The human body is complex with a well-developed brain that is known for its power to reason based on logical sequencing and represented by a high quotient for intelligence. Anatomy and physiology are disciplines that study the structure and function of body organs.
A deeper understanding of these two subjects helps us understand the workings of the human body. When we grasp the complex physiological processes that occur because of bioactivity and enzymes, we understand the effect of diet, drugs, and diseases on our bodies.
Anatomy lectures prep courses will aid in learning these essential subjects that teach us the importance of different parts and their physiological parameters in normal healthy conditions.
When any of these parameter measures appear to be above or below the normal range, then the concerned physician can treat the patient based on the diagnostic report findings.
Why should one learn anatomy and physiology?
Doctors and nurses deal with patient care, and helping them with the best treatment within a few minutes of their admission is necessary to establish the root cause of the problem.
Unless a physician is proficient in what conditions are inflicted under a disease and how the physiological parameters change to reflect the symptoms, it is difficult to complete an initial examination that is critical for the patient.
Anatomy helps us understand the structure of our internal and external body organs. A normal person will know how an ear looks and what its primary function is. However, a medical student also knows what the internal and middle ear look like and how critical it is to protect the eardrum from loud noises and infections.
Assessment of a patient’s health is effective based upon the core competency of a doctor who is proficient in their specialization only when they understand the functions of various organs and body reactions when something is amiss.
Importance of anatomy and physiology for USMLE
Clearing the USMLE exam allows the med school student to take up their residency program and earn the license to practice as a doctor. Every year the best residency programs are awarded based on the USMLE score.
It is recommended to memorize clinical anatomy scenarios to score high and ensure your acceptance into a prestigious residency program for a rewarding career and experience. For instance, a student who understands first aid and can memorize points about brachial plexus injuries or abdominal vasculature is on the right path to earning a competitive score.
Tips and hacks to study anatomy and physiology effectively:
- Survive the labs
Med school programs are challenging, and most people find some subjects challenging as they learn through cadavers in labs where the organs have been donated. It is especially stressful for people with a sensitive gut who cannot tolerate strong pungent smells.
The preservative chemicals like formaldehyde used to preserve cadavers have an unpleasant odor that many students find difficult to adjust in the initial days.
However, learning from donor organs is the closest a med school graduate will get to feel the real anatomy of the human body. So it is a good idea to get used to the smell. Take tips from your course instructors and seniors. Some tested hacks are using coffee beans or Vicks vapor to conceal the bad smell.
- Study in groups
Doctors work together as members of healthcare delivery teams. The same concept of learning and assimilating information together in teams will help all win together. Forming a team or study group that can share the load and distribute the learning topics, will help in easing the burden on each student. The learning outcomes can be shared and discussed during study group hours where all members meet, study through a focused routine, and plan the next course of action.
- Online programs
Education platforms with enhanced solutions have made learning easy even for difficult subjects such as medicine. Several MedTech platforms offer curated courses in anatomy and physiology that will aid the preparation of the student. With immersive videos that cover a range of topics and 3D simulated graphics for deeper understanding and learning, preparing for difficult subjects like anatomy and physiology has become more fun and interactive. Smart recall quizzes that test the preparation help like practice hacks for the main exams.
- Organize a glossary
Learning new anatomical and physiological terms with a self-maintained glossary helps in longer memory retention. Create a glossary where you can list the new terms in alphabetical order and try to quiz one another with the glossary terms in the study group sessions.
- Divide topics into sections
If you try to memorize all the topics in a subject, it will be a herculean task that will be futile as well. Memorizing scientific terminology and studying important pointers for the entire subject in a few days is not recommended. Instead of piling up the topics for last, divide the subject into sections and read in a piecemeal method. When smaller information doses are induced, assimilation of the topics is higher leading to longer retention in the memory.
- Practice tests
Practice tests are the best way to know where you stand in terms of scoring patterns. It is imperative that unless some of the anatomy and clinical scenarios are understood, it is difficult to clear the licensure exam to become a doctor. So it is recommended to take practice tests in anatomy and physiology and answer more quizzes for self-assessment.
Conclusion:
If you have been accepted into a med school program, then you have to pat yourself for two reasons- one for being one of the top few who cleared difficult barriers to get into a med school and two for choosing a profession that helps countless patients lead a hopeful life as their doctor is competent and trustworthy to offer them best standards of patient care. From here on, with organization and zeal to do well, prepare for your anatomy and physiological courses to do well and help as many patients as you can.
