Pediatrics and Child Health –United Kingdom

The programme has been designed to be applicable to students with a wide range of background skills in pediatrics and child health who require a detailed understanding of core research methodologies, critical evaluation, evidence-based approaches and the scientific basis of childhood disease.

A key feature is its multi-professional nature, which is considered essential for professional practice in pediatrics and child health. The uniqueness of this course is its emphasis not only on the clinical aspects of pediatric care but also on the provision of such care, which will be embedded within the clinical modules.

There is also the opportunity to plan and execute a rigorous research project in an area of pediatrics and child health or related subspecialty (i.e. neonatology)

Member Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH)

DCH
Diploma in Child Health- comprises two exams. You must achieve a pass mark in both in order to be awarded DCH.
  •  Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory exam – this is shared with the MRCPCH (membership exam)
  •  DCH Clinical exam

Candidates take the FOP theory examination on a computer at a test centre. The FOP and DCH Clinical examinations can be taken in any order and are non-sequential. There are usually three sittings of the FOP exam both in the UK and overseas each year. There are usually two exam weeks set for holding the DCH Clinical in the UK each year.

Eligibility
  •  You must have a primary medical qualification or be registered with the General Medical Council -GMC
  •  Candidates do not need pass English language tests. However, we recommend that your English language proficiency- IELTS Level 7.5
  •  The candidates working in the UK have four to six months' experience in pediatrics', though this is not required. If you are taking the exam overseas, we recommend you have six months' pediatrics' experience.

MRCPCH
Pediatricians become full members of the MRCPCH and achieve the designation MRCPCH once they have passed four separate postgraduate medical exams.

MRCPCH
  •  an essential component of training for pediatricians in UK
  •  mapped to the UK curriculum
  •  approved by the General Medical Council-GMC
  •  informed by the latest research and evidence based
  •  Responsive to changes in UK training.

MRCPCH comprises:
  •  Foundation of Practice (FOP) – theory exam
  •  Theory and Science (TAS) – theory exam
  •  Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) – theory exam
  •  MRCPCH Clinical exam

MRCPCH as an opportunity for up-skilling, to drive learning and to gain an internationally recognized post graduate medical qualification.

Regulations and rules for MRCPCH and DCH examinations
Successfully complete all parts of the Membership Examination;
Pay the membership fee as may be prescribed from time to time by council.

Examinations
MRCPCH
  •  Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory examination (basic child health)
  •  Theory and Science (TAS) theory examination (basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles upon which clinical practice is based)
  •  Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) theory examination (knowledge synthesis/evaluation, clinical decision making and management)
  •  MRCPCH Clinical examination (multi station OSCE)

Theory examinations can be taken in the candidate's order of preference. On successful completion of the 3 theory examinations, candidates are eligible for entry to the MRCPCH Clinical Examination.

DCH
DCH Examination
Foundation of Practice theory examination-basic child health, the same examination paper as MRCPCH
DCH Clinical examination

Pediatrics and Child Health
Compulsory modules
  •  Evidence-based Child Health
  •  Research Methodology and Statistics
  •  Plus either:
  •  Specialist Pediatrics I
  •  Or:
  •  Specialist Pediatrics II

Entry requirements
The award of any of the following from a recognized institution:
A Bachelor's degree with a minimum overall CGPA of 7.75/10, 6.25/8.0, 5.75/7.0, 4.25/6.0, 3.3/4.0, or 60% where a GPA scale is not used. The overall mark required is dependent on the subject and the ranking of the institution at which the degree has been taken.