Self-directed learning is gaining traction among medical students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s important to be strategic about how much information you’re consuming to avoid burnout. Today on the Osmosis blog, UK-based medical student Mike Owen shares how he has found balance in medical school with the help of Osmosis Prime.
Learning medicine is changing. Previously, medical students relied on two primary learning resources: the textbook and the tutor. Self-directed learning involved reading textbooks densely packed with unnecessary detail and complexity, with few diagrams and visual aids to assist understanding. In modern-day teaching, I believe that the tutor remains just as important as ever, but the face of self-directed learning has changed beyond recognition. The development of the internet has transformed the way we access information; endless knowledge is just a WiFi password away. The internet is changing the landscape of self-directed learning, from one of mammoth textbooks to online learning resources teeming with animations, visual aids, diagrams, and mnemonics. To take full advantage of what is on offer, modern-day medical students need to adapt to take in new learning styles.
Information Overload
One of the issues of studying medicine is undoubtedly the sheer volume of information required. Exponential scientific discovery has resulted in a knowledge base that is too vast for any individual to conquer, and this has resulted in physicians having to specialize in particular areas of medicine, be it ophthalmology, cardiology, or general practice.
How to tackle this immense workload is one of the primary inconsistencies I observe among my peers studying medicine. Many individuals persist with medical textbooks as their main source of knowledge. However, this somewhat outdated method places a massive burden on their shoulders due to the volume of information on the page from which they are attempting to learn. It often requires many more hours spent studying and increased cognitive effort, maximizing the strain whilst minimizing the time available for rest and relaxation. Although not applicable to every student, this can create a vicious cycle where students stress both when they are studying and when they are not. Prolonged stress is physically and mentally exhausting and can trigger issues with mental health, such as anxiety and depression. Mental health amongst medical students and doctors, previously a taboo subject, is receiving more general recognition, with multiple research papers examining issues ranging from burnout to suicide.
Managing the Workload
An effective way of limiting this workload and stress can be through using the correct learning resource, which filters out unnecessary material and presents the reader with a concise summary of the important information. My personal experience using Osmosis has provided me with a manageable volume of information, which keeps me from drowning in excessive detail and focuses my attention on only the most salient content to create a stable foundation of knowledge. This focused methodology makes studying very efficient and epitomizes the expression “work smart, not hard.” For many, this can be an effective method for combating stress, burnout, and overwork. In addition, it increases the time available outside of medicine to socialize, indulge your hobbies, see family and do everything else needed to keep yourself happy and healthy.
Remaining Mentally Healthy
The current mentality in the medical profession is to place the patient’s needs above all else. However, if a doctor is unable to stay healthy, then their work, their professionalism, and ultimately, their patients will all suffer as a result. As medical students, it is imperative that we begin to put in place effective coping strategies to minimize the stress we shall undoubtedly face in the future. Whether you use mindfulness, meditation, exercise, or anything else, streamlining your workload by choosing the right learning resource can be a worthwhile accompaniment to remaining mentally healthy. Because a healthy doctor means healthier patients.
About the Author
Michael Owen is a third-year medical student from Tring and a current member of the Osmosis Medical Education Fellowship program. Currently studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK, he is considering specializing in toxicology due to his previous experience as a researcher at the National Poisons Information Service. Michael enjoys playing football, guitar, and piano with friends to unwind and de-stress.
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