According to new research conducted by
The New York University & the
University of South Florida Center for Aging and Brain Repair [published
Jan 28, 2010 in the journal
Neuron],
"active rest" was found to actually strengthen memory. The finding suggests that having a rest period
after learning new information may be valuable.
Dr. Paul Sanberg, Prof. of Neurosurgery added, "By keeping on doing many different tasks [after learning new information], you may interrupt the memory you want to strengthen,..."
Labels: learning, medical research, memory, neuroscience
An interesting study conducted by
Farid Youssef at the
University of the West Indies SOM indictes that
'neurophobia' probably exists among their medical students, giving rise to concerns regarding the impact this will have on future patients.
"Neurophobia and it's implications: Evidence from a Caribbean medical school." (July 1, 2009) BMC Medical Education 2009, 9:39.
"Neurology is regarded as a difficult component of the medical curriculum. This has been so marked that the term
neurophobia and its effects are being investigated. Given the impact of neurological disorders worldwide, neurophobia has the potential to affect the diagnosis and management of such cases."
The study determined that neurology was the subject students found the most difficult and had the least knowledge of. The difficulty seemed to stem from the need to know basic neuroscience and the complex clinical examination associated with neurology. In conclusion some suggestions are put forward to address this finding:
~ provide students with greater clinical and practical exposure
~ spend more time on the subject
~ improve the teaching skills of lecturers
~ re-visit the approach to neurology and neuroscience education
Click on the title for open access to the article.Labels: Caribbean, Caribbean Medical School, medical education, neurology lectures, neurophobia, neuroscience, UWI
According to new research conducted by The New York University & the University of South Florida Center for Aging and Brain Repair [published Jan 28, 2010 in the journal Neuron], "active rest" was found to actually strengthen memory. The finding suggests that having a rest period after learning new information may be valuable. 
