The methodology used for the IAPS is the professional discussion (PD). The IAPS will consist of three elements:
- A pre-PD element
- PD Element 1 – review of a specialist or service-based paper
- PD Element 2 – meeting the Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency
1. A pre-professional discussion element
On this element, you are being assessed on your submitted evidence.
2. Professional discussion element 1 – review of a specialist or service-based paper
On this element, you are being assessed on your critical reasoning, scientific integrity and vision.
Review of a previously unidentified specialist research or service-based paper (60 minutes) followed by a professional discussion with the examination panel (30 minutes).
This component will require you to respond to the following standard statement made to start your discussion:
‘Please discuss with us (the panel) the key points of interest to you as a Consultant Clinical Scientist that you elicited from the paper in your review. We (the panel) would like to understand your reasoning as part of your discussion. We (the panel examiners) may come in with supplementary questions as appropriate to the discussion.‘
3. Professional discussion element 2 – meeting the Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency
On this element, you are being assessed on your development to Consultant Clinical Scientist level.
You will be expected to demonstrate your development to consultant clinical scientist level against each GSP domain via a professional discussion with the examination panel using the submitted evidence as a basis for the discussion (60 minutes).
This component will require you to address the following standard statement to start the discussion under each GSP domain:
‘With reference to the evidence you submitted, please tell us how this demonstrates your development to Consultant Clinical Scientist level on the (name of domain) domain.’