Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Great Way To Learn:Test Yourself!

Fascinating article from Scientific American on one awesome way to learn and retain new information. It revolves around answering questions about the subject first before diving into the material...

Check out the article on this link: Getting It Wrong: Surprising Tips on How to Learn

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Medical Specialty Aptitude Test

Here's a great link to give you an idea of what specialty you might choose as an M.D...

...compliments from The University of Virginia School of Medicine

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Creation, Causality, and The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Albert Einstein

Started thinking about the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics which is basically the law of Entropy. A working definition of this 2nd Law and essentially entropy is that something left to it's own devices will move towards disorder.

For instance, ice cream melts, things get dirty, iron rusts, apples oxidize...

Another example would be, from wikipedia, that states the following, "the second law implies that heat does not spontaneously flow from a cold material to a hot material, but it allows heat to flow from a hot material to a cold material. Roughly speaking, the second law says that in an isolated system, concentrated energy disperses over time, and consequently less concentrated energy is available to do useful work.

So from a creation standpoint and from a person who believes in The Carpenter of Creation, a Creator God, how could the universe be created from random chance?

In the context of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, how could order, the order and detail of the universe, be created from disorder. The only way ice cream can be frozen again is for some outside force, be it a human, to act upon it...namely placing it back into the freezer. In order for the stability and complexity of the universe to be created and remain in existence is to have The One and Only Creator God.

Whether you believe in The Creator God or not, you still have to come up with some explanation on causality...what caused the creation of the oxygen we breath, our hearts to beat, our minds that think, the grass that grows, the seasons that change? Actually, believing in some other way to explain the creation and existence of life, takes more faith than believing in God...

As a future doctor, God-Willing, I will use science, not avoid science, to strengthen my beliefs that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1.1

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Three Brains

In his book, Study Smarter, Not Harder, Kevin Paul talks about "The Three Brains" other wise known as the "Triune Brain," and how they apply to learning. Very Interesting. Here is the nutshell:

Lower Brain: aka Mammalian Brain
Responds to stress, reacts to 'fight or flight.'
This response wants to block out our higher thought processes and operate on 'instinct' mode during times of stress. Thus it is necessary to "quiet" the mammalian brain during studies, test-taking, performing surgeries, taking a penalty kick, or any other highly intense situation where we need to stay calm, cool, and collected in order to think brilliantly. One way to train the ability to stay cool under pressure is to train under pressure.

In an article from Scientific American Mind, RaƓul R. D. Oudejans, a psychologist at Free University Amsterdam, "The best way to make a performance situation feel like rehearsal, is to subject yourself to the same anxiety-packed conditions during practice that you expect to encounter during your moment in the spotlight"...he goes on to say:

These results indicate that turning up the heat from the very first day of practice may be one of the most effective ways to immunize yourself against blowing it. “Performers train and train, but it’s not that common to specifically train under these kinds of psychological constraints,” Oudejans says. “They’re trained in how to play their game, but they don’t train under pressure, so they fail.” Training in such situations minimizes the possibility of freezing up for the same reason that letting spiders crawl all over you makes them less frightening: your brain gradually adapts, so that circumstances that once would have made you uneasy no longer feel novel or threatening. “The more exposure you get to these high-pressure situations, and the more you succeed [despite them], the less likely you’re going to get that whole affective experience,” explains Art Markman, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin. In other words, the more comfortable you feel, the less likely you are to be affected by pressure.

Middle Brain: aka Limbic Brain
Responds to emotions, long term memory.
Studying, learning with strong emotions attached will increase our long term memory.

Higher Brain: aka Cortical Brain (Neocortex:cerebral cortex)
Responsible for our high level thinking. The mind must be "quiet" and in a state of relaxed intensity in order to think at such high levels. Listening to Baroque music composed at 60 beats per minute is a great way to induce "the zone" and relaxed intensity due to the stimulation of the alpha waves of the brain (which are active during times of relaxed intensity).

I'm going to go and turn on some baroque music now and activate my cerbral cortex!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Jesus: The Almighty Physician

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
~ Jesus in Matthew 11.28

This picture is my Prayer...Jesus guiding me, performing surgeries through me...Slinging My Stone, Time To Scrub In!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Cognitive Horsepower

Really cool study in the February/March 2009 issue of Scientific American Mind about Cognitive Horsepower. Here is the short version:

In theory, "stress uses up the same cognitive horsepower that would typically be devoted to mental tasks, scuttling the performance of capable people who depend on their superior abilities," says Sian L. Beilock, psychologist at the University of Chicago.

"When you've got high levels of working memory, you actually use cognitive horsepower to do tasks,...and when you worry or stress during a test, then that stress is competing for the same resources as you are using to think at high levels and great speeds.

So if If you find yourself stressing during a test or another high level thinking activity, and your thinking, 'Crap,' then that worry is definitely a problem because it is competing for the same resources as your working memory.

Bottom Line: Stressing and worry want to use the same space and resources as high level thinking and problem solving. Don't let them compete. Quiet the mind so that you can think and ace all tests and other activities with a clear mind!

The solution: Do a "Real-Time Simulation." Rehearse in a situation similar to the performance scenario. Take timed tests, practice sports in extremely high pressured and intense environment, visualize, etc, so that when the heat is on during the real event, it will be like second nature to you and you will perform and excel at peak levels!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Genius

Three thoughts on being and becoming a Genius:

1. Make the complex simple
2. Learn from the success of others
3. Learn from the mistakes of others


Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Chemistry Cartoon 01



















Compliments of cartoonstock.com

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Peg Words

1. Tie
2. Noah
3. Ma
4. Rye
5. Law
6. SHoe
7. Cow
8. iVy
9. Bee
10. Toes

*Source: Super Memory-Super Student by Harry Lorayne

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Memory:Phonetic Alphabet

0 = s, z, soft c
1 =t, d, th
2 =n
3 = m
4 = r
5 = l
6 = j, sh, ch, soft g
7 = k, hard ch, hard c, hard g, qu
8 = f, v, ph
9 = b, p

*Source: Super Memory-Super Student by Harry Lorayne

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Live and Proclaim

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

The LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.


~ Psalm 118.17, 23-25 ~ (New International Version)

Friday, December 26, 2008

Mind Training

Mind Training has started:

A. Medical Dictionary
Have read up to page 12, right now I am going page by page, currently at "absorption"...colon a.


B. Memory/Learning Exercises
Different types of techniques I am focusing on are...

01. Cognitive Modeling
02. Links = Emotional &
Creative
03. Association
04. Phonetic Alphabet
05. Peg System
06.
Letter Words
07. Substitute Words
08. Combining: Words and Numbers
• Molecular Formula for Boric Acid is "Ham Bomb" = H3BO3

C. Juggling
Just started practice today and have already been able to sustain around 4 reps in a row

Techniques:
• Maintain the jugging objects close to your body, do not allow them to stray away from you,
concentrate on keeping them "tight"

• Quiet The Mind

D. Testing/Problem Solving

1. IQ Tests
2. Mensa Puzzles, Quizzes, Problems, etc
3. Wonderlic Tests

Friday, December 5, 2008

Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve replacement is a cardiac surgery procedure in which a patient's aortic valve is replaced by a different valve. The aortic valve can be affected by a range of diseases; the valve can either become leaky (aortic insufficiency / regurgitation) or partially blocked (aortic stenosis). Aortic valve replacement currently requires open heart surgery.


Two Types of Valves can be used: Tissue or Mechanical

Surgical Procedure
Aortic valve replacement is most frequently done through a median sternotomy, meaning the chestbone is sawed in half. Once the pericardium has been opened, the patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass machine, also referred to as the heart-lung machine. This machine takes over the task of breathing for the patient and pumping his blood around while the surgeon replaces the heart valve.

Once the patient is on bypass, an incision is made in the aorta. The surgeon then removes the patient's diseased aortic valve and a mechanical or tissue valve is put in its place. Once the valve is in place and the aorta has been closed, the patient is taken off the heart-lung machine. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE, an ultra-sound of the heart done through the esophagus) can be used to verify that the new valve is functioning properly.

Bag of Worms
As the patient is warmed and brought back to normal 37 degrees Celsius and the heart begins to pump again, the heart can possibly go into v-tach. This is because it has been "asleep" for around 4 hours and when it "wakes" back up, it may over compensate by pumping all of its muscles at once. It will look like a "bag of worms" as all the muscles quiver and fire together. The patient can be "Charged" with electric shocks to stop the v-tach and regulate the heartbeat.

Pacing Wires and Drainage Tubes
Pacing wires are usually put in place, so that the heart can be manually paced should any complications arise after surgery. Drainage tubes are also inserted to drain fluids from the chest and pericardium following surgery. These are usually removed within 36 hours while the pacing wires are generally left in place until right before the patient is discharged from the hospital.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aortic_valve_replacement

In order to perform the procedure, Cardioplegia must be performed. Cardioplegia is the intentional and temporary cessation of cardiac activity, primarily used in cardiac surgery.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardioplegia

Friday, November 28, 2008

Decision Making: End Of Day Thinking


In the last post I mentioned the importance of the 38 Second rule by trusting your training and your subconscious, understanding that the gestalt can sometimes tell you all that you need to know. But to contrast this, I also mentioned how the most challenging decisions should sometimes be the most informed decisions...

Often, especially when time permits, it is best to let your decision making "slow-brew" into your subconscious which will allow you to think things over...another excerpt from Dr Groopman's amazing book, "How Doctors Think" provides us with an example:

Dr. Jeffrey Tepler is a hematologist and oncologist in private practice at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Tepler states the following: "I always go back and read the literature with almost every patient who has a nuanced clinical case, a variation of a diagnosis...I try hard to stay on top of my game."

"It's hard to think deeply about patients at the moment when you are seeing them. You need some quiet time to reflect and formulate a cogent opinion," states Dr Tepler.....

Dr Groopman then goes on to say, "For that reason, he (Dr Tepler) often tells patients that he wants to think more about their cases rather than immediately offer a treatment plan. He routinely leaves his office around eight-thirty or nine at night, devoting the end of the day to thinking. "

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Decision Making: 38 Second Rule

In our decision making, sometimes the power of the subconscious is paramount. With the subconscious activated, We can see or know the gestalt where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Meaning that we can determine at a moment's notice or upon our first instinctive thought what we want Most of the time, thus knowing the answer fairly quickly. But what can and often does happen is this: We over analyze and fall into the "paralysis through analysis." This normally occurs because we focus too much on details, worry what other people think, or because we are insecure about our own decision making.

Over analyzing can lead us into the worst decision of all: Not Making One...

Teddy Roosevelt once said: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

When it comes to making wise decisions, we must make sure we do not see "false positives." Meaning, "seeing things that are not there." In his amazing book, "How Doctors Think," Jerome Groopman, MD talks about "The 38 Second Rule."

Dr. E. James Potchen at Michigan State University, studied Radiologists and their decision making abilities while reading films. Potchen goes on to say, "Ironically, if you look at a film too long, you increase the risk of hurting the patient." Looking "too long" they found occurred after 38 seconds, and this is where the false positives began to show up.

Dr Groopman states the following of Dr. Potchens beliefs: "this reflects their (radiologists) level of insecurity about what they are observing. Temperament can have a significant impact on diagnostic accuracy, even among doctors like radiologists...."

In our decision making, I totally believe that the most challenging decisions need to be the most informed decisions, but we must come to the point where we believe in ourselves and understand the main idea...the gestalt. Trust Yourself, Know The Main Idea, and don't worry what other people think. Apply the 38 Second Rule to your life and see what you decide!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Amazing Aristotle Articulations

"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.”

"We become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions.”

"First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”

"The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”

Friday, September 26, 2008

Joshua Prayers

Joshua 3.5 (MSG)
Then Joshua addressed the people: "Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you."

Joshua 3.5 (NIV)
Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

Joshua 3.7 (MSG)
God said to Joshua, "This very day I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel. They'll see for themselves that I'm with you in the same way that I was with Moses.

Joshua 10.14b (NLT)
Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

"Talitha koum!"


36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

41He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ). 42Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

Your Faith Has Healed You

Mark 5:25-45 (New International Version)

Key Verse:

34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.
Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Forgives & Heals

Psalm 103.1-3 (NIV)

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,