance their cash flow, alleviate administrative frustration, and ultimately reinvest in improved patient care. This module isn’t just about financial literacy, it’s about building a sustainable practice in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Explore how evidence-based learning can reduce clinical and legal risks in your practice by reading this insightful article on general practice risk reduction.
As patients become more informed and healthcare regulations grow stricter, ethical dilemmas are increasingly part of everyday practice. This programme incorporates an in-depth focus on healthcare ethics, enabling GPs to navigate complex clinical decisions with confidence and integrity.
From consent to confidentiality, and equity of care to ethical practice marketing, GPs will gain a renewed sense of professionalism and patient trust.
Uncover the vital role educators play in transforming healthcare by guiding future medical professionals in this feature on leadership in healthcare education.
Studying online with FPD means flexibility without compromise. You’ll benefit from:
Six start dates a year
A pay-per-module structure
Full support from experienced academic staff
Access to an intuitive Learning Management System
Best of all, FPD's online learning model is asynchronous, meaning no real-time lecture attendance is required. You study when it suits your schedule, perfect for busy professionals.
Discover why thousands of healthcare professionals choose FPD’s trusted online learning model by exploring the benefits of studying with FPD online.
Being a GP today involves more than diagnosing and treating patients, it’s about leading a practice, managing finances, upholding ethics, and keeping clinical knowledge current. The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice tackles each of these challenges by offering a robust structure of modules over 18 months, with each eight‑week block (seven weeks of study plus one week break) tailored to address specific pain points.
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Module Name |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Medical Ethics |
Learn to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas in practice, aligned with professional and legal frameworks. |
|
Practice Management |
Develop business planning and innovation skills to run a compliant and competitive practice. |
|
Mental Health |
Gain foundations in screening, diagnosis and patient-centred management of mental health conditions. |
|
Immunodeficiency Infections |
Master evidence-based management of HIV, TB and related infectious diseases prevalent in SA. |
|
Metabolic Health & Diabetes |
Deepen understanding of Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and complication prevention in patients. |
|
Cardiovascular & Respiratory |
Enhance skills in diagnosing and managing chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions. |
|
Rheumatology & Dermatology |
Build competence in diagnosing and managing common rheumatological and dermatological conditions. |
This isn’t just another qualification; it’s a solution to the challenges modern GPs face daily. Whether you're looking to future-proof your practice, enhance your leadership, or streamline operations, this diploma offers the knowledge and skills to make it happen.
Ready to take charge of your professional future? Enquire now to see if you’re eligible for this career-defining programme.
The programme introduces efficient workflow models and evidence-based decision-making tools to streamline clinical operations, helping you balance patient care with practice demands.
Yes, the Practice Management module covers essential business skills, including strategic planning, compliance, operational oversight, and billing systems to ensure your practice is both profitable and sustainable.
The course is designed for working professionals, with full online support and a structured, module-based format. You'll be guided through each stage with academic and technical support to help you succeed.
Through the Medical Ethics module, you'll explore case-based ethical dilemmas, legal standards, and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring you stay compliant and protected in practice.
Absolutely. Modules such as Mental Health and Practice Management offer insights into managing personal well-being, patient stress, and systemic pressures that contribute to burnout.
Yes, modules on Metabolic Health, Cardiovascular & Respiratory care, and Rheumatology equip you with up-to-date protocols for diagnosing and managing multi-morbidity in primary care.
The programme includes discussions on health system integration and policy frameworks, giving you the strategic knowledge to navigate healthcare reform confidently.
Definitely. The content is designed to address challenges common across varied settings, from resource allocation and ethical triage to technology utilisation in low-resource environments.
You’ll have access to expert faculty, academic advisers, and peer support forums within the Learning Management System to guide you throughout your studies.
Yes, each module incorporates case studies and practical assignments that translate directly into clinical and managerial improvements in your daily workflow.