Is Memorizing Drug Names Sufficient for Non-Medical Individuals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the adequacy of memorizing drug names for non-medical individuals, particularly in relation to common cold and chemotherapy medications. Participants explore methods for memorization and the necessity of understanding chemical compounds and intended uses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant plans to learn drug names in a structured format but questions whether memorizing chemical compounds is necessary for their purpose.
  • Another participant shares a link to mnemonic devices and explanations about drug naming conventions, suggesting these could aid memory retention.
  • Additional techniques for memorization, such as pegging, method of loci, acronyms, and acrostics, are proposed by another participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of memorizing chemical compounds alongside drug names, with no consensus reached on the sufficiency of memorization for non-medical individuals.

Contextual Notes

Some participants rely on external resources for memory aids, indicating a potential limitation in personal experience with drug memorization.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for non-medical individuals interested in learning about drug names and memorization techniques, as well as those exploring the relevance of chemical knowledge in this context.

Medicol
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I have a plan to learn most commonly used drugs for common cold and chemotherapy related.
I am going to write them down in the following format

Drug name: xxxx
Chemical Compounds: xxxx
Intended Use: xxx
Warning: xxx

Each of them is shortly described. I still think I don't need to learn its compound though.
Do you think this is enough for my sole purpose that is to turn them into common knowledge ( because I am not a medical student ) ?

If anyone here is a druggist, could you tell me how long did it take you to memorize all common drug names ?
 
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Use pegging and method of loci. You can also use acronyms and acrostics to strengthen these memories.
 
dkotschessaa said:
I actually googled this (I have no medical background. I just thought your question was interesting) and found:

http://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/there-easy-way-438475.html

Some good mnemonic devices there (aids to memory) as well as explanations about how different types of drugs have different root words, etc.

-Dave K

Nice link! Thanks Dave.
 

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