What skills should you develop during premed?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

canmed96

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Hi guys, i'm way into self-development books and stuff like that and i was wondering what skills can you develop early on that will help you as a med school student or even as a doctor? And perhaps the means by which you would develop them?

I just feel like so far, i'm "learning" a bunch of stuff, writing the test and then forgetting it all.

Thanks

Members don't see this ad.
 
Learn both how and when to work, but also when to play. Never forget time for yourself, even if it's just 30 minutes in a day.
Learn how to better understand people and make relationships with them.
Don't be a suck up. Period. Get things the old fashioned way--by earning them. I promise it pays off.
Don't get stuck in the trap of just learning things to perform on a test. This is probably the hardest habit to break because it takes the most time and effort for some. Really give studying your all, but don't simply look at the information and hope it sticks.

Most importantly, stay motivated. No matter how you do it, it has to happen. Whether it's reading one of Gawande's classic books (look up Atul Gawande), projecting yourself onto the life-saving big shot surgeon on even the goofiest of medical TV shows, or getting first-hand accounts from shadowing, we all need to be reminded why we study what we study in undergrad, at times.

Finally, here is a video that honestly kept me going through undergrad when times were tough. While it's really just one giant advertisement for Loma Linda U, I think it also shows that every bit of med school is attainable if you work the right way. Enjoy friend, and best of luck

P.S. Check out DocOssareh on Youtube, he's got some great advice and makes things seem more manageable no matter what stage you are at. https://www.youtube.com/user/DocOssareh
 
Members don't see this ad :)
what skills can you develop early on that will help you as a med school student or even as a doctor?
The ability to miraculously pull out fantastic grades in all your classes and standardized exams.

Or, if you're really feeling ambitious, the ability to expediently navigate the world of corporate healthcare finance and medical insurance.
 
In no particular order except the order that they came to mind

1. Test taking
2. Efficient studying (i.e. work smart)
3. Time management
4. Organization skills
5. People skills
6. Using and interpreting statistics
7. De-stressing safely and effectively
8. Fast active reading
 
Hi guys, i'm way into self-development books and stuff like that and i was wondering what skills can you develop early on that will help you as a med school student or even as a doctor? And perhaps the means by which you would develop them?

I just feel like so far, i'm "learning" a bunch of stuff, writing the test and then forgetting it all.

Thanks

Thick skin
 
After reading Scott Adams' blog, I'm convinced that learning persuasion skills would be invaluable.
 
Learning that you have just as much of a right and an ability to understand a given situation as anyone else. Have confidence in your own ability to reason and decide for yourself.

**the rest of this post has been removed**

Anyways... :whistle:
 
Last edited:
- Learn how to do things faster than everyone else
- Learn how to do things better than everyone else, while doing them faster.
- Learn how to "roll with the punches"
- Learn how to study efficiently, not just effectively
- Find your own learning methods, get good at your own methods.
- Learn when to take a break for your own sanity.
- Learn how to work on a team.
- Learn to take advantage of the opportunities available to you.

In short, learn how to accomplish an impossible amount of work in an impossibly small amount of time. While doing so, hold yourself to a higher standard than everyone else. You aren't allowed to settle for average anymore. You aren't allowed to say "good enough" anymore.
 
Things that will help you master these things in red. While the entirety is for residents, they';re no different than what we expect for medical students, and in reality,what medical schools are looking for are people who can display evidence of mastering these.

Hence, there's a reason we ask you to engage in Ecs, and answer specific prompts in your med school applications.

Note that "knowledge" is only 1/6th of what you need. Being smart has it's limits. Hyperacheivers never get this.


Patient Care
Residents must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

Medical Knowledge
Residents must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Residents must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals. Residents are expected to:

  • communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;
  • communicate effectively with physicians, other health professionals, and health related agencies;
  • work effectively as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group;
  • act in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals; and,
  • maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records, if applicable.
Professionalism
Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. Residents are expected to demonstrate:

  • compassion, integrity, and respect for others;
  • responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest;
  • respect for patient privacy and autonomy;
  • accountability to patients, society and the profession; and,
  • sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI)
Residents must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning. Residents are expected to develop skills and habits to be able to meet the following goals:

  • identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise (self-assessment and reflection);
  • set learning and improvement goals;
  • identify and perform appropriate learning activities;
  • systematically analyze practice using quality improvement (QI) methods, and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement;
  • incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice;
  • locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems (evidence-based medicine);
  • use information technology to optimize learning; and,
  • participate in the education of patients, families, students, residents and other health professionals.
Systems-Based Practice (SBP)
Residents must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care. Residents are expected to:

  • work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to their clinical specialty;
  • coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to their clinical specialty;
  • incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or population-based care as appropriate;
  • advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems;
  • work in interprofessional teams to enhance patient safety and improve patient care quality; and
  • participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions.


Hi guys, i'm way into self-development books and stuff like that and i was wondering what skills can you develop early on that will help you as a med school student or even as a doctor? And perhaps the means by which you would develop them?

I just feel like so far, i'm "learning" a bunch of stuff, writing the test and then forgetting it all.

Thanks
 
Hi guys, i'm way into self-development books and stuff like that and i was wondering what skills can you develop early on that will help you as a med school student or even as a doctor? And perhaps the means by which you would develop them?

I just feel like so far, i'm "learning" a bunch of stuff, writing the test and then forgetting it all.

Thanks
Don't take things personal..
 
I think most people have touched on the big points, but another important thing I'd recommend:

Learn to disconnect ego from academic accomplishment.

This goes many different ways. People often find themselves very hurt when they can't succeed in a class or on a test and feel it's a negative reflection on their self worth or ability to be a good doctor. Or they think that because they did well in orgo that they're more worthy/deserving of an acceptance. Doing well in classes is great, but it doesn't make you any better or worse than your classmates or the general population.
 
the following skillz will help you much on the wards:
"cradle the balls, stroke the shaft, work the pipe, and swallow the gravy" - (from Tropic Thunder)
also, salad tossing
 
the following skillz will help you much on the wards:
"cradle the balls, stroke the shaft, work the pipe, and swallow the gravy" - (from Tropic Thunder)
also, salad tossing
Greatest movie of all time



Thank you all for your replies
 
Top