69 Tackling Medical Exams and Flashcards with Dr. Ali Abdaal

<p>Dr. Ali Abdaal discusses evidence-based study methods for medical students, tips for using medical flashcards, and the role of fun in productivity. Dr. Abdaal is a FY2 physician in the UK and a successful YouTuber with over a million subscribers.</p> <ul> <li>[01:36] Evidence-Based Study Techniques</li> <li>[04:55] Anki and Other Flashcard Apps</li> <li>[06:35] Mnemonics and Memory Palaces</li> <li>[08:27] Tips for Using Flashcards</li> <li>[12:36] Defining Productivity & How to be Productive</li> <li>[14:44] How to Overcome Common Productivity Struggles</li> <li>[16:45] The Role of Fun in Learning & Productivity</li> <li>[21:00] Avoiding the Professional “Conveyor Belt” and Achieving Happiness</li> </ul> <p>Dr. Ali Abdaal is co-host of his own podcast <a href= "https://www.notoverthinking.com/">Not Overthinking</a>, but in this episode of The Medical Mnemonist, he discusses two evidence-based study techniques used in his medical studies – active recall and spaced repetition. Dr. Abdaal is also a fan of mnemonic devices. As a medical student, he recalls creating silly mnemonics with his friends. For example, to remember the side effects of pyrazinamide, which is a treatment for tuberculosis, he associated it with the Islamic concept of “zina” or premarital sex which is prohibited. Another act that is prohibited in Islam is drinking alcohol, which damages the liver. Therefore, a negative side effect of pyrazinamide is damage to the liver.</p> <p>Using mnemonic devices falls within Ali’s larger belief that having fun is key to productivity. He shares his “productivity equation” which is:</p> <p>Productivity = (Useful Output/Time) x Fun</p> <p><em> </em>Another fun and effective study method that he used in medical school was having <em>pomodoro</em> sessions with his friends. A <em>pomodoro</em> session consists of 25 minutes of studying, and then a 5-minute break, repeated over and over again.</p> <p>Although Dr. Abdaal prioritizes fun, he believes that action precedes motivation — a concept that he gleaned fro