UKZN Strengthens National Collaboration to Advance Family Medicine Training
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has reaffirmed its leadership in postgraduate medical education following the successful EPA4FM-SA Annual Collaborative Planning and Evaluation Meeting in Johannesburg.
The meeting brought together academic leaders, clinical trainers and programme representatives from all nine Family Medicine training platforms in South Africa as part of the EPA4FM-SA national initiative. The project focuses on strengthening competency-based training through the implementation of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and enhancing Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) as key pillars of specialist Family Medicine education.
The annual gathering provided a structured forum for reflection, shared learning and strategic planning. Delegates reviewed findings from the 2025 self-evaluation questionnaires and formative assessment visits, which highlighted programme strengths, areas for improvement and system-level risks affecting the quality and equity of training. Through focused working-group discussions, participants identified high-impact educational practices that could be scaled nationally and developed practical strategies to address ongoing challenges.
Discussions emphasised the need to improve the consistency and credibility of WBA processes, strengthen feedback and supervision, and ensure that EPAs are embedded in everyday clinical practice rather than functioning as administrative requirements. The importance of national collaboration was underscored, particularly in addressing variability across training sites and supporting programmes operating in resource-limited settings.
By sharing innovations and learning from diverse urban, peri-urban and rural contexts, the group reaffirmed its collective commitment to improving the quality and fairness of specialist training for Family Medicine registrars across the country.
The meeting concluded with agreement on shared priorities for the 2026 formative assessment cycle. These include developing clearer national standards for EPA implementation, strengthening peer-review and moderation processes, expanding faculty development initiatives and deepening collaboration between universities and clinical training platforms. Participants also highlighted the potential of digital platforms to enhance learning, assessment and supervision, contributing to improved access and educational equity.
Speaking on behalf of UKZN, Professor Mergan Naidoo said the collaboration reflected a shared national commitment to excellence in training.
“This partnership demonstrates our collective responsibility to prepare competent, accountable family physicians who can respond effectively to South Africa’s complex health needs. Working together strengthens educational quality, clinical governance and equity across training programmes,” he said.
Family Medicine plays a central role in South Africa’s primary healthcare and district health systems, providing comprehensive, person-centred care across the lifespan. Strengthening postgraduate training in this discipline is therefore critical to health-system resilience, universal health coverage and improved patient outcomes. The outcomes of the Johannesburg meeting will guide the next phase of national implementation, with participating institutions working collaboratively over the coming year to translate agreed priorities into practice. This co-ordinated effort positions EPAs and WBA as important tools for educational transformation and reinforces Family Medicine as a cornerstone of high-quality, community-oriented healthcare in South Africa.
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photograph: Supplied
