The HippoCampus Podcast

In this 'Exam-special' episode we discuss single best answers or SBAs, a common type of question used in examinations across many medical schools and Universities.  
 
With the exam season fast approaching for many of us, we share our experiences in preparing for and sitting these types of exams with discuss top tips and strategies and insights from staff who write SBAs to help tackle even the trickiest of questions! 

If you enjoy the podcast please do leave us a review on iTunes and if you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at [email protected]! 

We are always open to hearing suggestions for future episodes and future guests!

In this episode we are joined again by the lovely Dr Jared Cooney-Horvath, an educational neuroscientist working at the University of Melbourne. Jared's work involves researching the brain, its role in learning and translating what we can find in the research to practical applications for our learning!

This time we focus on sleep and what happens when the lights go off! We delve into the important role sleep plays in consolidating memories and strengthening our learning; the damage we can do by pulling 'all nighters'. We also  explore the science behind the morning lark/night owl, whether we all need those golden "8 hours of  sleep" and what exactly is happening when we dream!?

Recommendations from the episode:
Fringeology (book)
Book recommended by Jared, looking at the 'fringes' of science , including a chapter on lucid dreaming and what it taught us about ourselves and our understanding of the brain.

How Much Sleep Do Teenagers Need (short You Tube video)
From Jared' You Tube channel, 'From Theory to Practice', discussing a research paper  that examines the fundamental linkage between sleep, learning and memory formation! 

Why We Sleep (book)
A fantastic read looking at what we know and understand about the importance of sleep in every aspect of our life!

If you enjoy the podcast please do leave us a review on iTunes and if you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at [email protected]! 

We are always open to hearing suggestions for future episodes and future guests!

In this episode we are joined by Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel, an expert in memory and learning from the University of Glasgow. Carolina's work involves translating research findings into the 'real-world' of learning. She is one of the members of the 'Learning Scientists', a group of cognitive psychologists whose work involves communicating evidence-informed learning strategies to the masses though talks, videos and downloadable resources!

With Carolina, we discuss spacing and retrieval- the two most effective learning strategies (supported by the research) for longer-term retention, exploring why they are more effective than the “more-popular” techniques of highlighting and rewriting notes.

We look at the use of flash cards and questions, and how these can be used effectively (by combining retrieval and spacing) but highlight how they can sometimes be used ineffectively!

We finish with discussing what is the most important thing to do when it comes to revision, in those anxiety-filled few weeks before an exam!

Recommendations from the episode:
Learning scientists https://www.learningscientists.org/
- download short step by step 'posters' or book marks describing how to embed spacing and retrieval. 
-Other effective strategies such as elaboration and concrete examples are also detailed on their website. These are supported further with video podcasts and an audio podcast (subscribe to it via iTunes!)

TILE Network https://tile.psy.gla.ac.uk/
- the Teaching Innovation and Learning Enhancement network; bringing together educators and students to discuss evidence-informed approaches to learning.
-if you'd like to get involved e.g. by writing a blog please get in touch via their website [email protected]  

If you enjoy the podcast please do leave us a review on iTunes and if you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at [email protected]! 

We are always open to hearing suggestions for future episodes and future guests!

In this episode, we meet with Lara Crowther, a personal trainer and wellbeing guru who is also currently undertaking a PhD  in mindfulness in medical education!

She shares her journey from Higher Education and medical school, to training to become a personal trainer and wellbeing coach, and how mindfulness has played a part throughout that time.

We hear about some of the preliminary findings from her current research, discuss what exactly 'mindfulness' is (and what it isn't!) and explore practical suggestions for incorporating moments of 'mindful enquiry' into each day, no matter how busy we are!

Recommendations from the episode:
Oxford Mindfulness Centreoffering free mindfulness classes every Wednesday and lots of other helpful resources!
Mindfulness- Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Psychology-great book recommended by Lara
Headspace and Calm Apps- worth checking out as one option to support incorporating mindfulness into you daily practice [look out for student discounts!)

If you enjoy the podcast please do leave us a review on iTunes and if you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at [email protected]! 

We are always open to hearing suggestions for future episodes and future guests!

In this episode, we meet with Takunda Nhiwatiwa and Divine Maduka to talk about racial harassment and racial inequalities in medical education. We explore how we all play a part in ensuring inclusivity for all students- in the learning environment and within medical school curricula.

We discuss the “what” and “why” in relation to the BMA Charter for Racial Harassment, the importance of support and ensuring reporting mechanisms for those who experience racial harassment. And also what others  who may witness such behaviours, should do. We ask what is  'active' bystanding- as talk about the opportunities available to get involved with  equality and diversity projects across medical education.

If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode please do see the various sources of support and guidance you can access. We discuss these within the episode and include links within the recommendations below.

Recommendations from the episode:
BMA Charter
Mind the Gap- dermatology on non-white skin resource (free PDF online): by medic Malone Mukwende
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men: focuses on data regarding the gender gap separated by different topics - the theme of race is smattered throughout but the Medical chapter

Instagram suggestions-
@melaninmedics  - A registered UK charity promoting diversity in medicine, widening aspirations & aiding career progression for African & Caribbean students & doctors.
@medschool_racism - a platform for elevating healthcare students’ voices, empowering them to share their experiences of racial harassment and seek to educate & inspire changed behaviour

And for inspirational (and educational!) follows!
@dr.fab - Dr Kemi Fabusiwa- makes dermatology accessible but also talks about race in medicine - she did a video on the attainment gap and being black in medicine
@amileya - Dr Amile Inusa - makes loads of easy to understand infographics regarding race and medicine, but also general advice such as finance as a medic, as well as holding conferences and doing podcasts.

Not mentioned in the podcast but also recommended!
@drewomaukeleghe - an inspiring and award wining medical and cosmetic doctor- very inspiring!

If you enjoy the podcast please do leave us a review on iTunes and if you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at [email protected]! 

We are always open to hearing suggestions for future episodes and future guests!

Welcome back! We return after a brief hiatus for our first episode of Series 2. 

So in this episode, we catch up to discuss how we've faired settling in to our clinical placements, sharing some of challenges we've faced when learning in the clinical environment!

We are also joined by a guest Umang Thakrar, who is currently intercalating between third and fourth year, and was finishing his last set of clinical placements when COVID hit.  He shares with us his experiences and provides a few tips to help us make the most of your time in the clinical environment.

If you'd like to reach out to us to comment on this episode or on future episodes then please
send us a message or comment by visiting our Instagram page @thehippocampuspodcast or Twitter @hippocampus_pod (& give us a follow!)

You can also reach us at ([email protected])!

In this final episode (*sniff*) of our first season we take a moment to reflect and share  what we've learnt over the last few months of developing "a podcast in a pandemic". We reflect too on some of our personal highlights from previous episodes with our guests and finally introduce our 'silent' 7th host!
 
We share a huge thank you to our guests and listeners - and  also put a call out to our listeners  for suggestions on future guests or episode themes  for season 2! We'll be back at the end of Nov/early December 2020 with a new set of episodes!

So send us a message (DM) or comment by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast or on Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us at ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:
-Matthew Syed: Rebel Ideas (book)

And please do have a look and listen through our season 1 episodes!

In this episode we discuss different routes into medicine...from not getting the predicated grades, knock-backs at interview and unsuccessful degree transfer attempts..

Our hosts Lisa, Eliot, Nikitia and Sophie are joined by guest Rhea Soni (who joined us in Ep 10 too) and together describe their routes into medicine, their personal set backs and what they learnt from them. Their experiences highlight the range of ways into medicine should your first, or even second attempt be unsuccessful!

So, whatever your background if you are considering applying to medicine, or have had a set-back already for whatever reason there will be something in this episode for you.

Don't forget, you can send us a message or comment by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:

Recommendations
- Dr Sarah Nicholls (YouTube)

Pharmacology and prescribing is an important subject and skill for all medical students, and many healthcare professionals! Yet, it can be somewhat overwhelming when first approaching the topic and tackling those long lists of drugs and side effects.

In this episode we are joined by Rhea Soni, a current Year 3 medical student who originally trained as a pharmacist. Her prior experience being a pharmacist gives her a unique insight into learning pharmacology and prescribing. She shares tips that will help you during the pre-clinical phase but also on what you can do during clinical placements to keep honing and expanding those skills!

Don't forget, you can send us a message or comment by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:
- Top 100 Drugsby Andrew Hutchings
- SureenaSpeaks- YouTube channel providing great summaries organised around the key BNF chapters

In episode 10, which completes our "two-episode anatomy-themed series" we are joined by Dr Steven Jacques, Associate Professor and Head of Anatomy at Leicester Medical School. Dr Jacques shares with us his route from medical school to his current role, how curiosity to 'know how things work' drove his career and love of anatomy, and how the demands of medical school curriculum affects curiosity for learning.

Dr Jacques also shares his thoughts on the the importance of anatomy for future clinical practice, the role and value from learning with human tissue sources such as body donors and prosections, and how students can make the most of what is offered at medical schools for learning anatomy.

Note to listeners -we had a bit of a microphone glitch in the first half of the episode which we couldn't edit out. It disappears for the latter half so hopefully it isn't too annoying :(

Don't forget, you can send us a message or comment by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:
- Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
- Also a documentary based on the book, episodes available on YouTube

If you haven't already do have a listen to Episode 9 where the hosts shares some other excellent resources and tips for supporting learning anatomy.