Karin, and anyone sitting for the exam,
I feel your pain. A written exam, multiple choice yet, on a set of
behaviors and a relationship like breastfeeding, simply has untold limitations. I
have voiced my concerns for years on this. An exam on the science of
lactation is one thing, but breastfeeding is something so much more intuitive,
complex, interrelated and organic. When I sat for my Physical Therapy boards,
there was a written component and a practical component, on its own day,
which involved working through 2-3 different scenarios in front of a panel of
several experienced therapists. There was interaction and if this/then
that kind of stuff, which I think is SO key to how we help mothers and babies
when they are struggling. This must be completely impractical for an
international exam ( my boards were statewide). I've taken the test twice now (
having been IBCLC coming up on 13 years) and I do think the exam has been
improved in several ways, but it will always fail to measure a lot of what
the most compassionate and knowledgeable helpers know and do. I felt like I
had learned so much in the 10 years between sitting it the first and second
times, and my score was only slightly higher the second time. I will leave
you with two ideas: 1. pass, just pass. If you have worked with moms and
babies, and are studying/reading/keeping up with things you should do fine,
and that is all that needs to be done for an exam like this. Your compassion
will not be measured, nor will your true ability to do the needed if
this/then that and the give and take that happens when we work with moms and
babies in crisis. As long as you have those things anyway, you will be a great
help to families and that is what we need: professional competence and
human interrelational caring. Some people who do not have them will pass the
test, and that is sad, but true. Sometimes I know I gave the answer I knew
the test wanted, knowing I would not do that in real life. 2. You are not
alone in your frustration! I know I will be thinking about all the caring,
nervous/anxious/even angry people ( from having to deal with this kind of
exam...:) on Monday and I bet others will be too. May all of you who care so
much and work so hard be able to do what the exam needs to get out there
and follow this calling.
One small caveat: bring socks and a sweater...:) I wore sandals and my feet
were freezing!
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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