Part A Structure
Please note: a new-style Paper IIB will be introduced from January 2010. For further details see here.
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:- Research methods, including epidemiology, statistical methods, and other methods of enquiry including qualitative research methods
- Disease prevention and health promotion
- Health information
- Section B (1 ½ hours)
Candidates must answer four questions covering the following subjects:- Medical sociology, social policy and health economics
- 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 is structured as five 'sections', which cover different parts of the syllabus, each section contributing 10 marks. Answers may be numerical, graphical, short phrases, sentences or a short paragraph (where indicated in the question). Multiple choice questions may be included. The paper will assess data manipulation and interpretation skills, and candidates will be provided with a basic calculator with sufficient functions for these purposes including a square root function but no other scientific functions. Candidates are not permitted to bring a different calculator into the examination.
Paper IIB
Following the external review of the FPH Part A examination by Dame Lesley Southgate, the purpose and format of the entire examination has been reviewed by a Part A Development Group, including both Part A examiners and other participants. Discussion has favoured an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, approach to the development of the examination, with the initial focus being on modifications to paper IIB. After a pilot examination and approval by the FPH Education Committee, the following changes to the format of paper IIB was proposed to PMETB which gave its approval to the plans in February 2009. The PMETB merged with the GMC in April 2010.
A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) helps explain the changes to Paper IIB.
The overall structure of the examination
- The Part A syllabus has been reviewed in the context of the 2007 curriculum review and no changes are proposed at this time.
- Papers IA, IB and IIA will continue in their current format and timing.
- Paper IIB will remain a 90-minute paper contributing 50 marks to the overall total of 200.
- There will be no changes to the rules for assigning overall pass marks, nor to the rules permitting “banking” of papers.
Paper IIB
The following changes to Paper IIB will be introduced with effect from the January 2010 sitting of the examination:
- Paper IIB will continue to assess data interpretation skills.
- It will be structured as five “sections”, which will cover different parts of the syllabus, each section contributing 10 marks.
- No choice will be allowed: candidates will be expected to answer all sections.
- The total mark for paper IIB will be the sum of the marks obtained on each of the five sections: there will be no requirement to “pass” a specified number of sections (in contrast to the marking scheme for paper I).
- Questions in the new format paper IIB will not be published after the examination, but will be retained in a reusable question bank.
- Answers may be numerical, graphical, short phrases, sentences or a short paragraph (where indicated in the question). Multiple choice questions may be included.
- Four specimen sections are below as examples of the new format.
Please note: a new-style Paper IIB will be introduced from January 2010. For further details click here.
Attachments
Documents
