Histopathology ST1 - Specialty Specific Application Form Questions

These are the UK Specialty Training application form questions used on Oriel for applications to ST1, CT1, ST3 and ST4 specialty training posts. These are the application form questions used for posts advertised in November 2023 with a start date from August 2024. Dental Specialty posts are usually advertised in January with a start date in September.

The questions are presented here to help you prepare for your future applications. Please be aware application form structures, questions, word counts, etc. can change and there is no guarantee that future application forms will remain the same. 

Supporting Information

1. Application Information

EXPERIENCE AND COMMITMENT

  1. Why are you motivated to pursue a career in Histopathology? In what way are you able to demonstrate that your own skills and attributes are suitable for a career in this specialty? (Words allowed: 250)
  2. What plan have you followed to develop your understanding of Histopathology? How have your actions developed your insight into Histopathology? (Words allowed: 250)
  3. Provide evidence of activities/achievements/ attendance at courses over and above your regular scheduled daily activities that demonstrate your personal commitment to Histopathology (or development of relevant skills). Where appropriate indicate date and location relating to the evidence. (Words allowed: 250)


CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  1. From your own experience, describe the next steps after a patient in your care has died. (Words allowed: 250)
  2. From your experience describe a patient in whom the pathology report had an important influence on management. (Words allowed: 250)


PERSONAL SKILLS

  1. Histopathologists have to be effective communicators; can you illustrate a situation where you have demonstrated effective communication skills. (Words allowed: 150)
  2. Describe a time when you have had a particularly difficult day at work. What strategies did you use to cope with this situation both during and after this time and how effective were they? (Words allowed: 150)
  3. Describe a recent example of when you have worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team. What approach did you take and how did your behaviour contribute to the effectiveness of the team? (Words allowed: 150)
  4. You notice that a piece of work you have undertaken on your own appears in your colleague’s portfolio as if it was his/her work. How do you approach this situation? (Words allowed: 150)


OTHER INFORMATION

  1. Please state whether you agree to data collected regarding your application and subsequent test and examination scores being used anonymously for research purposes by the Royal College of Pathologists and HEE. All data will be confidential and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Please note that you are free to withdraw from this research at any time. (Words allowed: 100)

Do you currently hold a National Training Number in Histopathology in the UK (by date of application)? (Yes/No)

2. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Please list any additional completed undergraduate qualifications with dates. Include intercalated BSc/ equivalent degree here, if you have one. Do not include details of your pre university school education/ exam results.

For each qualification:

  • Name
  • Qualification
  • Place of Study
  • Grade/Honours
  • Date Completed


3. Support for doctors new to the UK

The GMC run free ethical guidance workshops for doctors who are new to the UK. The purpose is to help with adaptation to UK medical practice.

HEE, HEIW, NIMDTA and NES and other NHS organisations including employing Trusts may also provide support to help with adaptation to UK medical practice.

If the role to which you are applying will be your first in the UK, with your consent, your details may be shared with the GMC and other organisations who can offer support with working in the UK.

If the role to which you are applying will be your first in the UK or you feel you would benefit from this type of support, with your consent, your details may be shared with the GMC and other organisations who can offer support with working in the UK. Do you consent? (Yes/No)

Self-Assessment

1. 2024 Histopathology Self-Assessment

As part of your application for Histopathology Training ST1, you will be required to complete a self assessment, along with submitting evidence to justify your score. Your score and evidence will be verified by a consultant panel.

This section of the form is where all scores for your application will be gained, based on the details you give regarding your achievements and qualifications. You are required to select the most appropriate option from the list of statements for each of the domains of achievements.

Selection of options must be absolutely at your discretion alone. We have attempted to clarify the wording of options below, but under no circumstances can we advise you on which options to select. Experiences and achievements will not always fit under one option or another so you will need to employ your professional judgement to ascertain which of the available options is the most appropriate; where more than one statement matches your achievements, select the highest option on the list.

Any instances of applicants trying to gain an unfair advantage by over-claiming scores for and/or exaggerating their achievements will be taken extremely seriously.

This could lead to an application either being marked down, deemed not appointable, or, in more serious cases, could be reported as a probity matter to the GMC.

In the event that you realise after submitting your form that you have over claimed on your form, you must email details to the recruitment team via the applicant support portal.

Q1 – Additional undergraduate degrees and qualifications

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • Degree obtained prior to starting medicine – 1ST CLASS HONOURS OR EQUIVALENT (can include non-medical related degrees) : 3
  • Degree obtained prior to starting medicine – 2.1 OR EQUIVALENT (can include non-medical  related degrees) : 2
  • None/other : 0

 
Q2 – Postgraduate degrees and qualifications

Please select the option that most applies to you.

  • PhD or DPhil Doctor of Philosophy (can include non-medical related qualifications) : 4
  • MD Doctor of Medicine – two-year original research-based or MPhil Master of Philosophy (can include non-medical related qualifications) : 4
  • Masters level degree eg MSc, MA, MRes, etc. (can include non-medical qualifications). Typically lasts 8 months or longer, full-time equivalent : 3
  • MD Doctor of Medicine – dissertation : 3
  • Other relevant postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate typically lasting BETWEEN ONE AND TEN MONTHS (whole time equivalent)  You cannot claim for any membership examinations, or parts thereof, from within or outside the UK; this includes MRCP(UK). Qualifications unrelated to medicine cannot be claimed for in this option. : 2
  • None/other : 0


Q3 – Presentations/posters

Please select the option that most applies to you.  You are advised to read the corresponding self assessment scoring guidance to complete this section.  This can be downloaded from the useful documents section of the advertisement.

  • I have GIVEN a HISTOPATHOLOGY related ORAL PRESENTATION at a NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 8
  • I have GIVEN a Non-HISTOPATHOLOGY related ORAL PRESENTATION at a NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 5
  • I have shown MORE THAN ONE HISTOPATHOLOGY related POSTER at NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meetings after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 8
  • I have shown MORE THAN ONE Non-HISTOPATHOLOGY related POSTER at NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meetings after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 5
  • I have SHOWN ONE HISTOPATHOLOGY related POSTER at a NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 6
  • I have SHOWN ONE Non-HISTOPATHOLOGY POSTER at a NATIONAL or INTERNATIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 4
  • I have GIVEN a HISTOPATHOLOGY related ORAL PRESENTATION at a REGIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 6
  • I have GIVEN a Non-HISTOPATHOLOGY ORAL PRESENTATION at a REGIONAL medical meeting after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 4
  • I have SHOWN ONE OR MORE POSTERS at a REGIONAL medical meeting(s) after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 4
  • I have GIVEN an ORAL PRESENTATION, or shown ONE OR MORE POSTERS at a LOCAL medical meeting(s) after being INVITED / SELECTED to do so : 2
  • I was a significant contributor to an ORAL PRESENTATION OR POSTER at a NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL medical meeting, which I DID NOT personally present or show : 2
  • None/other : 0


Q4 – Publication

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I am first author, or joint-first author, of TWO OR MORE PubMed-cited original research publications (or in press) : 5
  • I am co-author of TWO OR MORE PubMed-cited original research publications (or in press) : 4
  • I am first author, or joint-first author, of ONE PubMed-cited original research publication (or in press) : 4
  • I am co-author of ONE PubMed-cited original research publication (or in press) : 3
  • I am first author, joint-first author, or co-author of MORE THAN ONE PubMed-cited OTHER PUBLICATION (or in press) such as editorials, reviews, case reports, letters, etc : 3
  • I am first author, joint-first author, or co-author of ONE PubMed-cited OTHER PUBLICATION (or in press) such as an editorial, review, case report, letter, etc : 3
  • I have published one or more abstracts, non peer-reviewed articles or published articles that are not PubMed-cited : 2
  • None/other : 0


Q5 – Teaching experience

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I have worked with local tutors to DESIGN and ORGANISE a teaching programme (a series of sessions) to enhance locally organised teaching for healthcare professionals or medical students. I have CONTRIBUTED REGULARLY to teaching over a period of APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS or longer. I have evidence of FORMAL FEEDBACK. : 10
  • I have ORGANISED a local teaching programme for healthcare professionals or medical students consisting of MORE THAN ONE SESSION AND CONTRIBUTED REGULARLY to teaching over a period of APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS or longer. I have evidence of FORMAL FEEDBACK. : 8
  • I have provided REGULAR teaching for healthcare professionals or medical students over a period of APPROXIMATLEY THREE MONTHS or longer. I have evidence of FORMAL FEEDBACK. : 6
  • I have taught medical students or other health professionals OCCASIONALLY. I have evidence of FORMAL FEEDBACK. : 4
  • None/other : 0


Q6 – Training in teaching

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I have been awarded a masters level teaching qualification : 5
  • I have a higher qualification in teaching eg PG Cert or PG Diploma : 3
  • I have had substantial training in teaching methods lasting more than two days; this could include a completed module which forms part of a postgraduate teaching qualification : 2
  • I have had brief training in teaching methods lasting no more than two days : 1
  • I have had no training in teaching methods : 0

 
Q7 – Quality improvement (QI)

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I played a leading role in the DESIGN and IMPLEMENTATION of a sustainable change (ie more than one completed PDSA cycle) using QI METHODOLOGY, AND I have PRESENTED the complete results at a meeting : 10
  • I played a leading role in the DESIGN and IMPLEMENTATION of a sustainable change (ie more than one completed PDSA cycle) using QI METHODOLOGY, BUT I have NOT PRESENTED the results : 8
  • I have ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED in the DESIGN and IMPLEMENTATION of a sustainable change (ie more than one completed PDSA cycle) using QI METHODOLOGY, AND I have PRESENTED the complete results at a meeting : 6
  • I have ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED in the DESIGN and IMPLEMENTATION of a sustainable change (ie more than one completed PDSA cycle) change using QI METHODOLOGY, BUT I have NOT PRESENTED the complete results at a meeting : 4
  • I have participated ONLY IN CERTAIN STAGES of a quality improvement project, which has COMPLETED AT LEAST ONE CYCLE : 2
  • None/other : 0


Q8 – Leadership and Management

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I hold/have held a NATIONAL leadership or managerial role related to the provision of healthcare for 6 OR MORE MONTHS and can DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE IMPACT : 8
  • I hold/have held a NATIONAL leadership or managerial role in a non-medical voluntary capacity for 6 OR MORE MONTHS and can DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE IMPACT : 8
  • I hold/have held a REGIONAL leadership or managerial role related to the provision of healthcare for 6 OR MORE MONTHS and can DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE IMPACT : 6
  • I hold/have held a LOCAL leadership or managerial role related to the provision of healthcare for 6 OR MORE MONTHS and can DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE IMPACT : 4
  • I hold/have held a LOCAL/REGIONAL leadership or managerial role in a non-medical voluntary capacity for 6 OR MORE MONTHS and can DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE IMPACT : 4
  • None/other : 0


Q9 – Commitment to Histopathology as a Specialty

Please select the option that most applies to you

  • I have completed a foundation year programme or extended period of training in histopathology : 10
  • I have had experience in histopathology lasting more than two days; for example a taster week in a histopathology department : 10
  • I have had brief experience in histopathology lasting no more than two days : 6
  • I have had no experience of histopathology : 0

 
Q10 – Histopathology Related Activities

Please select the option that most applies to you.

  • I have completed a research project related to histopathology : 8
  • I have produced a presentation/poster related to histopathology and presented this at a national/regional meeting : 8
  • I have completed an audit in histopathology : 6
  • I have attended courses related to histopathology : 4
  • I have completed an alternative activity related to histopatology that is not listed above and have evidence to demonstrate this : 4
  • I have not completed any of the above histopathology related activities : 0