Spencer's Caribbean Medical School Journal

I won a Pathology Award!

2011-06-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I scanned my award into my computer for the purposes of bragging!

Check it out!

Yahoo for me!

Physiology Formulas for USMLE Step 1

2011-06-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

I'm currently preparing for the USMLE step 1.

I've heard that if you master physiology you can figure out a lot of questions.

That sounds like less studying time so that would be sweet. In an attempt to master physiology I've constructed some formula sheets for the big sections; Cardiac, Respiratory, and Renal.

I've decided to post them here for future reference.

Cardiac:

Respiratory:

Renal:

If you've found these formula sheets useful, leave a comment!

We Can All Live Until We're 1000!

2010-06-13T08:26:00.001-07:00

Yes, one thousand!

The Spread of HIV

2010-06-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

Here's another video from that great website known as TED.com!

This video is called "HIV: New Fact and stunning data visuals." And, believe you/me, these visuals are stunning! This is got to be the best way to show the spread of epidemics. Some day, I hope to be able to make a graph this nice but, that's a 'tall-order!' Check it out:

Norman Rockwell Paintings of Doctors

2010-06-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

I was looking at some of these old paintings by Norman Rockwell. It made me wonder if Doctors enjoyed their job more in the past than they do in the present?

AIDS Vaccine

2010-06-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hey. I came across this cool video on TED.com about creating an HIV vaccine. They're using a new technique called 'retrovaccinolog.'

Medical Biochemistry

2010-01-22T12:59:00.000-08:00

This class is kind of a drag. I don't have a really strong background in this here stuff (I took undergraduate 'intro to biochem' about 7 years ago!)

Like I said in my previous post, I really like learning from videos and, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has some great ones! Follow this link: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/dna/animations.html

Here's a good one!:

Another good website with lots of animations relevant to medical studies can be found at: http://www.sumanasinc.com/index.html

Yeah so...wish me luck in this class!

Neurology

2010-01-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

Neurology is a really cool class. There's lots to remember though!
I learn best by watching videos. There's a lot of cool educational video found at the following website: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/neuroscience/animations.html

Another cool animation site is: http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/nucleusindex.php?
There's some good free samples but, you have to pay for the real-deal animations.

Another cool thing we learned in Neurology is that, in the CNS, the oligodendrocytes create the myelin sheath on the neuron:

This medical artist is sweet. Looks like he used colour pencils. Reminds me of comic book art! I can't make out the signature. If I could, I would definately love to see more from this artist. If you know the name of the artist, write it in the comments!

Second Semester Class: Physiology

2010-01-22T10:08:00.001-08:00

So, I passed all my classes. Yeah! Woohoo!

I'm not too worried about this physiology class. It's some pretty basic physics. Diffusion, elasticity, pressure...Pretty much you just plug stuff into equations and you're good to go. i.e. read the questions, extract the variables, plug them in to formula and you get an A (hope, hope).

Once the course picks up a bit it should get more interesting. I'm interested in learning more about what happens to your physiology while you're scuba diving. Diving is a big interest of mine. I blog about scuba here. Check it out!

Right now were learning about the respiratory system. Check out the following picture of a really cool macrophage found in the lung (dust cell):

First Year Classes

2009-10-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

Anatomy

Anatomy is a lot of memory work but I still find it interesting. It's fun to study because it's not as abstract as other classes. You can observe the things you learn in anatomy immediately on you own body. It's amazing how everything is there for a reason. It makes sense to learn about such a complicated and elegant system.

Histology

I'm currently struggling in this course. It is cool to look at slides through the microscope. It's another thing to care about what I'm observing. I think that I've made the wrong associations in my mind related to this course. If I could make studying histology a more pleasurable experience than I'm sure I'd do better. In either case, I have to do better if I want to finish medical school.
I was watching histology videos which are supposed to compliment my regular studies (not replace them). Here's the video site: http://www.medicalschoolpathology.com/ShotgunHistology.htm

Embryology

This class is pretty cool. This instructor keeps it pretty light. Also, it's about everybody's favorite subject -> sex! However, in this class, I've noticed the dogmatic philosophy of medicine. I have some questions about some of the stuff we've been taught. I've heard conflicting information elsewhere. Particular from Robin Baker's book "Sperm Wars." Also, doesn't the moon have something to do with a woman's cycle. Furthermore, what about the Tibetan point of view regarding embryology?....There's lots of information out there. I think for now I will become what they define as a 'North American Doctor.' Later, I will take a Jeet-kune-do approach, applying all the best medical practices from the various healing disciplines....

Studying Medicine at St. Matthew's University in the Cayman Islands

2009-10-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

If you're passionate about pursuing a career as a medical doctor. Why not go to the Caribbean to study? It' very beautiful in the Cayman Islands and there are lots of recreational activities to be done. Some activities include: Scuba diving, kitesurfing, and bar hopping. Another advantage is that the entry requirements are less competitive here. So, if you were not serious about your studies in the past, you still can make it as a doctor.

Once you get here, realize that you will have to spend time studying. As a student you'll be using the majority of your waking-hours making cue-cards and reviewing power point presentations. It's still fun though. You'll meet lots of people in the same situation as you and they will easily become your friends.

On the other hand. It is a small island! It won't take long to get to know everyone so if you humiliate yourself, or get a bad reputation, the gossip will get you!

No biggie though. I hear that you can easily transfer to another school since there are so many schools across different islands.