Question:
*sigh Rx2019 here disappointed again about IPFC - probably one of my biggest disappointments in life. I passed but I'm not performing as well as I used to. I finished the test confident that I picked the right answers but it turns out I didn't. Any tips for the IPFC 1 final exam and upcoming IPFC 2 course?
Response 1:
Hi Rx2017 here!
I completely feel where you’re coming from. I’ve definitely been there, especially after the first IPFC because you don’t really know what to expect at that point, since it’s the first course in the series. I’ve definitely felt that too, where you come out of the exam thinking that you did well but then getting back a mark that you didn’t expect. What I’ve learned over the years going through these IPFC courses is that the best way to study for them is to test yourself or form a study group and test each other with potential questions. Oftentimes, the professor will emphasize certain slides or concepts in the lectures, or there are certain key concepts that you know are important by going to class (on that note, definitely go to all IPFC classes). If you don’t do well with study groups, then I would finish going through all the notes a day or two before the exam and then after that, in the time you have left, try to think of potential questions that could be asked (including ‘select all that apply’ style questions) and then try answering them without looking at your notes. Make sure some, if not the majority of the questions are case-based or ‘mini-case’ style. So for example, you can think of specific patient scenarios and what drug you would initiate them on, depending on their specific patient factors, etc., or what drug you would add on if the patient has progressed in the disease or has a contraindication to another drug, etc. Or you could do this in partners too, maybe you and your roommate or friend can quiz each other and make up these kinds of scenarios. I found that this really helped me and in fact even group studying really helped me as well.
Other than that, I also want to say that we all come into pharmacy school with high expectations from ourselves and that’s totally fine but let me tell you that marks in pharmacy school, (ESPECIALLY IPFC courses) do not reflect your ability as a pharmacy student/future pharmacist so please don’t let this bring you down. It’s all about efficient studying and hopefully, if you follow the tips I gave, you will do well in the coming IPFC exams. Good luck and feel free to pop back in if you have further concerns!
Response 2:
Hi Rx2017 here currently studying for IPFC 7. I just wanted to share some insights I’ve had regarding the IPFC course over the years:
1. Your IPFC marks do not necessarily correlate to your skill as a pharmacist/pharmacy student!
While of course it is important to pass IPFC I would definitely not focus on your mark as a reflection of your value as a student. Just because you haven’t memorized every single drug interaction for a drug doesn’t mean you aren’t able to easily look it up on Lexicomp or e-CPS in real-life practice. What’s more important is understanding the broad concepts and you will be fine in practice regardless of your marks.
2. It is a very different type of testing that favors memorization
Personally, I found IPFC to be nothing like any of the undergraduate science courses I took before pharmacy school. If you find that your current studying habits have been ineffective over the past few midterms, I would HIGHLY SUGGEST trying out different study techniques. For example, group studying and quizzing each other is a great way to solidify knowledge that would otherwise be easily forgotten. Before pharmacy school I never really took my much notes in class, but I found that for IPFC it is really important to attend class and if you missed something perhaps to re-listen to a recording of the lecture (this may not be be the case for everyone, but it works for me). Some of my colleagues also read the lectures and make notes before coming to class so that they have a better grasp of the material during the lecture and can ask clarifying questions. While memorizing I like to make wacky acronyms to memorize lists. Overall, there probably isn’t a single best way to study for IPFC so you will have to try a bunch of different techniques until you figure out what works best for you.
3. IPFC gets easier overtime
After a couple of IPFC courses, you will likely have gotten used to what works for you and what doesn’t for the most part. Comparing IPFC 1 and 2 to future courses like IPFC 5 and 6, averages were much higher in the latter courses. As with anything new in life there is always a learning curve, but if you work at it you should be fine! The reality is, IPFC is difficult, but it is a challenge we must overcome to become great pharmacists in the future. Even with myself, I still find IPFC to be a difficult course, but the beauty of it is that you are struggling together with everyone in the class, so you are never really alone. Best of luck with the final and with IPFC 2!
-Vince, Rx2017