Dr Robert Wilson Consultant in Public Health Medicine 1.

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Dr Robert Wilson Consultant in Public Health Medicine 1

Transcript of Dr Robert Wilson Consultant in Public Health Medicine 1.

Page 2: Dr Robert Wilson Consultant in Public Health Medicine 1.

Learning objectives for the session

1 Structure of Part A MFPH

2 How is Part A MFPH written and marked?

3 An examiner’s perspective

4 What does it take to be an examiner?

1 Structure of Part A MFPH

2 How is Part A MFPH written and marked?

3 An examiner’s perspective

4 What does it take to be an examiner?

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Part A exam content

The Part A exam tests the following skills:

• design and interpretation of studies

• data processing, presentation and interpretation

• communication

The Part A exam tests the following skills:

• design and interpretation of studies

• data processing, presentation and interpretation

• communication

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“The level of knowledge, skill and understanding required within all sections of the syllabus is that which could reasonably be expected of a competent practitioner in public health who may aspire to attain specialist status.”

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Part A syllabus

The Part A exam syllabus is divided into five sections:•Research methods•Disease causation and the diagnostic process in relation to public health, prevention and health promotion•Health information•Medical sociology, social policy and health economics•Organisation and management of healthcare and healthcare programmes

The Part A exam syllabus is divided into five sections:•Research methods•Disease causation and the diagnostic process in relation to public health, prevention and health promotion•Health information•Medical sociology, social policy and health economics•Organisation and management of healthcare and healthcare programmes

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”Division of material into sections is only a guide; candidates should expect questions that draw together knowledge from different sections, and should note particularly that inclusion of a subject area within one section of the syllabus does not preclude its use in a different section of the examination.”

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Structure of the Part A exam: Paper I

Paper I (4 hours) (“Knowledge paper”)

•Ten compulsory short-answer questions across the range of the syllabus

Paper I (4 hours) (“Knowledge paper”)

•Ten compulsory short-answer questions across the range of the syllabus

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Section A (two and a half hours) Candidates are required to answer six questions covering the following subjects:• Research methods, including epidemiology, statistical methods, and other methods of enquiry (including qualitative research methods)• Disease prevention, health protection, and health promotion• Health information

Section B (one and a half hours) Candidates are required to answer four questions covering the following subjects: • Medical sociology, social policy and health economics• Organisation and management of health care

Section A (two and a half hours) Candidates are required to answer six questions covering the following subjects:• Research methods, including epidemiology, statistical methods, and other methods of enquiry (including qualitative research methods)• Disease prevention, health protection, and health promotion• Health information

Section B (one and a half hours) Candidates are required to answer four questions covering the following subjects: • Medical sociology, social policy and health economics• Organisation and management of health care

Structure of the Part A exam: Paper I (cont.)

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Structure of the Part A exam: Paper II

Paper II (4 hours) (“Skills Paper”)•Designed to test candidates’ public health “knows how” and “shows how” skills. Candidates are required to answer the question posed in each of two sections. There is no choice of question.

Paper II (4 hours) (“Skills Paper”)•Designed to test candidates’ public health “knows how” and “shows how” skills. Candidates are required to answer the question posed in each of two sections. There is no choice of question.

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Structure of the Part A exam: Paper II (cont.)

Section A (Two and a half hours)

•Critical appraisal and commentary on material in an article from a journal and its application to a specific public health problem.

Section B (One and a half hours)•Five sections. Answers may be numerical, graphical, short phrases, sentences or a short paragraph. Assesses data manipulation and interpretation skills

Section A (Two and a half hours)

•Critical appraisal and commentary on material in an article from a journal and its application to a specific public health problem.

Section B (One and a half hours)•Five sections. Answers may be numerical, graphical, short phrases, sentences or a short paragraph. Assesses data manipulation and interpretation skills

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• There are 30 Part A examiners: four in each of seven sections, plus chair and vice-chair.

• The four examiners in each section collectively draft the questions and answers for all the questions in their section.

• All examiners review all the questions, except Paper 2B, at their meeting in October.

• All questions are checked by examiners in Ireland and Hong Kong.

• There are 30 Part A examiners: four in each of seven sections, plus chair and vice-chair.

• The four examiners in each section collectively draft the questions and answers for all the questions in their section.

• All examiners review all the questions, except Paper 2B, at their meeting in October.

• All questions are checked by examiners in Ireland and Hong Kong.

How the questions are written

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• Four examiners for each of the seven sections of the paper.• Two examiners independently mark all scripts.• Examiners then share their marks with their “pair” and discuss

differences in marks, and overall commentary on the exam.• Examiners’ meeting attended by at least one examiner from each

section. Overall conduct of the exam is reviewed together with

detailed analysis of marks for each examiner. Borderline candidates reviewed in detail O’Brien Prize confirmed Complaints discussed

• Four examiners for each of the seven sections of the paper.• Two examiners independently mark all scripts.• Examiners then share their marks with their “pair” and discuss

differences in marks, and overall commentary on the exam.• Examiners’ meeting attended by at least one examiner from each

section. Overall conduct of the exam is reviewed together with

detailed analysis of marks for each examiner. Borderline candidates reviewed in detail O’Brien Prize confirmed Complaints discussed

How are questions marked?

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Part A MFPH executive group examiners' check list

Paper I Paper II

Has candidate scored 50/100?

Yes No

Fail Paper I

Fail Paper II

No

Yes Has candidate scored 50/100?

Passed 7 questions?

Yes

No

Yes

No

Is either section (A/B) marked 20/50 or less?

More than one question marked 0, 1 or 2?

No Yes

Across exam

Has candidate scored 100/200 or more in total?

Yes

No

No

Yes

Across exam

Has candidate scored 100/200 or more in total?

Fail

Banked Paper I

Banked Paper II

Candidates must pass Papers I & II separately in order to pass overall

PASS

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Paper IB June 2013 Question 7

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Your government is considering the introduction of a minimum price for a given unit of alcohol.  Discuss from social, political and economic perspectives, the positive and negative impact of such a policy change.

 

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Paper IB January 2013 Question 7

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Outline the steps you would take to formulate and implement a policy to address the health needs of socially excluded groups in your population, in a named location of your choice.

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Paper IB January 2013 Question 8

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Write short notes on the following terms as used in health economics in the context of evaluating a childhood vaccination programme:

  (a) Opportunity cost (50% of marks)

(b) Direct and indirect costs; average and marginal costs (50% of marks)

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• 30 examiners required. Currently several vacancies.

• Big time commitment• Annual training day (May)• Annual examiners’ meeting (October)• Four days to mark around 100 scripts• Post-exam examiners’ meeting

• Unpaid. Expenses reimbursed• Work for the general benefit of the NHS• Highly beneficial for each region to have a

sprinkling of part A and Part B examiners.

• 30 examiners required. Currently several vacancies.

• Big time commitment• Annual training day (May)• Annual examiners’ meeting (October)• Four days to mark around 100 scripts• Post-exam examiners’ meeting

• Unpaid. Expenses reimbursed• Work for the general benefit of the NHS• Highly beneficial for each region to have a

sprinkling of part A and Part B examiners.

So you want to be an examiner?

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