We're now inviting members with MRCPCH to help us write questions remotely, using your own device at home or work. It's a great opportunity to develop skills and support the next generation of paediatricians.
Opportunity to work with peers from different hospitals and backgrounds... [we were] able to learn from one another. Very interactive session - leads were highly approachable.
How to write questions remotely
- First, go through our short eLearning on how to write questions for the theory exams.
- Then, log in with your RCPCH number to Compass, our learning platform, for a second, short but comprehensive tutorial on the principle of theory question writing.
- Look through the list of recommended topics below. We suggest you write a question from the list below. However, these are only recommendations and we accept any questions that map to the theory syllabus.
- Download the question template below to write each of your question(s), and email your final version(s) to us at pre@rcpch.ac.uk.
- We'll aim to email you back with feedback within four weeks.
Recommended topics: Foundation of Practice exam
| FPSCG2 | Be able to describe the impact of human factors on delivering safe clinical care |
|---|---|
| FPSCG5 | Understand the factors that drive pandemic/epidemic infections and appreciate how this is used in clinical practice to prevent them |
| FSop1 | Demonstrate appropriate use of clinical guidelines in practice |
| FEndG5 | Know the causes of abnormal growth including short stature and slow of accelerated growth. Know about appropriate assessment, investigation and treatment |
| FHae08 | Understand the role of different health care professionals in shared care for oncological conditions |
| FIia2 | Know the UK national guidelines on notification of communicable diseases |
| FIia9 | Understand the normal patterns and frequency of infections in childhood |
Recommended topics: Theory and Science exam
">| TPalC2 | Understand the principles of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in symptom control for children |
|---|---|
| TPSCG3 | Know how effective communication has been shown to reduce clinical risk |
| TPSCG4 | Know what to do to minimise risk of transmission of infection |
| TCard3 | Know the genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of heart disease |
| TCard12 | Understand the scientific basis of infective endocarditis |
| TMetM2 | Know the genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of metabolic disorders |
| Tiia1 | Know the epidemiology, pathology and natural history of common infections of childhood including normal patterns of frequency |
| TIia3 | Understand the pathophysiology of fever and sepsis and the scientific rational for treatment |
| TIia7 | Know the epidemiology, genetic and environmental triggers and natural history of atopic, allergic and autoimmune diseases |
| TResE8 | Understand the physiology of mechanical ventilation |
About the questions
You can read more about the theory exam syllabus, but here are some brief points:
- FOP - The questions comprise primarily conditions that are likely to be seen in the first six to 12 months of hospital, community or primary care practice. This exam focuses on the areas of child health that are relevant to all those who will be working with children in their medical careers, not just those entering mainstream hospital-based paediatrics. FOP also forms the theory component of the Diploma in Child Health (DCH) examination.
- TAS - The emphasis is to test the basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles upon which clinical practice is based.
- AKP (parts 1 and 2) - This tests judgment and experience. Each paper contains case history, data interpretation and photographic questions.
About the question setting group (QSG)
Local QSGs take place at least once a year in each College region in the UK, and bring together clinicians to write new questions for the theory exams (Foundation of Practice, Theory & Science and Applied Knowledge.
A Senior Theory Examiner or Principal Area Theory (PAT) Lead facilitates the meeting and guides question writers as they work in small groups to produce new questions for our 'banks'. The PAT Lead reviews all questions before submitting them to the College for review.
We reimburse all reasonable travel expenses, but cannot cover accommodation costs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all QSGs are suspended. See above for information on how to get involved remotely.
PAT Leads and QSG dates by College region
| Region | QSG date | Lead | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern England | 15 January | Dr Shalabh Garg | |
| London |
27 March - Cancelled 23 October- TBC |
Dr Richard Nicholl | rnicholl@nhs.net |
| North West England | Suspended | Dr Rabin Mohanty | rabinmohanty@aol.com |
| West Midland | 30 September-TBC | Dr Chizomam Agwu |
contact: eva.nordstrom-amy@rcpch.ac.uk |
| South England | 20 October-TBC | Dr Antoinette McAulay | antoinette.mcaulay@poole.nhs.uk |
| Scotland (Aberdeen) | TBC | Dr Medhat Ezzat | m.ezzat@nhs.net |
| Scotland (Glasgow) | TBC | Dr Brian Kelly | contact: eva.nordstrom-amy@rcpch.ac.uk |
| Scotland (Edinburgh) | TBC | Dr Paul Eunson | contact: eva.nordstrom-amy@rcpch.ac.uk |
| North East England | Vacant | ||
| Wales | TBC | Dr Gillian Body | gillian.body@wales.nhs.uk |
| East Midlands | TBC | Dr Pradip Thakker | pradip.thakker@nuh.nhs.uk |
Contact
For more information, contact Eva Nordstom-Amy at eva.nordstrom-amy@rcpch.ac.uk.