Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the AMC Exams: What IMGs Need to Know

Many IMG candidates underestimate the role of Public Health in the AMC Part 1 and AMC Clinical Exams - until it shows up in the questions.

From immunisations to outbreak management, from ethical dilemmas to screening protocols, public health is embedded across both exams.

According to A/Prof George Eskander, Chief Examiner at PassGP and former AMC Examiner:

“Public health is a core pillar of the Australian system. The AMC doesn’t treat it as optional. You’re expected to think beyond the individual patient - and understand safety, systems, and community protection.”

Let’s break down what to expect and how to prepare.

Why Public Health Matters in AMC Exams

Australia has a strong public health infrastructure, overseen by AHPRA, the NHMRC, and various state departments. The AMC exams expect you to:

• Follow national vaccination schedules
• Manage notifiable diseases
• Understand screening and prevention guidelines
• Act ethically and legally under AHPRA standards

Failing to understand this content can lead to critical safety errors in the exam.

 Common Public Health Topics in AMC Part 1

• Vaccination schedules (e.g., catch-up vaccines, contraindications)
• Notifiable diseases (e.g., TB, HIV, hepatitis)
• Screening programs (e.g., cervical, bowel, breast cancer)
• Occupational exposures (e.g., needle stick injury, TB in healthcare workers)
• Epidemiology basics (sensitivity, specificity, RR, NNT)
• Prevention strategies (primary, secondary, tertiary)
• Infection control protocols

Tip from A/Prof Eskander:

“Never choose an answer that puts one person’s convenience above public safety. That’s not AHPRA-aligned care.”

 Public Health in the AMC Clinical Exam

You may face stations involving:

• New migrant without vaccinations
• Contact tracing for meningococcal or TB
• Health promotion (e.g., smoking, STIs, obesity)
• Discharge planning including public health notification

These are often communication stations, where your ability to explain, reassure, and follow public protocols is being tested.

 Examples of Public Health Red Flags

• Hepatitis B in pregnancy – notify public health, immunoglobulin for baby
• Unexplained weight loss + TB contact – CXR + notification
• Occupational HIV exposure – PEP initiation, risk discussion

How Public Health Is Marked

In both exams, you’ll be assessed on your ability to:

• Identify public risk
• Escalate or notify appropriately
• Follow evidence-based Australian guidelines
• Communicate risks clearly and ethically

Failing to escalate, notify, or follow prevention protocols can cost you the entire case.

How PassGP Covers Public Health for AMC Success

Our AMC question banks, and mock exams include:

• Public health scenario-based MCQs with detailed explanations
• Clinical cases featuring communicable disease management and counselling
• Australian guideline-aligned answers, updated regularly
• Video-modelled answers showing communication of risk and escalation

You’ll learn:

• Which diseases are notifiable
• How to manage infection control
• How to think like an AHPRA-registered intern

Start Your AMC Public Health Prep Today

Access over 1500 AMC-style MCQs and dozens of public health-focused scenarios at PassGP - with feedback from experts like A/Prof Eskander.

 Don’t lose marks for preventable errors. Learn public health the way AMC expects it.