Specialists in Public Health. Proceeding to PartII FPHM Membership

Background This study was jointly commissioned by the Multidisciplinary Public Health Forum and the Honorary Members Committee of the Faculty ofPublic Health (FPHM) Medicine~ to examine how existing Specialist Public Health Training Schemes are responding to changes within and beyond the FPHM, including the opening up of Part II of the Faculty's membership by examination to all those who have successfully completed the Part I examination, or are otherwise deemed to be exempt. Scope The project covered the former English regions of the NHSExecutive. Interviews with Public Health Specialist Trainees included those who had passed the FPHM's Part I examination (therefore able to proceed to Part II) independently of any of the existing training schemes. Aims The study set out to address two main questions: I." What plans are being made for those public health specialist trainees who are either about to take~ or have taken~ FPHM Part I examinations and who wish to progress to take the Part II examinations? 2. What might be the implications of their taking the Part II examination~ for the breadth of competencies which might be assessed through this examination? Method The main method of data collection was through telephone interviews with .Public Health Specialist Trainees .Other public health specialists drawn from the 'Independent Part I' group (see above) .Programme Directors (of the FPHM Regional Training Programmes) .Regional Office Public Health leads .FPHM Part II Examiners Further information was gained from a review of documentary evidence. Summary of Main Findings .Specialist Training Schemes had been established in six regions at the time of our study: Eastern; London; North West; South West; Trent and the West Midlands. Schemes were being actively planned in the South East and the North East. .There were 42 Specialist Trainees in total on existing programmes