What type of learning is medical school?

[beetlewharf]

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I see a lot of people asking whether to go into medical school being concerned about the workload. That doesn't bother me. I'm sure I'll have to make sacrifices, but I can live with that. A bigger concern is the type of learning that goes on in medical school. How much of it is thinking about the way things work, and how much of it is rote memorization? (ie, the difference between pchem and ochem)
Thanks
-B.

 

[armybound]

most of it is conceptual. some things have to just be memorized.

I would hope that 2 years of medical school wouldn't completely distract you from the process. there's a lot more that goes in to being a doctor than suffering through 2 years of classwork.

 

[cincincyreds]

It's all rote memorization. Totally different from college. In college, I went to class to know what to study for the exam. In medical school, they give you a packet 300 pages thick to read in 3 weeks for the exam. You just have to memorize the material. I didn't even go to class because then there wasn't enough time to study. This is basically the first 2 years.

Then years 3 and 4, you do your rotations and get a shelf exam at the end of each clerckship. You just buy a few review books and memorize them.

 

[Omppu27]

do you then just forget most of everything that doesn't have to do with your specialty?...

 

[flatearth22]

It's all rote memorization. Totally different from college. In college, I went to class to know what to study for the exam. In medical school, they give you a packet 300 pages thick to read in 3 weeks for the exam. You just have to memorize the material. I didn't even go to class because then there wasn't enough time to study. This is basically the first 2 years.

Then years 3 and 4, you do your rotations and get a shelf exam at the end of each clerckship. You just buy a few review books and memorize them.

This is what I've heard as well from several current and former med students. Everyone is on a more even playing field in med school (unless you have an exceptional memory) because the critical thinking and problem solving skills aren't usually a barrier to success since. The vast amount of volume and limited time to study is.

 

[Thego2guy]

In residency? Specialties aren't chosen until residency... 😕

He meant things not pertaining to your interest, for example, if someone knows they are not interested in psych, do they just forget everything after their psych rotation? (clerkship)

 

[CodeBlu]

He meant things not pertaining to your interest, for example, if someone knows they are not interested in psych, do they just forget everything after their psych rotation? (clerkship)

Most likely.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

He meant things not pertaining to your interest, for example, if someone knows they are not interested in psych, do they just forget everything after their psych rotation? (clerkship)

No, you have to remember that you'll be tested on clinical knowledge during Step 2. Topics include IM, OB/GYN, peds, preventive medicine, psych, surgery. You can't just forget everything and be done with it--it's not that simple.

As for the depth of information you need to retain, I'm not sure.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Too much learning

 

[neuro nephrons]

I have heard it is the equivalent of drinking from a fire hose. Quite frankly, I am excited.

 

[mvenus929]

I wouldn't say it's all memorization. That's a good chunk of it, but if you learn things conceptually, it may take you more time and effort to get the same grade as someone who is really good at memorizing, but you can make it through. When I was studying embryology for Step 1, anatomy really started making sense to me in a way that didn't when we were learning anatomy (and glossing over the embryology).

 

[DocHawk117]

You just have to memorize the material. I didn't even go to class because then there wasn't enough time to study. This is basically the first 2 years.

Definitely agree. For some courses, such as neuro and immuno, there is a greater emphasis on conceptual material and application. But for the most part, memorization = best friend. An important thing to realize it what style of learning works best for you, and then find a FEW resources to use. A lot of times people get bogged down by the number of resources and then don't learn the material in as much detail as they need to.

 

[jkm07]

From: http://whatshouldwecallmedschool.tumblr.com/post/23575361821/med-school

 

[obgyny]

I see a lot of people asking whether to go into medical school being concerned about the workload. That doesn't bother me. I'm sure I'll have to make sacrifices, but I can live with that. A bigger concern is the type of learning that goes on in medical school. How much of it is thinking about the way things work, and how much of it is rote memorization? (ie, the difference between pchem and ochem)
Thanks
-B.

It's both. There will be tons of memorization (just can't get around it). The amount and level of detail is very different from undergrad. But there are classes that are conceptually heavy as well- physio, immuno, neuro, for example. I'm finishing up first year, not sure how the second year will be.

The key is trying to not treat everything like pure memorization, but to find relationships/patterns/reasons for things (even for memorization-heavy classes like anatomy). But some things you just have to flat out memorize unfortunately.

The more fun part of med school is when you get to apply the things you learn. Periodically, we get to do simulations, patient encounters, etc where you do more critical thinking. Looking forward to the clinical years!

 

[obgyny]

I have heard it is the equivalent of drinking from a fire hose. Quite frankly, I am excited.

I said that too before med school. I didn't quite understand just how true the metaphor was. I think the pancake analogy works pretty well too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5RapBjos3I

But really, med school turns you into a memorizing machine. Just when you think you can't do anymore, they pile more on. You just adapt.

 

[The Imprisoned]

I see a lot of people asking whether to go into medical school being concerned about the workload. That doesn't bother me. I'm sure I'll have to make sacrifices, but I can live with that. A bigger concern is the type of learning that goes on in medical school. How much of it is thinking about the way things work, and how much of it is rote memorization? (ie, the difference between pchem and ochem)
Thanks
-B.

Organic is not memorization. The unfortunate reality is that professors teach it as such. Mechanisms are logical once a basic conception is down. Sorry to hijack =)

 

[swamprat]

I'd say first year is tons of memorization + some conceptual learning like other posters have said physio mainly. Second year is literally all memorization there is no conceptual side to it and its excruciating detail of bugs and diseases that you may think why do i ever need to know this im never gunna look at this under a microscope or why it stains this way or that way..but u have to know it. At the end you'll study for step 1 and then things that u maybe just memorized and thrown away (esp stuff first year) will start to come back and make more sense..and ull think why was that so difficult to learn and understand the first time. And thats about as far as I've gotten..