Study Techniques for Retaining Medical Information

Study Techniques for Retaining Medical Information

Going into the medical field requires the absorption and mastery of a tremendous amount of information. However, there are so many different study techniques in order to do this that it can oftentimes feel overwhelming. If you’re reading this article then you most likely have the same goal as me: you want to be a doctor. In order to do that, taking medical related courses is a must. For instance, I am currently in my highschool’s medical terminology course. Throughout this course, I have experimented with various techniques proven to improve how we efficiently retain complex medical subjects and retain them in our long term memories. I may not have as much experience in using these methods as most people, however, they are backed up by cognitive psychology and neuroscience research, and can significantly change the way you recall medical information. 

1. Active Recall

Overall, one of the most widely recommended study techniques is active recall. Passive recall, such as reading your textbook and highlighting information, allows you to simply view information. Most of what you read won’t be retained in this way. To retain what you read, use active recall, such as flashcards and practice quizzes. This technique is best used for subjects that require you to memorize precise information, such as pathology, anatomy, and biology. Unlike passive methods, active recall forces you to retrieve information from your memory. By forcing your brain to do this, you are training it to remember information for a long period of time. Additionally, this method is proven to strengthen the neural pathways that are associated with information gathering and retention. Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University, explains this concept. To summarize, he says that by retrieving information from memory, you can not only improve the memory of the concept itself, but also make sure that you won’t forget this information in a long time by reinforcing the connection between your brain and the material you are trying to master. 

2. Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a technique that can work with active recall to enhance your learning and optimize retention. This method involves separating material into how well you understand it, and then using that to know how often you should review those concepts. As a student studying medicine, I often feel overwhelmed by the volume of material I have to memorize for my classes. This is why I use digital tools such as Quizlet and Anki. These websites assist in making digital flashcards that use spaced repetition to ensure that you revisit concepts that are challenging for you, reinforcing your understanding of the material. Time and time again, studies have shown that people who use spaced repetition do better on tests and are able to keep more information in their long-term memory compared to someone who doesn’t use this technique. Dr. Robert A. Bjork, a cognitive psychologist at UCLA, explores this concept, and he claims that this method enhances the brain’s learning curve, making sure that you review material before you're about to forget it. 

3. Interleaving

Another method that medical students can use is called interleaving. Interleaving incorporates studying different topics during a single study session, rather than focusing on one subject for a long period of time. Dr. John Dunlosky, a professor of psychology at Kent State University, says that this studying technique forces your brain to see the connections between various topics, which allows you to recall them with more ease" For instance, say you have to study anatomy and pathology in one day. Instead of studying anatomy for an hour and pathology for an hour, this method suggests alternating between these topics. This way you can study the digestive system for half an hour, then switch to respiratory system anatomy for another half an hour, and then switch again to digestive system diseases. By using this method, the brain can build connections between all these different topics and constantly adapt. Being able to adapt is a necessary skill in the medical field and interconnecting different ideas is vital for making diagnosis and planning out treatment options. 

4. Visualization and Mnemonics

Most people are visual learners. This means that they use their eyes to learn best, rather than hands-on activities or listening. As for a student learning medicine, much of what we learn involves memorizing complex information, such as anatomical structures and medical procedures. Visualization and mnemonics are powerful techniques that can help organize and simplify this information in our brains, making it easier to remember and understand. Dr. Timothy J. McDonald, a cognitive scientist with a valued opinion on this topic, states that by relating complex concepts with images or memorable phrases, you’re more likely to remember that information." Visualization is creating pictures in our brain to imagine what different things look like and how they all relate to each other. This can be especially useful in specialties such as surgery, where creating mental images of an annotated diagram with different colors can be useful. Mnemonic devices are also useful in reinforcing your memory. For example, using the acronym "ABC" for airway, breathing, and circulation during trauma resuscitation, can be useful. The brain usually prefers visual and organized information, so these methods take advantage of that.

5. Concept Mapping

Concept mapping is another effective tool for organizing large amounts of interconnected information. This involves creating a visual representation of key concepts and how they are related. By doing this, you can clarify complex material and improve your understanding of the concept. Dr. Jennifer E. McReynolds, a professor in medical education, has studied this method of learning and has concluded that concept maps help medical students see the connections between ideas, which is crucial, especially in understanding how different physiological processes and disease mechanisms correlate with each other. Many medical topics are interrelated, such as pathophysiology and pharmacology, where many interconnected concepts, like symptoms, treatments, and the underlying biological mechanisms, need to be understood. These maps can help you understand how the body systems work together or how disease progresses. They are an excellent means of review.

6. Teaching Others

Teaching is a well-known method of studying, just like active recall and spaced repetition. To use this method, you could organize group study sessions to teach topics to your classmates, underclassmen, or even non-medical friends. When you use this method, you might realize that you may need a greater understanding in a particular area, so this can solidify your understanding. Another advantage in using this technique is that it improves your ability to communicate complex medical information clearly, which is a crucial skill for future doctors.

7. Consistent Persistence and Time Management

Medical students have many demands, and without time management, it is nearly impossible to retain the information they need to succeed. I have created another article that talks about time management for highschool freshman, however, even if you are not a highschool freshman, you can use the same techniques on a greater scale to help you gain the information you need. If you would like to read that article, it will be available on the blog. The top three main points of that previous article are using digital tools to assist you in planning, having a daily structure to reduce procrastination,and breaking up study sessions into more focused periods to reduce anxiety and stress. 

Studying to become a doctor is hard, stressful, and a whole lot of work. But always remember why you started. You wanted to make yourself proud didn’t you? That’s why you continue even when it’s hard and nothing makes sense and you just want to give up. Remember that failing hurts more than long hours of work. When you say that you passed on the first attempt, it will all be worth it. You’re not going to regret studying. You’re going to make it to the top. You got this!

Conclusion

Studying for medical exams is not only about the content you are learning, but how efficiently you are learning it is just as important. By incorporating certain, scientifically proven methods, such as active recall, spaced repetition, interleaving, visualization, concepting mapping, and teaching others you can not only improve your retention, but also ensure that what you learn stays with you long-term. Medicine is an intricate field and studying to become a doctor is a long, arduous, and worthwhile process. These studying techniques can hopefully make that journey a little bit less stressful and easier. 

Sources:

“How to Learn (and Retain) New Information” – Stanford Medicine -

https://med.stanford.edu/

“Spaced Repetition and Cognitive Science” – UCLA Cognitive Psychology –https://www.psych.ucla.edu/

“The Benefits of Interleaving in Learning” – Psychology Today –https://www.psychologytoday.com/

“Using Mnemonics for Memory Enhancement in Medicine” – National Library of Medicine –https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

“Teaching as a Learning Tool” – ResearchGate –https://www.researchgate.net/

“Time Management and Retention in Medical Education” – Journal of Medical Education –https://journals.sagepub.com/

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