This website uses cookies to enhance your experience in navigating the site, to personalize your academic tutoring, and to contribute to our research in education. By continuing, we understand that you accept the use of cookies. I Accept Cookies policy

In medicine, memorization is fundamental, but without reasoning, you are exposed to malpractice

Dr. Daniel Gaitán Román is in charge of the cardiological assessment of patients before kidney, pancreas, and liver transplantation at the Carlos Haya Hospital in Málaga (Spain). He completed his training in cardiac imaging at the Vall de Hebrón Hospital in Barcelona,  University of A Coruña, and Clínico Hospital in Madrid. He has several master’s degrees, has given 200 presentations in meetings, and has written chapters of books and published in journals with impact factor. Along with that, he also teaches. He recognizes that Practicum Script has changed his perspective on managing some conditions.

Madrid, December 18, 2018. For some, simulation has a certain negative connotation. What advantages do you see in it?

Simulation is an interactive learning method that allows specifying a relationship between the abstract (clinical practice guidelines) and the reality (real patient), enabling us to recall concepts, relearn things that were previously studied, and interact with other colleagues and teaching staff. This allows you to incorporate into your medical practice new tests and ways to approach diseases according to evidence-based medicine, always with an eye to consensuses and discussing different ways to deal with medical problems.

What has this course particularly brought to you?

It has been an enjoyable course that has reminded me of concepts of physiopathology, clinical management, and complementary tests. In some situations, it has even changed my perspective on the management of some conditions, by corroborating changes in medicine based on evidence and bringing awareness of pros and cons of tests that I often do not request, which in certain situations can provide valuable information.

What if I ask for an example that catalyzed this learning?

Yes, a case with renal artery atherosclerotic disease, which reminded me of the usefulness of radionuclide renal scan, MRI, and CT.

Is it better to memorize or to reason?

In medicine, memorization is fundamental: you need the knowledge to be able to think about illnesses, but without reasoning, you are exposed to malpractice. You must use the foundation of a previous memory and reason about the best way to handle each case, at each moment, with each patient, and at each situation.

To what extent is it helpful to have environments with controlled simulation and to be able to rely on previous cases, as lawyers do in terms of jurisprudence?

They guide you a lot towards the objective of fulfilling your goal. I would even have a glossary of possible tests, in which by writing 3 letters, the system would offer a suggestion; this would prevent problems with local denominations at different sites. Being able to have management data in a similar case is very beneficial and helpful in consolidating knowledge.

Beyond the statistical mass, how do we treat the individual?

The most important thing is to consider the human dimension. In the heyday of humanistic medicine, we deal with people with specific individual characteristics and social, economic, and family situations that are not taken into account in protocols, guidelines, and recommendations. Unfortunately, in the current state, this way of dealing is greatly mediated by the economy in regard to the sustainability of the healthcare system in public medicine and the possibilities of the patient in private care. We sometimes lose touch with the essence of medicine: a physician must practice to help a patient recover or improve his health or to offer him the highest possible quality of life depending on the situation.

Testimonies

For me, the program is very interesting, since it allows me to sharpen my interrogation and direct it more towards a specific pathology and to have more knowledge of laboratory and cabinet exams. I think it is very important that we keep our medical sagacity throughout our practice and that in the few minutes it takes to answer any of the cases that Practicum Script presents, you acquire more knowledge.

Dr. Miguel Olivares Alcocer

Pediatrician in Guanajuato (Mexico)

I would like to express my gratitude to the Practicum Institute of Health Sciences Research for the opportunity given to Latin American physicians  to access and take different courses of our specialty for the benefit of our dear patients, in my case in Mexico. It has encouraged me to improve myself and keep abreast of the advances in Pediatrics and put into practice the knowledge acquired in the hospital where I work. Thanks friends and congratulations to this valuable team of Practicum Script Education.

Dr. Heriberto Fuentes García

Pediatrician in Sonora (Mexico)

I am grateful for this study tool that, through Nestlé and with this method, allows us to review different issues with cases that confront us in decision-making and serve us in the daily consultation.

Dr. Josué Refugio de León Padilla

Pediatrician in Jalisco (Mexico)

It is an excellent educational support platform for the pediatrician, offers very specific clinical challenges with alternatives for diagnosis and differential diagnoses, with the support of experts, a bibliography and a forum to share opinions. It's easy to navigate and it's fun, a tool that's worth using and making the most of it.

Dr. Guillermo Yanowsky-Reyes

Surgery Pediatrician in Guadalajara (Mexico)
See all the stories

Script Connect
Personalized help center

Our personalized help center enables you to obtain technical support and help for navigating through the site and using the program.

Frequently asked questions

I accept the data privacy policy