Part B/OSPHE - Content
The standard required in the OSPHE will be that which could be reasonably expected of a public health trainee with at least two years' (whole time equivilent) of service-based training left, and is normally achievable by someone in training about six months after passing Part A MFPH.
The examiners will assess candidates' ability to use knowledge and skills appropriately in public health settings.
The OSPHE is a test of skills and attitudes relating to every day public health issues in commonly experienced settings. You will not be required to be familiar with NHS procedures or practices. The OSPHE is a 'show how' assessment rather than a 'knowledge' or 'know how'assessment, which will already have been completed in Part A.
The following skills will be tested:
- The ability to demonstrate presenting communication skills (verbal and non verbal) appropriately in typical public health settings: presenting to a person or audience.
- The ability to demonstrate listening and comprehending communication skills (verbal and non verbal) appropriately in typical public health settings: listening and responding appropriately.
- The ability to assimilate relevant information from a variety of sources and settings and using it appropriately from a public health perspective.
- The ability to demonstrate appropriate reasoning, analytical and judgement skills, giving a balanced view within public health settings.
- The ability to handle uncertainty, the unexpected, challenge and conflict appropriately.
The subject matter used in the OSPHE examinations themselves will draw on material from a wide range of topics encountered in everyday public health practice, including health protection and partnership topic areas. The scenarios themselves will also be varied across the six stations of the examination.