In fact, students using the same program can now download pre-made, content specific flash card decks as well as create and share their own. With the advent of digital flash card programs, creating cards has become much easier. However, that particular study did not take into account other retrieval practices of the medical students.Īnother popular form of spaced retrieval practice that medical students have been using for years is flash cards. A study conducted by one of the authors (GLBD) at a different institution found that completing the UWorld question bank was associated with higher USMLE Step 1 scores. One popular and effective form of spaced retrieval practice that medical students are encouraged to use are question banks and practice exams. More recent studies have shown that retrieval practice impacts performance more than time intervals of retrieval. Retrieval attempts spaced over longer periods of time were initially thought to also increase forgetting however, additional studies have suggested that expanded retrieval time increases recall difficulty leading to enhanced learning. Furthermore, the spacing out of retrieval practice, known as spaced retrieval, has also been shown to enhance learning. As a result, retrieval practice facilitates the learning of new material as well as integrating new knowledge with existing schemas. Retrieval practice, also known as the testing effect, allows learners to revisit key learning points through a range of question types from basic identification questions to more sophisticated synthesis and application questions. One strategy to curtail forgetting material is retrieval practice. Therefore, medical students often have to work hard to relearn content for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1. Based on a review study by Custers, approximately one-third of this knowledge is lost after one year and nearly half in two years. Although attempts at longitudinal integration of basic science topics have occurred, content continues to be delivered in organ system blocks. With recent moves to shorten basic science phases of the curriculum, delivery of the content is concentrated and may impact retention and mastery of the content. One of the greatest challenges medical educators face is helping students master, retain, and apply basic science and medical knowledge.
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