CPHQ EXAMINATION INRODUCTION

12-04-2006 Presented by: Muna Said

A CPHQ is
An individual who has passed the HQCBs (Healthcare Quality Certification Board)) accredited international examination, demonstrating competent knowledge, skill and understanding of program development and management, quality improvement concepts, coordination of survey processes, communication and education techniques, and departmental management.

Certification
To become certified, each quality management professional must pass the CPHQ exam. Certification is for individuals only, the CPHQ designation may not be used to imply that an organization, association or private firm is certified.

Certification in quality management is effective on the date you pass the examination.

Certification
Each successful candidate will receive a certificate that is suitable for framing, identification card, CPHQ pin and recertification information approximately 6-8 weeks after completing the examination. The credential is valid from that date through a two-year period which begins on the first day of January of the year following the date you pass the examination.

Recertification
Following successful completion of the certification examination, the CPHQ is required to maintain certification by fulfilling continuing education (CE) requirements, the current requirements include obtaining and maintaining documentation of 30 CE hours over a two-year recertification cycle and payment of a recertification fee, all CE must relate to areas covered in the most current examination content outline.

The Exam..
The examination is available in computer-based format at Assessment Centers in different locations. Examination fees: $ 440 Examination duration: 3 hours.

Principle based: the quality principle should apply regardless of healthcare setting or discipline.

The Exam..
140 all multiple choice questions. 125 questions are scored. 15 added as pretest questions, are not scored and will not impact the final score, but you will not know which questions these are. This allows these questions to be validated as accurate and appropriate before they are included as a measure of candidate competency. There is no penalty for wrong answers

Exam Content
The Exam is divided into the four following categories: 1. Management and Leadership
a) Strategic b) Operational

2. Information Management
a) Design and Data Collection b) Analysis c) Interpretation

Exam Content
3. Education, Training and Communication
a) Education and Training b) Communication

4. Performance Measurement and Improvement

a) b) c) d) Planning Implementation Evaluation Integration

Exam Content
Details on these categories are available in the Content Outlines section in the handbook.

CPHQ Examination Blueprint Matrix

Content Category
Management and Leadership % of Exam 19.2% # of Recall Application Questions 24 36 23 42 5 10 9 16 15 19 12 20 Analysis 4 7 2 6

Information Management 28.8% Education, Training and Communication Performance Measurement and Improvement 18.4% 33.6%

Total % of Total

100%

125 100%

40 32%

66 53%

19 15%

CPHQ Examination Blueprint Matrix

Recall Questions: test the candidates knowledge of specific facts and concepts. Application Questions: require the candidate to interpret or apply information to a situation. Analysis Questions: test the candidates ability to evaluate, problem solve or integrate a variety of information and/ or judgment into a meaningful whole.

Preparing for the Exam

The Healthcare Quality Handbook

A Professional Resource and Study Guide

The Handbook
A useful guide to prepare for the CPHQ Exam. The handbook is not organized like the content outline for the CPHQ Examination. An outline format is used to help you focus on main points and related subpoints. The flow of material moves from general concepts and principles to more specific management and implementation activities for use as an ongoing resource.

How to use the Handbook

The handbook sections that relate more directly to the exam content outline are in Bold Format in the table of contents at the beginning of each chapter. Throughout the handbook , specific exam notes identifying material that is not apt to be on the exam are bordered, or put in brackets { }.

How to use the Handbook

The handbook references applicable accreditation standards often reflect changes in legislation, regulation, case law, or healthcare philosophy, do not memorize or overstudy these standards, rather use the concepts, rationale and elements.

When Studying
Think in terms of general principles of quality that can be applicable to all patient care setting. Read to understand key concepts and general principles and how one principle relates with another. Read the entire handbook through once before you start studying chapter by chapter.

When Studying
Prioritize material for later review. Consider the number of exam questions. Avoid taking notes on a separate pad. Spend the most time studying those areas with which you are not familiar. Refer to the Glossary at the end of the handbook to clarify definitions.

When Studying
Use a logical thought process, e.g. the if-then thinking. Example: if the outcome is a good one (outcome measures indicate the outcome or result is as anticipated) then you can assume the process associated with the outcome do not need to be measured.

Study Questions
The study questions at the end of each chapter are provided as an opportunity for critical thought process. These questions should not be used as a Pretest in the preparing for the CPHQ exam and they do not cover all areas of the exam. When studying the questions ask yourself why is the correct answer correct? or why might the wrong answer (called distracter) be wrong?