The implementation of unique, active learning tools in post-graduate training
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism - Year 2019, Vol 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Dear Editor I read the prospective study by Patrick et al., The Usefulness of Crossword Puzzle as a Self-Learning Tool in Pharmacology (1), with great interest. “Crossword puzzles provide expansion of vocabulary, stimulate thinking capacity, boost confidence, and fasten up the learning capacity; hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of crossword puzzle as an innovative self-learning tool in pharmacology (1).” The authors’ initial point of contention and hypothesis that drove their study of medical students and their ability to learn organ-based pharmacology is definitively true. I could not agree more that crossword puzzles provide a unique, interactive outlet for active learning: “75.5% of the students had an enjoyable experience and the majority of them agreed that it helped them enhance their knowledge of drugs, remember diseases and drug names, and overall learn about the topic. They were also of the opinion that this should be inculcated in pharmacology curriculum. Incorporation of crossword puzzles, as an adjunct tool, was useful as the majority of the students reported that this improved their attitude of learning, thereby improving their performance (1).” Reading the authors’ study and their positive results compelled me to write this letter as I too have had positive experiences with this active learning tool during my post-graduate medical training as an anesthesiology resident. As a firstyear anesthesiology resident, the learning curve in the operating room was very high and in our free time we were expected to read anesthesiology textbooks in order to learn, memorize, and understand the fundamental concepts of anesthesiology. One of our attending physicians, in lieu of a traditional talking lecture during our weekly resident didactic sessions, instead handed out a crossword puzzle on her assigned topic of “Fundamentals of Obstetric Anesthesiology (2)”. I and my fellow co-residents found that we were able to work through this crossword puzzle in an active and engaging manner that was met with even more interest and excitement given that it was completely different from a more traditional lecture where the teacher would stand in front of the group of learners and speak at length on a specific topic. There was such a positive response that we requested more crossword puzzles on several more important concepts including local anesthetics, volatile anesthetics, intravenous anesthetics, neurological anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, critical care, pain medicine, and operating room safety. Our group of residents had such a great response to doing these crossword puzzles throughout our first year of anesthesiology residency that we felt extremely prepared for our in-training exam and actually implemented the crossword puzzles into the first-year didactic curriculum for subsequent residency classes behind us. I would like to thank the authors for their study and I strongly believe that this is a unique, underutilized active learning tool that can be used at various stages of medical training from premedical courses, to medical school, and through to post-graduate training.
Authors and Affiliations
OMAR VISWANATH
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP667360
- DOI 10.30476/jamp.2019.45017
- Views 78
- Downloads 0
Interdisciplinary and inter-institutional differences in learning preferences among Malaysian medical and health sciences students
Introduction: The learner-centred approach in medical and health sciences education makes the study of learning preferences relevant and important. This study aimed to investigate the interdisciplinary, interinstitutiona...
Assessing patient satisfaction with Sudanese doctors
Dear editor Patients’ satisfaction has long been considered as an important factor when gauging health outcome and quality of care in both developed and developing countries (1) and constitutes a substantial indicator of...
Female role models in medicine: a medical student’s perspective
Dear Editor, The importance of role models in medical education cannot be understated. They allow for professional development, aid in career motivation and inspire and educate through example. Unfortunately, I cannot ad...
Pedagogical mediation using the virtual learning environment and the new generation: A search for improved performance in medical education
Introduction: Medical schools face increasing challenges to accommodate new health care needs. However, little has changed regarding the students’ education. In addition, educators face the challenge of improving their t...
Designing a thesis tele-supervision system for postgraduate medical sciences students
Introduction: Today, progressing science and technology at all domains, including education and research, will bring new opportunities to resolve the communication and interaction problems. The aim of this study was to d...