Specialist training phase 2
Phase 2 (typically 6-9 months) sees trainees begin to further develop their core public health skills (examined via the MFPH Part B) and basic practical competence, typically through clearly defined service work. This uses their knowledge base acquired in phase 1 and applies this in increasingly complex practical settings.
By the end of phase 2 trainees will achieve learning outcomes in more complex situations for example:
- those which are complicated by two or more external factors the influence of which is not completely defined;
- involve a population that has more complex make up, eg multiple age groups, social groups or ethnic groups;
- involve intermediate issues (require a committee or subcommittee to make a decision);
- are demonstrated where the trainee is making a significant contribution to a larger project led by others or leading a smaller project.
In this phase trainees will be expected to take the lead for simple areas of work and develop their skills of presentation and debate.
During phases 1 or 2 trainees will spend three months (wte) on an attachment to a health protection unit or in health protection work and, when assessed as competent, will start out of hours duties.
Out of hours experience does not begin until the knowledge base is secured, as evidenced through a pass at Part A MFPH and satisfactory local workplace based assessment of knowledge of on call procedures.
Assessment of phase 2
This phase of the programme is mainly delivered through workplace based experiential learning assessed through:
- presentation of written work and reflective log books;
- direct observation and work based discussion with the trainer;
- direct feedback from colleagues;
- by formal assessment of competence to be on call.
The end of this phase is completed after a satisfactory performance at the Part B MFPH and satisfactory assessment of phase 2 learning outcomes in the workplace.
The very nature of public health practice may mean that trainees may be gaining some phase 2 competencies during phase 1, when they may start to put into practice their expanding knowledge base in pieces of service based work.