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Lactation Information and Discussion

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Subject:
From:
"Joanna Koch, Ibclc" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 4 Aug 1996 16:35:33 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
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1.  No matter what the exam requires of us there will still be less competent
people in the field.  This is true of any profession.   Some people are good
exam takers and, when I took the 94 exam,  it seemed to me that an in-depth
knowledge of breastfeeding PRACTICE was not needed to pass.  But then what
are we going to do??  Turn it into essay responses to case situations?  I
don't think so!

2.  Given the apparent difficulty in devising a test that truly guarantees
competence it would seem that the screening process is actually the more
important element.  The weak element now is the "iffy" claims to the
necessary hours of experience.  Would it help to require the organizations in
which the applicant claims to have received the experience to formally
document how the hours were achieved?  It seems this is now being handled on
the honor system and, per the Lactnet input, this may be backfiring.

3.  I'm not sure about the suggestion of having an expert-level exam -- I
think we need one exam that certifies a basic level of competence and
consistency of approach.

4.  I also wonder about the pass %.  Do I recall correctly that it is in the
60's? Being able to answer one in three questions incorrectly certainly takes
the anxiety out of exam-taking but what does it say about competence?

5.  I whole-heartedly agree with the suggestion that the exam not test one's
ability to memorize those items that can be QUICKLY accessed in reference
books.  However, the exam should make sure you can (in your sleep!) tell
plugged ducts from mastitis, treat overproduction/underproduction,
distinguish between primary and secondary lactation failures and so on and so
on.

6.  Is the problem (if there is a problem) stemming from a change in the
applicant base over the years?  Were the original applicants predominantly
drawn from the various volunteer organizations (which implies a certain
devotion to breastfeeding and knowledge thereof)?  Are more of the current
applicants interested in the certification just as an addition to other
skills?

6.  The test can and should confirm theoretical skills.  The experience
required to take the test hopefully confirms an applicant's ability to apply
the theory.  If indeed applicants are successfully bypassing the necessary
experience then the qualification will be weakened.

I consider myself fortunate to be in a community well-stocked with competent
IBCLC's with a great deal of experience.  I am one of the newcomers with a
vested interest in maintaining the value of this certification.

Joanna Koch, IBCLC (and very proud of it!)

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