What are the key concepts and terminologies in medical studies that a medical student should be familiar with for a written examination?

From the Guidelines

Key concepts and terminologies in medical studies that a medical student should be familiar with for a written examination include pharmacology, pathology, and physiology. To excel in the examination, focus on key areas such as:

• Medication history: eliciting specific information from the patient, including details of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal and other alternative remedies, as well as drug allergies and previous intolerances 1
• Clinical skills: practising relevant clinical skills, such as taking medication histories, writing new prescriptions, and reviewing lists of established prescription medicines in relation to the patient’s clinical history, calculating drug doses, and preparing and administering medicines under supervision 1
• Pharmacokinetics: understanding the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of commonly prescribed medications
• Disease pathophysiology: familiarizing yourself with the underlying mechanisms of various diseases, such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertension
• Clinical guidelines: understanding the management of conditions like diabetes mellitus, including the use of insulin therapy and other treatment options Some essential skills to master include:
• Calculating drug doses
• Preparing and administering medicines under supervision
• Documenting drug allergies and previous intolerances accurately
• Recognizing susceptibility factors and attempting to ascertain adherence to treatment As noted in the study, pharmacists play a crucial role in obtaining better medication histories than physicians and reducing the rate and severity of medication errors during acute admissions 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Key Concepts and Terminologies in Medical Studies

To perform well in a written examination, medical students should be familiar with various key concepts and terminologies in medical studies. Some of these concepts include:

• Pharmacology: understanding of drug interactions, side effects, and mechanisms of action 2
• Clinical reasoning skills: ability to apply knowledge to solve clinical problems 3
• Basic science principles: understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry 3
• Good scientific practice (GSP): knowledge of ethical principles and guidelines for scientific research 4
• Medical school stress: awareness of the impact of stress on mental health and academic performance 5

Study Strategies and Techniques

Effective study strategies and techniques can help medical students prepare for written examinations. These include:

• Using mind maps to organize and visualize information 2
• Participating in team-based learning (TBL) and case-based learning (CBL) activities 3
• Receiving coaching and guidance from instructors 5
• Practicing with structured oral examinations to assess clinical knowledge 6

Assessment and Evaluation

Medical students should be familiar with various assessment and evaluation methods, including:

• Multiple choice questions and comprehensive scores 2
• Short answer questions and case analyses 2
• Oral examinations to assess clinical knowledge and skills 6
• Questionnaires and surveys to evaluate student knowledge and attitudes towards good scientific practice 4