• “Hospital Service”: The Power of Narrative Medicine

    “Hospital Service”: The Power of Narrative Medicine

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    Narrative Medicine is a practice that involves physicians documenting their clinical experiences in story format. By looking at their work through a narrative lens, clinicians are able to build empathy with patients and engage in creative self-reflection that can be very healing. Today on the Osmosis blog, we’re sharing a…

  • Your USMLE® Step 2 CK Questions Answered: The Osmosis Ultimate Guide

    Your USMLE® Step 2 CK Questions Answered: The Osmosis Ultimate Guide

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    Get ready for USMLE Step 2 CK with a handy guide to exam content, question types, scheduling, and healthy study habits to maximize your success with Osmosis!

  • MD vs. DO: What Are the Key Differences?

    MD vs. DO: What Are the Key Differences?

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    The journey to becoming a doctor certainly isn’t an easy one, and part of the challenge is navigating different paths. As a prospective doctor, you likely want to know whether you should pursue a DO vs. MD degree. By reading this, you’re starting off on the right foot: this guide…

  • How to Gain Administrator and Faculty Support for Flipped Classrooms

    How to Gain Administrator and Faculty Support for Flipped Classrooms

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    The flipped classroom has become common in health education programs across the United States. As an administrator, course director, or faculty member in a program that hasn’t yet implemented it, you may want to integrate this teaching strategy into your course or curriculum. But, in order to do that, you…

  • My Experience in the Osmosis Medical Education Fellowship Program

    My Experience in the Osmosis Medical Education Fellowship Program

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    Applications for the 2020 OMEF Program are now open! Each year, Osmosis invites learners from our community to join the Osmosis Medical Education Fellowship (OMEF) program. Participants have an incredible opportunity to network with health professional students around the world, host events at their institution, be published on the Osmosis…

  • The Approach Formula: Accommodating Patients with Disabilities on the Spot

    The Approach Formula: Accommodating Patients with Disabilities on the Spot

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    In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, an ideal on-the-spot approach in accommodating patients with disabilities is being shared. All-inclusive communications strategies can be used right now when interacting with a person, no matter the background nor (dis)ability. In this article, Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Moreman discusses the Approach Formula and…

  • Work Smarter, Not Harder: How Osmosis takes the stress out of medical school

    Work Smarter, Not Harder: How Osmosis takes the stress out of medical school

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    Medical student and Osmosis learner Michael Owen shares his tips for tackling the huge medical school workload and protecting your mental health with smart study habits and resource choices.

  • How We Can “Have Each Other’s Backs” During Difficult Times

    How We Can “Have Each Other’s Backs” During Difficult Times

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    Today on the Osmosis blog, OMEF and medical student Lewis Nasr explores what the Osmosis value “Have each other’s backs” means to him.  Medicine has always been an especially hyper-competitive field. It requires tremendous time and effort that, unfortunately, often comes at the expense of sleep and a social life.…

  • Seeking Mental Health Services as a Medical Student

    Seeking Mental Health Services as a Medical Student

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    Undertaking the feat of obtaining a medical degree is nothing short of monumental, but how we preserve our sanity amidst the strife and triumph truly shapes our experience. Today on the Osmosis blog, medical student and Osmosis Medical Education Fellow DianneMarie Omire-Mayor explores the harmful trope of “the tough physician”…

  • Why I Wear a Tie Every Day (Even Though I Don’t Have To)

    Why I Wear a Tie Every Day (Even Though I Don’t Have To)

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    During the COVID-19 crisis, many people’s jobs are migrating from the office to their homes. While finally being able to work in your PJs might seem like the dream, Zachary Kevorkian has some thoughts on why you still might want to dress to impress when working from home.   “Dress for…

  • My Struggle With Binge Eating Disorder

    My Struggle With Binge Eating Disorder

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    Binge eating disorder is one of the less-talked-about mental health disorders, but it’s actually the most common eating disorder in the US. Read how one Osmosis learner struggled with binge eating and learned how to manage the disorder by changing her habits and finding a support network. I would have…

  • Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Medical School

    Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Medical School

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    Do you struggle with impostor syndrome? What if there was a way to take control of that nagging little voice that tells you you’re not good enough, and turn it into confidence? Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Sarah Patterson shares her experiences battling impostor syndrome, and how she was able to…

  • Burnout in the Medical Community

    Burnout in the Medical Community

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    This month, Osmosis is partnering with Thrive Global to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and taking steps to avoid burnout. In today’s blog, Christy Brewer, CRNA, shares advice on how to help or prevent burnout before it becomes a major issue. Burnout in any industry is something…

  • Why You Should Stop Practicing Empathy and Start Feeling It

    Why You Should Stop Practicing Empathy and Start Feeling It

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    Patients don’t need someone to appear empathetic; they need someone who is empathetic. You can be that person without burning yourself out! In this article, Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Jon Urquidi Ferreira discusses the prominent role empathy has begun to play in medicine and why he thinks we should commit…

  • Mental Health in Dental School: A Student Perspective

    Mental Health in Dental School: A Student Perspective

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    Are dentists really the unhappiest professionals? Read how one dental student pursued happiness and ended up performing better in dental school as a result.  When I decided to go to dental school, my friends said, “Dentists have the highest suicide rate of any profession. Do you really want to deal…

  • Teaching Professionalism in Nursing in Your Program

    Teaching Professionalism in Nursing in Your Program

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    How can your nursing program incorporate professionalism in nursing content into your curriculum, and why is it important to do so? In today’s post, Leah Tieger, a writer on the Osmosis team, introduces the concept of professionalism in nursing, discusses how it benefits patients, and shares some tips for including…

  • How to Get the Most Out of Shadowing in Medical School

    How to Get the Most Out of Shadowing in Medical School

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    After getting into medical school, the question of “What kind of doctor do you want to be?” is commonly asked. Some people come to medical school knowing what they want to be, while others don’t—and that’s OK! Regardless, shadowing is a great opportunity to get experience in a specialty you…

  • 5 Myths About the NCLEX®

    5 Myths About the NCLEX®

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    In today’s Osmosis blog, we’re addressing some of the most common myths and misconceptions about the NCLEX. Let’s separate fact from fiction! The high-stakes nature of board exams like the NCLEX means that rumors about how to game the system and optimize your chances for success end up circulating widely.…

  • A Day in the Life of a Family Nurse Practitioner

    A Day in the Life of a Family Nurse Practitioner

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    This is an interview with Erinn, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who works at a non-profit clinic in Los Angeles caring for underserved and uninsured patients of a mostly Spanish-speaking population. In it, Nastassja Carusetta discusses what Erinn’s work looks like, the importance of educating patients, and how Osmosis can…

  • Stress Management for the Emergency Room Nurse

    Stress Management for the Emergency Room Nurse

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    Take a holistic approach to stress management. As an ER nurse, you are used to a high-pressure environment but you need to take time to decompress and destress. As an ER nurse, you know how taxing emergency nursing can be. If you don’t know, allow me to share that many…

  • Nurses Week: A Brief History

    Nurses Week: A Brief History

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    Join Osmosis in celebrating and supporting the hardworking nurses and nursing students in our hospitals, care homes, and clinics. From Osmosis to nurses everywhere: thank you for your service! Each year, we set aside a week to celebrate the unsung heroes of our hospitals, care homes, and clinics, but during…

  • How to Pass the NCLEX-RN®: The Osmosis Ultimate Guide

    How to Pass the NCLEX-RN®: The Osmosis Ultimate Guide

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    Discover all that you need to know about the NCLEX-RN® exam, including lots of information about Next Generation NCLEX-RN®, question types, the grading system, how to apply—and most importantly, how to pass! Congratulations on graduating from nursing school! Passing all those rigorous exams and grueling clinicals shows your dedication and skill.…

  • Dental Hygiene During Coronavirus: How to Avoid the Dentist’s Office

    Dental Hygiene During Coronavirus: How to Avoid the Dentist’s Office

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    Get tips and best practices for taking care of your teeth and avoiding unnecessary trips to the dentist!   The ongoing global pandemic situation has placed everyone on high alert: anxiety is running high, people are experiencing a strange combination of stress and boredom day in and day out, and…

  • Try This No-Equipment, At-Home Workout for Students in Quarantine

    Try This No-Equipment, At-Home Workout for Students in Quarantine

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    Have you tried an at-home workout yet? Gyms may be closed due to COVID-19, but don’t let that stop you from keeping up with your fitness routine. In today’s blog, Osmosis Medical Education Fellow and dedicated powerlifter Marcos de la Maza shares his no-equipment COVID-19 workout plan.  One area of…

  • An Introduction to the Flipped Classroom

    An Introduction to the Flipped Classroom

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    Are you considering transitioning your program’s curriculum to a flipped classroom model? In today’s post, Leah Tieger, a writer on the Osmosis team, offers an introduction to flipped classrooms and their potential benefits and drawbacks. Top-tier health education programs, from Stanford Medicine to Duke University’s School of Nursing, are implementing…

  • Recognizing Symptoms of Stress and Depression in Medical Students (and How to Help)

    Recognizing Symptoms of Stress and Depression in Medical Students (and How to Help)

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    It’s vital that we have each other’s backs during the COVID-19 pandemic—but how do you do this while practicing social distancing? Osmosis Medical Education Fellow and medical student Omer Rott shares his advice on managing stress and signs to look out for. Beginning medical school means starting many new things.…

  • Managing Your Students’ Mental Health During Emergencies

    Managing Your Students’ Mental Health During Emergencies

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    As an educator, you have a responsibility to support your health professions students’ mental health during times of crisis. In today’s post, Leah Tieger, a writer on the Osmosis team, shares strategies for supporting your students during difficult periods. For health professions students, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sudden…

  • Using Osmosis to Support Distance Learning

    Using Osmosis to Support Distance Learning

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    Has your institution moved from live classes to distance learning? If so, you know that this transition can be difficult. In today’s blog, our team shares how you can use the Osmosis platform to support distance learning in your program. Interest in distance learning has surged due to institutions’ responses…

  • Self-Directed Learning in the Time of COVID-19

    Self-Directed Learning in the Time of COVID-19

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    A self-directed medical curriculum has unique challenges. In today’s blog, Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Edith Gonzalez shares her usual routine and how it has been impacted by COVID-19. Though many medical school curriculums are traditional, some are geared toward self-directed student learning. In a self-directed learning curriculum, the bulk of…

  • A Lighthearted History of Doctors’ Day

    A Lighthearted History of Doctors’ Day

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    Doctors’ Day is today, March 30! There’s never been a better time to celebrate the hard work, dedication and selflessness of doctors—and all health professionals, for that matter—around the world. Today, in honor of physicians and clinicians everywhere, let’s take a moment to look back at the (somewhat humorous) history…

  • Why You Should Pledge to #RaiseTheLine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Why You Should Pledge to #RaiseTheLine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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    The world needs healthcare workers now more than ever. By 2030, we need to train 35 million additional health professionals to keep up with the demands of our rapidly aging population. This need has been accelerated by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatens the lives of millions globally. The general strategy most…

  • Maintaining Mental Balance While Practicing Social Distancing

    Maintaining Mental Balance While Practicing Social Distancing

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    Many of us are responsibly self-isolating to slow the spread of COVID-19. While social distancing is the right thing to do, it can take a toll on your mental health. Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Casey Gilman has your back with these 5 tips to find balance at home during this…