Trick Interview

[Mapi]

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I have an interview soon and I was wondering how some of you answered the " Why not Medicine?" question without sounding too closed minded about medicine. I have not volunteered/worked in a hospital and so I cannot compare my pharmacy experience with it - and also - if you were a drug what drug would you be and why ? thanks a lot

 

[goheel]

I have an interview soon and I was wondering how some of you answered the " Why not Medicine?" question without sounding too closed minded about medicine.

2 words, malpractice insurance. Sorry for being closeminded. 😉

 

[pharm13oy]

I have an interview soon and I was wondering how some of you answered the " Why not Medicine?" question without sounding too closed minded about medicine. I have not volunteered/worked in a hospital and so I cannot compare my pharmacy experience with it - and also - if you were a drug what drug would you be and why ? thanks a lot

a good way to answer that question is to say that you feel that as a pharmacist...you can be more involved with patient care in monitoring medication compliance, drug interactions, DURs (drug utilization reviews), and any other medical questions your patients have that were too afraid to ask the doctor. Pharmacy is a very well-respected profession, and you feel privileged to help patients in any way you can. That's what I said on my interview...and it seemed to impress them. i got in. 🙂

GOOD LUCK on your interview!!!

 

[Mapi]

Thanks goheel for being very honest - I will try not to say that.

 

[Mapi]

Thanks a lot Pharm13 - that was very smart - I have some idead now - Thanks again

 

[pharm13oy]

Thanks a lot Pharm13 - that was very smart - I have some idead now - Thanks again

you're welcome. just don't sweat the interview. just be yourself. that's what they are looking for. i'm sure they've been through enough interviews to spot the fakes. so just be yourself.

 

[endlesslove]

here's my unique answer (or at least my TA thought it was pretty unique):

I see MDs as more of problem IDENTIFIERS and pharmacists as more of problem SOLVERS and therefore, pharmacy is a good fit for who I am. I am someone who welcomes challenges and enjoys solving problems.

MDs identify what's wrong with a patient and diagnose them with such and such a disease and then prescribe a medication. Okay, but MDs have had only 1 semester of pharmacology. On the other hand, pharmacists have had 4 years of study on medicine, so they are the true drug experts. They are the true "problem solvers" because they make sure the 1-semester-of-pharmacology-MD accurately prescribes the medication as well as the dosage of the medication based on the patient's weight. Without pharmacists, there'd be a lot more problems...

 

[dgroulx]

I was honest and told them that I didn't want to be woken up at 2am. I also said that I am too old to stay up for 48 hours straight anymore. They laughed and agreed with me.

 

[Caverject]

I have an interview soon and I was wondering how some of you answered the " Why not Medicine?" question without sounding too closed minded about medicine. I have not volunteered/worked in a hospital and so I cannot compare my pharmacy experience with it - and also - if you were a drug what drug would you be and why ? thanks a lot

I was asked that question. I said because I don't want the responsibilities of a doctor. D'OH!! Don't say that!!

 

[touchfish]

I have an interview soon and I was wondering how some of you answered the " Why not Medicine?" question without sounding too closed minded about medicine. I have not volunteered/worked in a hospital and so I cannot compare my pharmacy experience with it - and also - if you were a drug what drug would you be and why ? thanks a lot

I told the interviewer that being a phamacist will allow me to find a balance between my career and life... 🙂

 

[irvinekatie]

Since I also have a trick question I'd like to ask everyone, I thought I'd post it in this same thread. I hope it's all right. The questions is: What is a negative aspect or disadvantage of being a pharmacist and what would you do to change it? Thanks!

 

[pharm13oy]

Since I also have a trick question I'd like to ask everyone, I thought I'd post it in this same thread. I hope it's all right. The questions is: What is a negative aspect or disadvantage of being a pharmacist and what would you do to change it? Thanks!

This is actually a good question. I feel that the most negative aspect of pharmacy itself is that we are first in line for the patients to complain to when their insurance copays go up each year. Don't be discouraged by their actions...they normally don't receive any notice about changes of that nature. The insurance companies usually rely on the pharmacists to inform the patients of any changes. The only way to change this is to educate the patients. We have to educate them on being more aware of and proactive with their coverage. They have to know that changes are made all the time, and most times...the beginning of the year is a good starting point for changes.

The baby boomers are starting to retire now...so things will only get worse. Educate the patients on what they need to know, to make your work easier. Be compassionate with them. It's so easy these days to be abrasive which only makes matters worse. Good luck everyone!!!

 

[forever27]

Since I also have a trick question I'd like to ask everyone, I thought I'd post it in this same thread. I hope it's all right. The questions is: What is a negative aspect or disadvantage of being a pharmacist and what would you do to change it? Thanks!

I am preparing the same question 🙂
I want to say that is pharmacist should be allowed more authority in patient care instead of the passively filling prescription. I will actively coorperate and discuss with other health team members like physicians to show the importance of the pharmacist, and luckly pharmacist duty is moving towards this direction.