What are the two main components of the CFPC certification exam?

The correct answer reflects the structure of the CFPC certification exam, which is designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and clinical skills in a comprehensive manner. The written component assesses medical knowledge through various question formats, including multiple-choice questions that cover a broad range of topics in family medicine.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the practical part of the certification process and focuses on assessing clinical skills through interactive, station-based evaluations. These stations simulate real patient encounters, allowing candidates to demonstrate their clinical skills, including history-taking, physical examination, and communication abilities. The OSCE is crucial because it tests not only the candidate's medical knowledge but also their ability to apply this knowledge in real-life clinical scenarios, which is essential for effective patient care.

This combination of a written exam and OSCE provides a balanced assessment of both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring that certified family physicians are well-equipped to meet the demands of their practice.