BACKGROUND Postgraduate programmes offer an opportunity to learn family medicine for physicians in practice who were unable to obtain formal training in the immediate postgraduate phase of their career. Since 1985, the Chinese University of Hong Kong has provided a part-time 1-year diploma course at hours convenient for private practitioners. The curriculum has evolved, reducing public health components and increasing family medicine concepts. Between six and 16 students took the course each year until 1999, when formal recognition led to increased popularity. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the components and outcomes of the course as a prelude to further development. METHODS Evaluation comprised a structured telephone interview conducted with two enrollees from each year of the course (total 28), selected randomly from class lists. RESULTS Participants were mostly young doctors, with an average of 5 years in general practice. Many graduates are now prominent in training and development of family medicine in Hong Kong. Graduates rated most components favourably, but found the original research components too demanding, and not useful subsequently for most. Counselling, family dynamics, consultation and practice organization skills were valued. Conventional continuing education components, such as lectures by specialists, were evaluated poorly. CONCLUSIONS This course has proved useful in the Hong Kong context, being practical for physicians, and allowing them to study ideas they would not otherwise encounter. Critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine exercises now replace the former research components.