Part A - Exam structure

The examination consists of two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Candidates should note that there may be duplication of subject material in Paper I and Paper II.

The examination is designed to accommodate candidates from disciplines in the wider field of public health as well as candidates with experience outside the UK health service system. In setting questions, the aim is for generic questions, which, where appropriate, allow candidates to relate answers to their particular settings.

 

Paper I - ‘Knowledge Paper'

Paper I is designed primarily to test knowledge. The knowledge part of the syllabus is broken down into five sections further details of which are available in the syllabus.
The skills tested at Part A are not the same as those tested at the OSPHE , or through the RITA / portfolio process.

An ability to extract, process and present data, to criticise research evidence and to communicate in writing to a non-specialist audience, are required for Part A, rather than the more complex skills tested later.

Structure

Candidates must answer 10 compulsory short-answer questions across the range of the syllabus to demonstrate their knowledge of the core sciences of public health. Most questions will be of a standard format, 'write short notes on', and sub-sections within questions may incorporate additional options where appropriate. Candidates must answer a specified number of options for each question.

  • Section A (2 ½ hours)
    Candidates must answer six questions covering the following subjects:
    1. Research methods, including epidemiology, statistical methods, and other methods of enquiry including qualitative research methods
    2. Disease prevention and health promotion
    3. Health information
  • Section B (1 ½ hours)
    Candidates must answer four questions covering the following subjects:
    1. Medical sociology, social policy and health economics
    2. Organisation and management of health care

 

Paper II - ‘Skills Paper'

Paper II is designed primarily to test skills - The skills part of the syllabus is broken into three sections , material from any of which may be tested at any point in the skills part of the examination.

Some core data handling skills and the ability to perform core statistical techniques will be required in the examination - sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive power, numbers needed to treat, relative risk, odds ratio, attributable fraction, Standard Error and Confidence Interval (CI) of a proportion and of a difference in proportions, Chi Square for a 2 X 2 table, McNemar's test, standardisation - direct and indirect, weighted averages, CI and standard errors for means.

Structure

This paper is designed to test candidates' public health skills. Candidates must answer the question posed in both sections. There is no choice of questions on either section.

  • Section A (2 ½ hours)
    Critical appraisal and commentary on material in a journal article and its application to a specific public health problem. The second half of the question may be phrased in general terms and allow candidates to give examples from different contexts.
  • Section B (1 ½ hours)
    This will involve the distillation of a variety of material in order to produce a summary, policy or other document aimed at a particular target individual or group. Data manipulation and interpretation may form part of this process, and candidates will be provided with a basic calculator with sufficient functions for these purposes. Candidates are not permitted to bring a different calculator into the examination.

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