CFPC Exam (CCFP) study guide
CFPC Exam (CCFP) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certification Examination in Family Medicine is the summative assessment leading to certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the body that sets standards for family medicine training and continuing professional development across Canada. It is intended for residents completing accredited family medicine residency training and for other physicians pursuing certification through the routes the College recognizes, including alternative pathways to certification in family medicine. The CFPC Exam (CCFP) study guide has 6 sections and about 2,324 words.
01Family Medicine: Patient-Centred Care and CFPC Key Features
The Family Medicine domain is the integrative spine of the CFPC Certification Examination. It tests whether a candidate can apply the Four Principles of Family Medicine and the patient-centred clinical method to undifferentiated problems across the lifespan, using the CFPC's Priority Topics and Key Features as the standard.
432 words, about 2 min02Emergency Medicine: Primary Survey, Red Flags, and Disposition
The Emergency Medicine domain tests the recognition, stabilization, and disposition of urgent and emergent presentations that a family physician may encounter in office, clinic, or hospital settings. The CFPC expects key features for chest pain, dyspnea, abdominal pain, sepsis, trauma, altered mental status, anaphylaxis, and pediatric emergencies.
371 words, about 2 min03Internal Medicine: Chronic Disease, Polypharmacy, and Renal Dosing
The Internal Medicine domain tests common adult medical problems in ambulatory and hospital settings: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, COPD and asthma, anticoagulation, heart failure, and polypharmacy. The exam asks for guideline-concordant decisions that fit the patient's comorbidity and goals, not isolated numbers.
407 words, about 2 min04Pediatrics: Growth, Development, Fever, and Safeguarding
The Pediatrics domain tests well-child care, growth and development, common acute illnesses, immunization, and the recognition of serious illness in infants and children. The CFPC expects a family physician to plot growth, use developmental milestones, apply the Canadian Immunization Guide, and act on red flags without over-investigating.
388 words, about 2 min05Obstetrics and Gynecology: Prenatal Care, Bleeding, and Contraception
The Obstetrics and Gynecology domain tests prenatal care, common gynecologic problems, contraception, menopause, and pregnancy emergencies. The CFPC expects a family physician to risk-stratify pregnancy, recognize ectopic pregnancy and preeclampsia, provide postpartum care, and offer contraception concordant with the Canadian Contraception Consensus.
357 words, about 2 min06Psychiatry: Depression, Suicide Risk, and Bipolar Screening
The Psychiatry domain tests mental health care in primary care: depression, anxiety, substance use, psychosis, suicide risk, delirium, and somatic symptom disorders. The CFPC expects a family physician to screen, assess risk, exclude medical mimics, initiate evidence-based treatment, and arrange follow-up.
369 words, about 2 min