Usually groups of 5 to 10 participants study a PEP book together.This is preferable to studying alone.The group elects a leader who orders the books and arranges a study meeting about every 2 weeks.The time and venue is decided by the group and permission for the meeting is obtained from the local health care authorities.The meetings are usually held during working hours and the group leader is not paid for the additional responsibility.The material from one chapter at a time is studied by each participant at home. At the meeting the contents of the chapter are discussed and clinical skills practiced thus introducing the concept of peer tuition.Members assist and encourage one another in a spirit of co-operative learning. Local mentors can add value to the study group meetings.

Participants complete and mark their own multiple choice tests before and after each chapter is studied.The pretest draws attention to areas of knowledge to be learned while the post test assesses progress and indicates the sections which still need further attention. Self-assessment allows the participants to monitor their own progress through the PEP course. Tests and correct answers are given at the end of each book.

The group leader invites an appropriate medical or nursing colleague to demonstrate the clinical skills at the group meeting.Each participant carefully reads the step-by-step instructions in the skills workshop beforehand.In this way, local resource personnel are encouraged to share their skills and become involved in the course.

On completion of each book a paper-based multiple-choice examination is offered in South Africa by the Perinatal Education Trust. The examination is supervised by a responsible person selected by the group leader. A certificate is issued to each successful candidate by the Trust. The certificate states that the course has been completed successfully.

Alternatively, the exam can be taken online at http://exam.ebwhealthcare.com

It is strongly recommended that participants buy their own books. If a sponsor is available, retrospective bursaries can be awarded to participants who successfully complete the examination.

Retrospective bursaries, which refund the cost of the books to participants who successfully pass the examination on completion of each course in South Africa, can be applied for through the Perinatal Education Trust if the books were bought from the Trust and paid for by the participants themselves. The participants are not paid to study the PEP books.

500 retrospective bursaries have been awarded by PEP between 2007 and 2009.