I am considering a career in public health medicine. Do I have to have an MPH to enter the specialty?
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7459.s32 (Published 24 July 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:s32
Abstract
Got a career or related problem that needs answering? Can't find the right person to point you in the right direction? Log on to the Advice Zone (www.bmjcareers.com/advicezone) for reliable medical careers advice. You can post a question or see if one of our 300 advisers has already answered a similar question. Here is a selection of questions and answers posted on the site.
A masters in public health (MPH) or equivalent postgraduate degree is not essential for recruitment to a specialist registrar (SpR) post in public health medicine. The Faculty of Public Health website (www.fph.org.uk) gives the minimum eligibility requirements and also other useful information about training in public health. Currently, the faculty states:
“The minimum requirements for eligibility for a training post at specialist registrar grade are:
Registration with the GMC [General Medical Council] (full or limited)
Two years' postregistration experience (GPT)
At least 12 months and preferably 24 months of GPT must be in specialities involving direct patient care.”
Most (if not all) regions that have SpR public health training programmes in the United Kingdom provide the opportunity and funding for SpRs to undertake a masters degree in the first year of training (or part time over a longer period). These are taught courses and help to prepare SpRs for the part 1 examination for membership of the Faculty of Public Health.
The usual SpR training programme lasts five years. However, if a successful applicant already has a relevant masters degree their training is usually for four years, and they would take the part 1 examination earlier than those who are undertaking the masters course in their first year. Having a relevant masters degree before applying to be an SpR in public health does not necessarily give any advantage to the applicant over those who do not have such a degree. Therefore, a person with a masters degree might not be appointed to an SpR post.
In addition to useful information about training and examinations, the Faculty of Public Health website (address above) also gives the contact details for the programme directors of the training programmes in the various regions. If you want to know more about training in a particular region you can find out the contact details of the relevant programme director and contact him or her directly.