Why first timers pass OSCE ?
Hi there
I failed my first attempt for OSCE in May 09 and I don't understand why.I am waiting for the feed back and also I have 2 friends which passed first time without additional courses.I am in the situation now to evaluate that even with a lot of financial sacrificies it seems that others are smarter than me(or they know something I don't !!).I now understand how stupid I can be to imagine that this exam can be objective.I met pharmacists which they do not know anything about this exam or even they don't speak English well, but they are here before 2000 and they are very ok.
How to learn about counseling if we cannot hear a pharmacist doing this.And daily counseling doesn't follow the rigorous rules inside the exam.Since I came here I spent a lot of money and my expectations of being a pharmacist are like a very far beautiful dream.Wish you all to have the power and hope to be able to pass over these hell times !! Because for me they are hell of a time-no job , kids to educate and only promises.Thank you.
Thank you Ranash for your message.Sorry to hear about your situation.It seems that you cannot take decisions in a fast way here,we must calculate very well every step.I took a preparatory course in Scarb. but it wasn't enough.I passed MCQ last year.I prepare now for OSCE in Nov.09.Wish you all the best of luck !
I need the feedback for my exam too; how do you apply for it? Is there any thing else that we can request to understand our weak areas?
Hi ,
I wrote few lines about my request and that's it.Within 6 weeks we must receive the evaluation.
Is only a very vague evaluation which do not show what you did good and what you did bad.Is the only way to have a feed-back.
All the best !
Hi Tilia and Ranash,
Sorry to hear about your troubles passing the OSCE xam. It can undoubtedly be quite tough. First thing I suggest you do is start a study group. Use the site to try and find other PEBC exam takers near you and role play with them, discuss scenarios and appropriate counselling. IF no on is geographically close then download something like SKype to you computer and video call eachother.
My next suggestion involves money, which we know is all too hard to come by and so easily spent! I know of two OSCE preparation courses, the first is run by Paul AGro at AgroHealth e-mail and then Mentors Pharmacy Review you can e-mail them at
After that my final suggestion is do not lose heart. Keep studying, keep asking questions on the site and practice, practice, practice with whoever you can.
We will do our best to help you here at pharmacyintern :)
Mat 
(siteadmin)
Thanks Mat,
You are perfectly right about the practice part. Now that I reflect back, I think I spoke too fast as I was nervous and repeated myself.
The courses would be a great idea except that they are not on line.
Skype is a great idea, Tilia, would you be interested, we could prepare 2-3 chapters daily and probably practice them together half an hour everyday. This will be a motivation for us to keep up with the planned pace and help each other with the difficult parts.
Matt, I have only come across one home study guide by Misbah Biabani, but its so expensive about $740; would you know if anyone who has passed the exam is willing to sell their copy or if its even worthy?
Thanks again again for the consolation!
Hi Ranash (and Mat):
Many thanks for your endorsement Mat for our course. Ranash, I am sorry to hear that you failed your OSCE exams. There is no question that these exams are not easy to pass.
To answer your concern, Ranash, our OSCE preparatory course is not online since it would not simulate the OSCE effectively. We have thought about putting parts of the course online but it would be very difficult to capture the same effect as the actual exams.
Here is some advice in addition to Mat's advice:
- Try to find an understanding licensed pharmacist that will mentor you for several weeks. You might even have to volunteer to do this. You must understand the concept of pharmaceutical care and good communication; you cannot learn these out of a book, but must practice them actively.
- A study group is a good idea, however you should have someone who is experienced lead the group, otherwise it would be like "the blind leading the blind". This person should probably be someone who has completed the exams and is now licensed. Preferably a Canadian graduate who understands the concepts of pharmaceutical care (patient care), communication, etc.
- The concept of OSCE is relatively easy: you are presented with a problem and you must solve it in 7 minutes. The problem might be a therapeutic problem or it might be a communication problem. You might also have an ethical problem (for example, a teenager wanting to purchase Plan B). The problems that are presented are no different than what you would encounter in an average Canadian pharmacy every day. There are many clues you must use to help you solve the problem: the patient, what the patient says, the medication record, etc.
- Please see my other advice tips on previous blogs.
Hope that helps.
Paul
Thank you Paul for your concern and experienced advice. The pharmacy I worked at concentrated more on the time to fill the prescription as they were generally understaffed. If I am to select a pharmacy to volunteer which one would you suggest, I mean which one follows the OSCE pattern for counselling?
By the way, Paul, do we refuse a teenager plan B?
Thanks again
Hi Mat,
Everyone says, "follow the format for counselling", since I have not attended canadian university, can I kindly ask you to list out all the things being assessed. Like, does introduction carry marks or informing about confidenciality?
Hi Ranash:
There is one other very important thing to consider when counselling patients in a pharmacy (I forgot to mention this previously). You MUST BE PREPARED TO USE YOUR PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT. I cannot emphasis this enough. Nothing in pharmacy practice is 'black' or 'white' and there are many times a day where you will have to use your professional judgement. This is why you are considered a Health Professional when you are licensed.
In our OSCE preparatory course, I always tell the IPG's that you must always consider what is in the best interest of the patient. If you think in these terms you will probably make the right decision.
To answer your question about Plan B: Ask yourself the question: What is in the best interest of the patient (not your religious beliefs and not your pharmacy business!). If the answer is 'the PATIENT', then you should offer to sell Plan B.
THE PATIENT IS CENTRAL to any decision you make. This will definitely be tested at the OSCE. They want to make certain you can make decisions in spite of the law.
Always ask yourself: WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PATIENT? This will help you to make difficult decisions.
Hope that advice helps,
Paul
Hi Ranash,
Tell me your phone number and I will try to contact you.Regards !!
Hi guys for your privacy probably best to exchange e-mail adresses and phone numbers via the sites internal e-mail system, so only you two can see it.
<--- Look to the left of the forum post from the user you want to e-mail and you will see the username. Below that you should see an envelope icon. Click on that to send the user an e-mail through the site.
Alternatively you can click on the users name and be taken to their user profile. At the top of the user profile click contact.
Mat :)
Hi Tilia,
Have you received the feedback of the May OSCE? I haven't yet, does it come by post or email? Regards
Hi Tilia,
Please check your mail; I have send you my phone number.
I failed my first attempt of OSCE this May too; have you passed the MCQ? It was a tough exam. Don't lose heart; we will give it another try again in the winter with more preparation; I know the $1475 is too much. I am in the same boat as you, also with kids.I had a recruiting manager of a pharmacy chain promise me internship even if I passed or failed, I quit the job as tech that I was doing for the intership and then she backed off now that I failed the OSCE's. I am jobless now with a family and I have to earn enough to pay the $1475 fees.
Would you suggest of any courses, like Misbah's etc, to help prepare for the next exam.
Have hope and faith, all will be OK.