So I am a TA for therapeutics-I this semester and I've been asked to put together a presentation for the first day of class that includes the "top 10 study tips for therapeutics"
Study in groups, read the chapter ahead of time, don't cram, etc.....I was wondering if anyone here has any unique suggestions that can help these newbies out?
Sorry for the Delay - Hope this helps someone down the line
Top 10 Therapeutics Study Tips
Pearls to help student pharmacists succeed in the 2nd half of pharmacy school
Objectives of this presentation
Prepare student pharmacists for the ever changing world of Therapeutics
Offer methods and advice for success in pharmacy school and beyond
#10 – Prepare BEFORE Class
Therapeutics lectures build upon your knowledge base exponentially
- Cases, Required/Recommended Reading, Rotation/Work Experience will be utilized to help understand the topic
link to image:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1qfco907d87a5bq/Preparation Knowledge Curve.jpg?m
#9 –Objectives Are Guides
Students too often overlook the ‘Objectives' of a lecture - Use them as a guide to your studying
Be able to meet all objectives of an individual lecture well before an exam
Some lectures have shorter turnaround times - Prepare yourself
#8 – Reviewing Materials
Highly recommend reviewing slides and notes before exams
If lecturers will allow it, record lectures and listen to them at 2x speed while going over slides
#7 – Relate Material to Patients
Phenomenal way to learn - John Doe, my pheochromocytosis patient
Patients don't have A, B, C or D options
Cases help simulate this learning
- Take them seriously – they will be real pts
- Certainly compare with classmates after the case is due – Don't Plagiarize
#6 – My RPh Said This (or I work with Dr [blank] and they said that what we learned is totally wrong!)
Strongly encourage students to discuss topics taught in class with pharmacists they know…
CAVEAT! Consider the different practice sites, experiences, and clinical perspectives of both the lecturer and your pharmacist
#5 – Go Over It Twice
You go over everything twice in pharmacy school - Pharm Sci / Med Chem / Pharmacology, etc
The next time you go over Therapeutics it will be on rotation with patients
Students are well served to learn and understand the material vs. cramming and regurgitating
Most HealthCare Professionals can read – if all you do is quote Lexi-Comp to them you won't get very far
#4 – Flexibility and Curiosity
Adjust – Different lecturers each module with their own unique style, goals, experience, et cetera
Adapt – Know your own learning style and approach to studying, then apply that to different modules
Ask Questions! Lecturers and TA are here to facilitate your learning
Utilize those resources while you can! Modules are interesting and useful – will help you narrow down what you find interesting (+ rotations)
#3 – Make Your Own Test
Writing effective test questions is an art; try it out for yourself
Useful test questions require application of knowledge
‘Pimp' each other - See articles for the medical definition of ‘pimping'
Brancati, The Art of Pimping, JAMA 1989
http://goo.gl/inh2P
Detsky, The Art of Pimping, JAMA 2009
http://goo.gl/w1dwY
#2 – See The Big Picture
This includes looking at the whole patient, both on exams and rotations
SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
FARM (Findings, Assessment, Recommendations, Monitoring)
Don't Grade Grub - You can learn a lot from a module and score in the 70-80%
#1 – Group Study
Study, at least part of the time, in groups
Allows everyone to ‘work through' problems - Fills in blanks
A wide range of intern practice sites is preferred, Share your test questions (Tip #3)
Synergistic Effects - Teaching and Learning from each other
GOOD LUCK!
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