Joint Statement by CFPS and CFMP on Supporting Family Medicine Training for FP and FMS

Dear Members,

As we mark an important milestone in the recognition of Family Medicine as a medical specialty in Singapore, the College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS) and the Chapter of Family Medicine Physicians (CFMP) reaffirm our shared commitment to supporting the training, professional development, and continuing education of both Family Physicians (FP) and Family Medicine Specialists (FMS).

Following consultation with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), we would like to provide the following guidance to members:

1. Recognition of Core Family Medicine CME Points
   
   All Continuing Medical Education (CME) events which are accredited as Core Family Medicine (FM) points will be recognised by SMC for purposes of both FP and FMS CME requirements. These include all Core Family Medicine CME events conducted by CFPS and CFMP which satisfy prevailing requirements. In addition, any Core Family Medicine CME events conducted by other accredited training centers will also be recognized by SMC.
   
   
2. Core Points Requirements for Dual-Accredited Doctors
   
   Based on current SMC requirements, doctors who are accredited as both FP and FMS are required to fulfil a cumulative total of 20 Core Family Medicine points per qualifying period (comprising 10 Core FM points for FP requirements and 10 Core FM points for FMS requirements).
   
   All accredited Core Family Medicine CME events organised by either professional body will be recognised towards meeting this combined requirement. Both CFPS and CFMP remain committed to providing a robust and sustainable pipeline of high-quality CME activities to support members in fulfilling these requirements. Similarly, Core Family Medicine CME events conducted by other accredited training centers will also be recognized.
   
   
3. Waiver for Short Transition Periods
   
   Based on current SMC policy, the commencement of 10 Core FM points for newly accredited FMS, will commence on the date of their registration as a FMS. Previously accumulated Core FM points cannot be backdated into FMS requirements (i.e. any Core FM points accumulated in the current qualifying CME period prior to registration as a FMS cannot be used to meet the FMS requirements). Hence, some members may encounter difficulty meeting the Core Family Medicine points requirement if the registration as an FMS is close to the end of the current CME qualifying period. Affected members should write directly to the Singapore Medical Council to seek a waiver and the correspondence may be addressed to smc_cme@spb.gov.sg. Both professional bodies are committed in supporting affected members in their written appeals to SMC.
   
   

We thank members for their continued commitment to lifelong learning and to the advancement of Family Medicine in Singapore.