Dr Robert Wilson Consultant in Public Health Medicine 1

Learning objectives for the session 1Structure of Part A MFPH 2How is Part A MFPH written and marked? 3An examiner’s perspective 4What does it take to be an examiner? 1Structure of Part A MFPH 2How is Part A MFPH written and marked? 3An examiner’s perspective 4What does it take to be an examiner? 2

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 3 “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.”

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 4 ”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.”

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 5

6 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.)

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. 7

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 8

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 9

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? 10

11 How are questions marked? (or not!)

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Paper IB June 2013 Question 7 13 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.

Paper IB January 2013 Question 7 14 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.

Paper IB January 2013 Question 8 15 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)

16 So you want to be an examiner?

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? 17

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