MRCOG Part 1: Statistics and Epidemiology - Essential Study Guide

This is your essential guide to the Statistics and Epidemiology section of the MRCOG Part 1 exam. We built it from our own experience of sitting the exam, the RCOG syllabus and the official reading list. It lists the statistics and epidemiology concepts most often tested, section by section.

Why Statistics and Epidemiology matters in MRCOG Part 1

Statistics and Epidemiology are crucial for understanding and interpreting medical research, evaluating evidence-based practices, and assessing the health of populations. In the context of obstetrics and gynaecology, these disciplines are essential for understanding disease prevalence, risk factors, diagnostic tests, and treatment effectiveness. The MRCOG Part 1 exam will test your ability to apply statistical and epidemiological principles to clinical scenarios.

Statistics and Epidemiology syllabus, section by section

IBasic Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

Scales of Measurement
  • Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales
  • Understanding the differences and appropriate use of each scale
Measures of Central Tendency
  • Mean, median, mode
  • How to calculate each measure
  • When to use each measure (e.g., skewed data)
Measures of Dispersion
  • Range, variance, standard deviation
  • Understanding the concept of variability
  • How to calculate and interpret standard deviation
Normal Distribution
  • Characteristics of a normal distribution
  • Concept of standard normal deviate (z-score)
Standard Error of the Mean
  • Definition and calculation of SEM
  • Relationship to sample size and standard deviation
  • Interpreting SEM in the context of population mean
Confidence Intervals
  • Definition and calculation of 95% confidence intervals
  • Interpreting confidence intervals
  • Relationship to sample size and standard error

Inferential Statistics

Hypothesis Testing
  • Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis
  • Type I and type II errors
  • Significance level (alpha) and p-values
  • Interpreting p-values
Statistical Tests
  • Chi-square test (for categorical data)
  • t-tests (for comparing means of two groups)
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA) (for comparing means of more than two groups)
  • Correlation (Pearson's r, Spearman's rho)
  • Linear and multiple regression
Sample Size Determination
  • Factors influencing sample size calculations
  • Concept of power (1-beta)

IIScreening and Trials Statistics

Screening Tests

Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Definitions and calculations
  • Interpreting sensitivity and specificity
  • Relationship between sensitivity and specificity
Predictive Values
  • Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV)
  • Definitions and calculations
  • Influence of disease prevalence on predictive values
Likelihood Ratios
  • Definition and calculation of likelihood ratios
  • Interpreting likelihood ratios
Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves
  • Interpreting ROC curves
  • Using ROC curves to determine optimal cut-off values

Clinical Trials

Types of Study Designs
  • Randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
  • Cohort studies
  • Case-control studies
  • Cross-sectional studies
Bias and Confounding
  • Understanding different types of bias
  • Methods to minimise bias

IIIEpidemiology

Measures of Disease Frequency

Incidence and Prevalence
  • Definitions and calculations
  • Relationship between incidence and prevalence
Mortality Rates
  • Maternal mortality rate, definition and calculation
  • Neonatal mortality rate, definition and calculation
  • Perinatal mortality rate, definition and calculation
  • Stillbirth rate, definition and calculation

Risk Assessment

Odds Ratios and Relative Risks
  • Definitions and calculations
  • Interpreting odds ratios and relative risks
  • Confidence intervals for odds ratios and relative risks
Risk Factors and Causation
  • Distinguishing between association and causation

Maternal and Neonatal Health

Maternal Deaths in the UK
  • Understanding trends in maternal deaths
  • Major causes of maternal deaths
  • Risk factors for maternal mortality
Global Maternal Health
  • Global trends in maternal mortality
  • Major causes of maternal deaths worldwide
  • Disparities in maternal health outcomes
Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths
  • Trends and risk factors in the UK
  • Major causes of stillbirths and neonatal deaths

How to master Statistics and Epidemiology

  • Review: work through each section systematically and understand the core concepts before moving on.
  • Active learning: draw diagrams, build mind maps and explain concepts to someone else.
  • Test yourself: try our free practice questions, then work through the statistics and epidemiology questions in the Uterio question bank.

Additional resources