1. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine Preparation for Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine Dr Cathy Baxter

2. Where does DPM fit into HMT/PMST? Expectation to ”complete DPM by Year 3” - driver What does it consist of? 4 Components MCQ/SAQ/Essay/Viva Is there a curriculum and/or syllabus? Most people unaware of the recent update What information is available from the Faculty? Top level – no practical tips Not enough past questions / no MCQs Reading list – can Faculty provide one More feedback from exam – individual and cohort Background and General Info

3. What preparation and commitment is required? Do not under-estimate the importance of planning and preparation, study leave, networking No one else around to ask within work Is 2 years experience enough What role should the ES play in preparing for DPM? Focus on evidence and competencies not the exam No ES or limited number / time Why would they bother Mine is not a medic (!) I don’t have one Exam Preparation

4. What are the top revision tips? Answer the question that is asked Planning vs cramming Networking / past papers / courses Why is exam technique important? Haven’t written an essay since school days Where English not 1 st language – MCQs and essays a problem Good candidates being unsuccessful in the exam

5. Success rates How is the DPM graded and what is required to pass? How have people done in previous years? Decline in the pass rate in recent year Lower pass rate if not trained (medical school) in UK Extra time for candidates for whom English is not 1 st language YearPass RateCandidates 200570%43 200633%48 200739%49 200840%55

6. When to enter If I fail when can I re-sit and is there a limit on the number of times? No limit and once per year Is HMT/PMST driving trainees to enter DPM too soon? Helps to learn and do your job... OR you need to have a certain amount of experience in order to tackle the exam

7. BACK UP SLIDES

8. Grading All components are graded as follows: Excellent, Good, Pass, Bare Pass, Bare Fail & Fail At least a “ bare pass” in each component A “bare fail” in one component can be offset by “pass” or higher in the other three An outright “fail” in any one part of the examination will lead to an overall fail of the examination Distinction awarded for consistent high grades across all 4 components, i.e. “good” and/or “excellent”