BCPS stress!

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Cocogirl

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Hi,

I'm currently studying for the BCPS and getting pretty stressed out. There are so many details in the review book on each topic - I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep it all straight in the exam.

To those who took it (and passed!), in how much detail did you memorize the material in each clinical section? Eg. did you know doses for each drug and ranges? For things like HIV opp infections - did you know 1st/2nd and 3rd line therapies?

Is the test detailed in terms of testing doses?

Just a logistical question - do they always give you generic names of drugs in the questions, or do they ask brand names too?

I'm barely going to make it through the review binder once through before the test and I'm worried that it's not going to be enough studying. I'm so far out from graduating school now that some of this material seems like ancient history. Don't even get me started on pharmacokinetics!

Please help!! :eek:
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Cocogirl said:
Hi,

I'm currently studying for the BCPS and getting pretty stressed out. There are so many details in the review book on each topic - I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep it all straight in the exam.

To those who took it (and passed!), in how much detail did you memorize the material in each clinical section? Eg. did you know doses for each drug and ranges? For things like HIV opp infections - did you know 1st/2nd and 3rd line therapies?

Is the test detailed in terms of testing doses?

Just a logistical question - do they always give you generic names of drugs in the questions, or do they ask brand names too?

I'm barely going to make it through the review binder once through before the test and I'm worried that it's not going to be enough studying. I'm so far out from graduating school now that some of this material seems like ancient history. Don't even get me started on pharmacokinetics!

Please help!! :eek:
Click to expand...


I'm not BCPS certified...nor will I be. But we had to know 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line therapies for many different infections in antimicrobial, therapeutics, and 4th year rotation.
 
I took the exam a few years ago. That note binder is really pretty good. I passed the test. Just keep on trucking with it. Good clinical experience really helps on the exam- if the notes are really a bunch of new material to you, I'm afraid you might find the exam a little tough. From what I remember, ID and IM were tested fairly heavily. The pharmacokinetics weren't hard- they didn't ask anything that the notes didn't cover. I also used some of those Medical Letter Treatment Guideline articles to selectively bone up on a few topics. The JCAHO stuff took me by surprise. I didn't do so well on that domain. I don't remember specifically if they asked about brand names. They do ask about some doses. Best of luck!
 
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Do they test you on herbals at all? It's not really in the review book so I'm hoping not.

Also, are all the biostats and jcaho questions interspersed throughout or are they in different sections?

It's not that I've never seen the stuff before but a lot of things that I haven't seen a lot of - oncology, Parkinsons, RA etc... so guidelines have either faded in my memory or changed altogether. It's a great way to review everything for sure - but highly stressful nonetheless! :(

Thanks for the help!

PS - what did you use to prepare for biostats? I heard the review book is not enough prep and that questions on the exam are tougher than what you see in the book.
 
If you're so anxious with regards to what to know there's quite an obvious solution - dedicate more time and learn all of it.

Are you going to be upset as a pharmacist if you learned oncology therapies but a random test didn't ask a proportionate amount of MC questions? It's all relevant.
 
Cocogirl said:
Do they test you on herbals at all? It's not really in the review book so I'm hoping not.

Also, are all the biostats and jcaho questions interspersed throughout or are they in different sections?

It's not that I've never seen the stuff before but a lot of things that I haven't seen a lot of - oncology, Parkinsons, RA etc... so guidelines have either faded in my memory or changed altogether. It's a great way to review everything for sure - but highly stressful nonetheless! :(

Thanks for the help!

PS - what did you use to prepare for biostats? I heard the review book is not enough prep and that questions on the exam are tougher than what you see in the book.
Click to expand...

No herbals that I remember...
The stat's questions were interspersed throughout.
There seemed to be a seperate JCAHO/regulatory section. If you read and understand the medication management section of the CAMH you'll be much better prepared than I was.

I thought the review book was just fine for the stats questions. The mostly ask you to interpret p values and confidence intervals. They also seem to ask about which types of statistical tests are appropriate for various kinds of data. It should be in the notes.

Epic said:
I'm not BCPS certified...nor will I be. But we had to know 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line therapies for many different infections in antimicrobial, therapeutics, and 4th year rotation.
Click to expand...

Good for you. Not helpful.

Requiem said:
If you're so anxious with regards to what to know there's quite an obvious solution - dedicate more time and learn all of it.

Are you going to be upset as a pharmacist if you learned oncology therapies but a random test didn't ask a proportionate amount of MC questions? It's all relevant.
Click to expand...

Also not helpful. This isn't a random test. There is a seperate oncology exam for those who wish to become board certified in that area. "learning all of it" is commendable if you can pull it off, but not necessary in this case.
 
Requiem said:
If you're so anxious with regards to what to know there's quite an obvious solution - dedicate more time and learn all of it.

Are you going to be upset as a pharmacist if you learned oncology therapies but a random test didn't ask a proportionate amount of MC questions? It's all relevant.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the condescending reply. :thumbdown: I came here looking for some advice on where to focus while studying and support.

I am obviously dedicated to lifelong learning in our profession and realize that knowlege gained is never wasted.

But there is a difference between self-education as a part of your career and studying for a test. Not the least of which is that studying for a test has a deadline and a great deal of stress associated with it! "Learn all of it" is a quite a feat to accomplish, especially as you begin to specialize in your career and see less of certain things.
 
I thought the review book was just fine for the stats questions. The mostly ask you to interpret p values and confidence intervals. They also seem to ask about which types of statistical tests are appropriate for various kinds of data. It should be in the notes.

PharmD2MD - thanks so much for your help - I really appreciate it!

The biostats section in the review book is not too bad - will try some practice questions. Biostats is supposed to be 30% of the entire exam with regulatory/pharmacoeconomics etc making up another 15%. I will review the sections you suggested.

Thanks again!
 
CocoGirl

Did you go to the ACCP review seminar?

If so was it useful or was it a waste of time....did you just buy the review manual?


thanks
 
I went to the review course last year (but didn't take the exam that year as I was in the midst of a residency). The review course I felt was kind of a waste of time. I wouldn't bother - just read the study materials they give you. (you can buy them online). They are very comprehensive and self-explanatory.

Just leave yourself enough time to study! There is a ton of information to know. I've been in a time crunch since I finished residency in July and then had family obligations so didn't start studying earnestly till beginning of Sept.

I should have more advice if I pass! If not, I'll be right there with you taking it next year :eek:
 
So whatever happened? did you pass?

Currently i am doing a residency and studying for the test this october, just curious if it was a bad as you thought it was going to be. Did you listen to any of the audio CDs to help study and if so were they useful?
 
Anyone else who has taken the BCPS test in the past couple of years (and passed....or failed) have any insight to add? If so lets hear it.
 
FruitFly said:
What's BCPS and why u stressing?

Redirecting to the Residency forum where the enlightened folks go...
Click to expand...

Check out bpsweb.org for more info

BCPS stands for board certified pharmacotherapy specialist. Basically a lot of folks have bought into the ideas of the Pharmaceutical Specialties Board which is an independent group that provides testing for certification in a couple subspecialties (psych, nutrition, nuclear, pharmacotherapy, cardiac)

The test is designed to determine if one meets minimum competency in the specialty they test in (usually an area the RPh practices in). From what I can gather the test is not simple and requires knowledge of specific pharmacotherapy guidelines, doses, medications, stats, disease states etc. Basically like the naplex but much more specific.

Anyhow many employers in the hospital or gov't setting will pay more if you are board certified.
 
Parsox said:
Nothing wrong with educating oneself especially if it nets you more pay
Click to expand...

of the hospitals I've seen (although, n=5 here) they don't pay more for BCPS.

I think that's a shame but whatever.
 
Parsox said:
I hear ya...no pay raise = no reason to get BCPS...JMO
Click to expand...

I think it's worth it regardless. Just like how a residency doesn't always get you all that much more pay. It's a test of knowledge and you are required to maintain (either retake the test every couple years or do their required CE's).

I think it shows a professional dedication and helps to keep you on top of the game.
 
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