Joint Molecular & Cytogenetic FRCPath

Written Option Workshop

Guy's Hospital

11-06-09

Gemma Monaghan

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First

• Welcome• Housekeeping – toilets, fire exits• Programme change• Mentor list – thanks to Sally Cottrell• Feedback questionnaire• Thanks

– Speakers– Example written options

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Aim

• Inform you of written options available

• Examiners' perspective• Questions• View successful written option

examples• Meet others preparing for part 2• Meet RCPath trainee reps

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Information for Candidates

• http://www.rcpath.org/resources/pdf/Written_options_2009.pdf (Nov 08 version)

• http://www.rcpath.org/resources/pdf/regs_and_guide_2009.pdf

• http://www.rcpath.org/resources/pdf/genetics.pdf

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When to take Part 2?

– Normally not taken until eight yrs post degree

– Does not have to be a large gap between Parts 1 and 2

• if Part 1 attained ~6–7 yrs post-degree or more can move rapidly to Part 2

– Candidates are required to give evidence of widening experience over at least 2 yrs training by examination of a written component & an oral exam

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Written Options

• a) a casebook. • b) a dissertation • c) ≥ 3 refereed published papers • d) a PhD/MD thesis, normally

completed during the training period

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Proposal

• Must submit a proposal to RCPath – dissertation – casebook – Papers

• If possible, submit a proposal before commencing a PhD thesis for approval

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When to Submit a Proposal?

• Only submit “written work” after successful completion of the part 1 practical

• Can submit proposals by email – exams@rcpath.org

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Proposal Content

• Proposal should outline the project – background– aims– methods– significance of the study– include approval of a relevant ethics

committee where appropriate• Proposal no more than 1500 words

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Submitting Written Component

• Submit within 3 yrs of proposal approved

• If fail to submit in time:– need to apply for an extension,

giving reasons OR– submit a new proposal

• Written component must be awarded a pass mark before the oral exam taken

• Must be submitted 6 months before the part 2 exam candidate wishes to enter

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Part 2 Viva

• Teresa

• Separate self help for viva preparation

• Must have passed written component

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Written Options

• a) a casebook. • b) a dissertation • c) ≥ 3 refereed published papers • d) a PhD/MD thesis, normally

completed during the training period

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Casebook

• Sandra Birdsall (cytogenetics)• 7-8 cases • Supervisor to confirm candidate

has made major contribution to the cases

• Candidate must make clear their personal involvement in each case

• Include discussion of significance of findings & survey of literature

• Total length ~10,000 to 20,000 words– excluding refs– would not normally >20,000

words

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Dissertation

• Purpose of dissertation - “to allow assessment of candidate's practical ability based on work performed in the department in which they are employed & their ability to report and assess the significance of their findings”

• • Project should arise from the

normal work and interests of the department

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Dissertation (2)

• Usually 4000-6000 words in length (excluding bibliography)

• Research work used – Human molecular genetics– Human cytogenetics

• Reasonably up to date • Include declaration if any of the

work has been submitted in support of another qualification eg PhD

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Casebook & Dissertation

• English• Standard of dissertation project

should be such that it is suitable for publication in a scientific journal

• Standard of writing in casebook should be equivalent to that expected for publication of a case report in a scientific journal

• Illustrations & tables interleaved appropriately with text

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Casebook & Dissertation ) 2(

• Include statement indicating any work that has been published (list the references)– Cannot simply reproduce published

work– Present in a revised, amplified or

extended form– Candidate is the major contributor

to relevant publications (usually 1st named author)

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Casebook & Dissertation ) 3(

• Any scientific or technical help acknowledged

• Double spacing (except references)• Must be bound (preferably plastic

spine) – Allow for alterations• Two bound & one electronic• Written work scanned for improper

citation or plagiarism using source-matching software

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PhD/MD Option

• Robyn Labrum• Reasonably up to date• PhD can be rewritten as a

dissertation– results & subject up to date in

light of current research & publications

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Papers Option

• Louise Lavender talk• Examples

– 6 NF2 papers (5 first author, 1 multi)

– 14 FAP, HNPCC, other polyposis syndromes (4 first author, 10 multi)

– 17 molecular classification of MODY (1 sole, 3 first, 1 last, 11 multi)

• Commentary - length not specified– ~3000-4000 words

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Assessment of Written Work

• Teresa

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Submitting Written Option

• Printed application form to the Examination Dept RCPath – Do not send to examiner

• If want to take viva – send it 6 months before exam candidate wishes to enter

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Submitting Written Option

• Sponsored by fellow of the college involved in your training– Certify candidate has personally

carried out the work• If impractical - HOD as sponsor

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Submitting Written Option (2)

• Can submit for both written & viva at same time – Viva entry not confirmed until pass– Withdraw while written under

consideration do not forfeit fee • Can submit written option ONLY

without applying for viva – Do not pay for part 2 exam until

applying for viva component (£505)

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Submitting Written Option (3)

• Other documentation required– passport photo signed &

endorsed by sponsor– Stamped addressed postcard for

confirmation of receipt

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FRCPath by Published Work

• “Granted to persons, whether medically qualified or not, who submit published works of sufficient distinction on pathology and related subjects”

• Not normally intended for pathologists working in diagnostic departments of the major specialties

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FRCPath by Published Work

• 30 peer-reviewed publications

• first or senior author

• make substantial high-quality contributions to research & practice within the applicant's nominated discipline

• Can contact David Rubinsztein to discuss– dcr1000@cam.ac.uk

• http://www.rcpath.org/resources/pdf/published_works.pdf

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Thanks for listening

• gemma.monaghan@nhs.net