Certification Examination in Family Medicine (CCFP)

1. Certification Examination in Family Medicine(CCFP)

2. Introduction • Overview of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) certification examination in family medicine • Exam composition • Preparation • Tips for written component • Organization of oral component

3. Certification Examination in Family Medicine • Eligible to sit the exam in the last six months of your residency • 2 day examination • Written and oral components • Many sites across the country • Spring & Fall sittings • Successful completion of the examination earns a Certification in Family Practice in Canada (CCFP) • This is a Family Medicine exam!!!

4. Written Component(SAMPs) • 40 – 45 Short Answer Management Problems (SAMPs) • Conducted on the first day • Approximately six hours divided between morning and afternoon

5. SAMPs • “…intended to measure a candidate’s problem solving skills and knowledge in the context of a clinical situation.” Guide to the Certification Examination in Family Medicine

6. Preparation Tips! • Study common family medicine topics • Circulating old exam questions are great for topics but don’t rely on these for exact content • Don’t focus on any guidelines published after December since exam is prepared before January • Review topics in relevant journals from Aug to Aug of the year prior to the one in which you are writing

7. Tips cont… • Write legibly!!!! You will be scored only on what can be read. • Exams are scored by physicians • Answers are pre-defined on an answer key. • No opportunities for interpretation

8. Tips cont… • For each case, the setting in which you are practicing is described. Base answers on this. • Most questions can be answered in 10 words or fewer. • You are scored only on the number of answers required. • If they ask for three and you put down five, only the first three will be considered.

9. Tips cont… • One answer per line • Answers must be listed vertically • If put list on one line, only first answer will be considered

10. Tips cont… • Usually the question asks for the best available so don’t answer based on what’s available in your area but on GOLD standards. • Watch if the question asks for drug class or name of the drug. • Generic names are preferred. Use Trade name CAUTIOUSLY!

11. Tips cont… • Be specific on treatment (e.g. give route of administration of medications and fluids) • Be specific on investigations (e.g. must specify abdominal ultrasound not just ultrasound)

12. Tips cont… • Read the questions carefully • Be specific on laboratory investigations (e.g. CBC and lytes not acceptable since is a series of tests, must specify the desired parameter such as hemoglobin, white blood cell count, potassium)

13. Summary • Take your time • Read questions carefully • Be specific • Avoid trade names • No abbreviations • Relax!! This is material you know

14. SOOs

15. The Simulated Office Oral • Designed to simulate a clinical encounter to test your ability to apply the patient centered clinical method • Examiners assume the role of Patient • Five SOOs each 15 minutes • Each encounter usually deals with two patient issues (Problem A and Problem B) • Consider: • Medical condition with a psychosocial issue • Multiple medical conditions in a cultural/psychosocial context

16. Time Line • Problem A is the presenting complaint • Problem B is not initially apparent • if problem B not addressed by 5 minutes, then a prompt will be given • if problem B not addressed by 8 mins patient will blurt it out • At 12 minutes you will be told to provide your action plan

17. Approach to problems • Consider each problem by taking an appropriate Hx to include: • an assessment of current status • past treatments • past investigations • risk factor analysis • Then assess how this illness has affected the patient’s life by asking about Feelings, Ideas, Functions and Expectations (FIFE)

18. Integration of the Problems • Demonstrate insight into the patient’s condition by putting both conditions into context • restate what the patient has told you • discuss it with regard to the individual’s family and community supports

19. Management of the Problems • Involve your patient!! • Find common ground • Develop a shared action plan • Provide assurance • Make arrangements for a physical examination • Request old charts • Order investigations • Provide for follow up

20. Assessment of Communication • This is scored on the overall feel of the clinical interview • The candidate is assessed on: • Para-verbal communication • Ability to put the patient at ease • Empathy and nonjudgmental demeanor • Avoidance of medical jargon

21. Summary • Each SOO has two problems • Once the problems are identified they need to be put in context of the patient’s life and supports • Management has to be mutually agreeable • Communication skills are important

22. Passing the Exam • You are assessed on your overall score for each section of the examination • Consequently, a poor performance on one question may be negated by a good performance on others

23. Good Luck!! More information available: www.cfpc.ca

24. Acknowledgements • Dr. John Campbell (?CCFP), Past President, Section of Residents • Communication Committee, Section of Residents