suzyderkins

Somebody above said to pretend you're the teacher as you write up review sheets. I find "teaching" the material very helpful. They say you always learn a lot by teaching, and thinking through how you would explain something to someone else, especially someone who doesn't know much about what you are talking about helps you work through what you might not understand. After I prepare materials, I actually read through them out loud as if presenting the material to someone else (privacy helps a lot for this). Case studies or just trying to personalize material might help. It is always easier to remember info for drugs taken by someone you care about, so think about who might be taking something. And never underestimate the power of pure memorization. It is a worthwhile techinique for all that is derided a lot. It just doesn't have to be your only technique.

Couple quick notes: First, I HIGHLY recommend this series in the nytimes. You do need to register to read, but it is free (at least most of the site including this series). The articles are a great combo of factual info and anectdotal stories. Second, I read the series with great concern about the lack of resources being devoted and even more worry over stats that say 1 in 3 children born 5 years ago with get diabetes in their lifetime and 1 in 2 of Latino/Hispanic background. But, I also thought, I don't think I could ever be a home nurse or outreach worker with this population because the frustration level would be so high. Personally, I don't know that I could adapt to the lifestyle changes necessary, but it would still be challenging to keep trying to get people to change. Especially those who are most resistant. That fact of preventive treatment is important because we need to find ways to provide incentives for working with at risk population and the financial resources to fund it. Third, the stats in the articles that most hit me: 1 in 8 NY-ers has diabetes with rates as high as 1 in 3 in some neighborhoods. In NYC the public health department devotes $27 million to TB which affected 1,000 people last year and only $950,000 to diabetes affecting over 800,000 people. One doctor said looking at rates of diabetes, it is effective to think of the number of cases in a 24 hour period. 4,100 people are diagnosed 230 amputations occur 120 enter end stage kidney disease 55 go blind The arguments on the nytimes website feedback are all about "shoulds". What people should do, personal responsibility etc... But, I see no way "shoulds" will resolve the problem. Some type of action needs to be taken. The ultimate costs to society in every way are so high. Now figuring out what to actually do, that is a whole other debate.