Membership Exams (MFSRH) - Applications for Part I close 30 July

Upcoming Examination: The Part I SBA will take place online on Friday 1 October 2021.  Applications are open and will close at 23:59 on 30 July 2021.

What is the Part I?

The MFSRH Part I is a written paper conducted twice a year, in April and October. The Part I paper comprises 60 questions and has a 90-minute duration.

The question style is Single Best Answer (SBA), which is a type of multiple-choice question where more than one answer may be correct, but the candidate must choose the best answer.

The Part One SBA tests theory and applied knowledge of basic sciences related to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (inclusive of Obstetrics and Gynaecology). It is based on Modules 2-8 and 13 from the Community Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CSRH) Curriculum meaning there will be a selection of questions from each of these subjects.

Further information

We recommend reading the MFSRH Part I Handbook before applying to take this examination. The Handbook contains key information about the examination including the syllabus, a recommended reading list and example questions.

• MFSRH Part I Handbook 
• Paper on SBA from the Journal (2016)

Upcoming examinations

The Part I examination will be held online on the following dates.

• Friday 9 April 2021 (online)
  Deadline closed.
• Friday 1 October 2021 (online)
  Deadline to apply: 23:59 on 30 July 2021

Applying to take the Part I SBA

When applying for your examination please have ready the following documents for upload either as jpg or pdfs.

• a clear copy of your medical degree
• a passport-sized photographs clearly showing your facial features
• a clear copy of the passport page that shows your name and photograph

The examination fee of £300 is payable online at this time also.

Download and read the “Guidance for those undertaking or recertifying FSRH qualifications whose personal beliefs conflict with the provision of abortion or any method of contraception”. You will be asked to confirm at the point of submitting your online application that you have read these guidelines.

After you have submitted your payment and supporting documents for the Part I SBA you will be contacted after the closing date to confirm your place and given further information.

 

What is the Evidenced-Based Commentary?

The Evidence Based Commentary examines your ability to assess a clinical topic and summarise and critically evaluate the key issues. You will be expected to use relevant literature and evidence-based guidelines to present management strategies. In addition to testing your ability to meet these requirements, this part of the MFSRH examination assesses skills in written English.

Further information

• Guidance notes for candidates on the EBC

Below are two examples of an answer to EBC Topic 2, 2009-10, which were marked as ‘excellent’. Please note that the commentaries do not constitute clinical guidance in any way.

• Example 1
• Example 2

 Submitting your EBC

A new topic is set for the EBC each year and is published on 1 September. You must submit your EBC by the deadline of 31 August 2021.

Your EBC must be between 1,000 words and 2,000 words long and its format must comply with the guidance notes. We recommend that you upload your document as either a Word or PDF document. You will be required to pay an online EBC submission fee of £150.

You may submit your commentary before applying for, or after passing, the Part One SBA examination.

EBC Topic: 1 September 2020 – 31 August 2021

A 28 year old trans man, who is receiving treatment under the supervision of an NHS Gender Identity Clinic, attends the sexual health service and explains he has had vaginal spotting in the last month.

He has recently commenced Testosterone Undecanoate injections and has been taking the combined oral contraceptive pill (30 microgram ethinyl estradiol and 150 microgram levonorgestrel) for the last 3 months.

He has been in a relationship for 6 weeks with a male partner. On further questioning, he has had 2 sexual partners in the last 3 months. He has a blood pressure of 125/75, and body mass index 24, with no health conditions in his medical or family history.

Describe your management.

The next Part II examination will be held in 2022. This will be the new MFSRH Part II examination, more information can be found on the tabs at the bottom of this page and in our frequently asked questions. Applications will open in November 2021.

What is the MFSRH Part II?

The MFSRH Part II is a three-part examination held once a year, usually in June. The exam is usually held in London, but on occasions may be held in other UK centres. For 2021 the CRQ and EMQ papers were held online in May and the OSCE online in June.

The three components of the Part II examination are:

• Critical Reading Question paper (CRQ)
• Extended Matching Question paper (EMQ); and
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
  

Critical Reading Questions (CRQ)

The CRQ is a 90-minute written paper. You are required to read three papers (usually a recent significant clinical research paper or the evidence base of a clinical guideline) and answer questions about the methods used, the interpretation of results and the application of the findings to informing decisions about patient care.

 Any modules in the CSRH Curriculum may be examined by the CRQ.

Extended Matching Questions (EMQ)
The EMQ is a 2-hour written paper. The paper consists of 80 questions. Candidates must select the right answer from an alphabetised list of options that can vary from 7-15 different possible answers.
The EMQ is designed to assess your ability to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge, both basic and clinical, and apply knowledge of ethical and legal issues in the clinical situation.

The EMQ is based on Modules 2-15 in the CSRH Curriculum.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
The OSCE is a roleplay based clinical examination, where candidates interact with a professional actor or an examiner most often to simulate a clinical scenario. It comprises of 10 active question stations in a circuit and lasts 2-3 hours, depending on how many candidates are sitting the examination.

The OSCE assesses your ability to gather information, apply their clinical skills, demonstrate appropriate patient centred care and make evidence-based decisions. It is a realistic simulation of real-life consultations, during which you will interact with a professional actor while being observed and assessed by an examiner. Occasionally scenarios may simulate interactions with colleagues, trainees, non-clinical support staff, managers or other professionals including those working within the healthcare arena.

Any modules in the CSRH Curriculum may be examined by the OSCE.

Further information

We recommend reading the MFSRH Part Two Handbook before applying to take this examination. The Handbook contains key information about the examination including the syllabus, a recommended reading list and example questions.

• MFSRH Exam Part II Handbook
• Paper on CRQ from the Journal (2016)
• Paper on EMQ from the Journal (2016)
  

Upcoming examinations

• Part II – Summer 2022 (date to be confirmed)
  The Part II examination in 2022 will be the new MFSRH.

IMPORTANT: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the MFSRH Part II examinations will take place over two days in 2021. The written components of the Part II examination (CRQ & EMQ) will be held online and will take place on 24 May 2021. The OSCE examination will take place online on Thursday 3 June 2021.

Applying for the MFSRH Part II

To be eligible to apply for the MFSRH Part II examination, you must:

• have passed the Part I SBA examination before the closing date for the Part II examination:
  AND
• have passed your Evidence-Based Commentary before the closing date for the Part II examination