Medical Education-Learn
Photo: Research group
The student research group ME-Learn (Medical Education-Learn) mainly consists of medical students of the University of Hamburg. It is headed by the three medical students Michail Mordvintsev, Ben Lücking and Henry Risch. It is their objective to support fellow students with evidence-based learning methods in their learning process in order to implement a more sustainable and effective method of learning. During the last two years, the ME-Learn-Team has developed presentations and workshops based on systematic literature research as well as expert interviews which are offered at medical faculties, in introduction units and scholarship programs. These events address students from all over Germany and present current scientifically sound learning methods.
Learning how to learn
The learning process is complex and so far, not completely examined. It can be divided into three dimensions: cognitive (what is supposed to be learned), meta cognitive (how should be learned) and affective (why should be learned). The ME-Learn-Team concentrates especially on the meta cognitive dimension which looks at different methods of learning. The most current research in learning psychology considers some methods of learning to be more effective than others. However, these effective methods have not been established in the awareness of those learning and those teaching.
Learning methods
Mainly passive ways of learning are considered to be less effective by learning psychology. These include the marking of text, the repeated reading of texts and writing summaries. In contrast to these passive methods of learning, efficient methods of learning grant a long-term learning success. It is possible to keep in mind what you have learned for a longer period of time. These efficient mainly are the following two:
- Retrieval Practice (active memory): this method describes the active retrieval of lessons already learned, also known as Test-Effect. It suggests that tests should not only be used for the assessment of learning success, but actively for learning, too.
- Spaced Repetition (divided learning): This method states that learning content may be more securely anchored in the long-term memory, if they are divided over longer periods of time. This is one of the most effective learning methods.
Research
The ME-Learn Team in cooperation with the Department of Anesthesiology and its teaching coordinator Dr. med. Parisa Moll-Khosrawi intend to enlarge the offer of courses in emergency medicine at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) by using evidence-based learning methods examine their effects on the learning success of the students. Emergency medicine is an especially relevant area in this case, because it is of great importance to all prospective doctors as doctors have to be able to make decisions within seconds in critical situations which might decide upon the life of patients. Therefore, the ME-Learn-Team aims at examining learning methods which may support a long-term memory of the medical basics for it. In this context, they conduct several studies at the moment which examine inter alia the learning method Retrieval Practice and Spaced Repetition regarding practical and theoretical knowledge in emergency medicine in the teaching of students at the UKE.
Future outlook
The ME-Learn-Team is convinced that, science-based learning methods will improve the learning results of medical students at the University of Hamburg can contribute to the development of practical medical studies. In the long run, we strive to contribute to a learning culture, which supports the ability to make informed decisions in the world of medicine students as well as doctors and patients. All parties concerned, be it students, patients or lectures, are cordially invited to participate in their projects and to support the exchange on efficient learning.
Contact
Research group
- Michail Mordvintsev
- Ben Lücking
- Henry Risch
Mentor
- Frau Dr. med. Parisa Moll-Khosraw