Medical Mnemonics and Other Useful Advice

Mnemonics are memorization tools. They are short lists of letters or words that help you recall important related facts. You may have learned this one in grade school to help you recall the names of the planets in order:

• My - Mercury

• Very - Venus

• Educated - Earth

• Mother - Mars

• Just - Jupiter

• Sent - Saturn

• Us - Uranus

• Nine - Neptune

• Pizzas - Pluto

A group called Geeky Medics has put together a site for medical professionals called “Medical Mnemonics.” Although geared to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, it contains a great deal of information valuable to lay people as well. Here are some examples.

Under Clinical Skills, the Communications section includes the SPIKES mnemonic for how to break bad news:

• Setting up

• Perception

• Invitation

• Knowledge

• Emotions

• Strategy and summary

Sooner or later, everyone has to break some form of bad news to someone else. The Geeky Medic’s guide to breaking bad news might be something you would want to keep a copy of. Although written to advise a doctor or nurse on how to tell a patient some bad news, you can use the same steps in other situations as well.

In the Dermatology section of Medical Mnemonics is the very important reminder of what to look for on your skin in order to recognize a potential melanoma:

• Asymmetry

• Border irregularity (or poorly defined)

• Color (varying colors)

• Diameter (>6mm)

• Evolving (changing in size, color or shape

There are numerous dermatology guides you could peruse.

Under Surgery Mnemonics, Orthopaedic Surgery, you will find the RICE mnemonic for soft tissue injuries such as sprains:

• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

In the Psychiatry Mnemonics you will find Risk Factors for Suicide:

• Sex (male)

• Age (<19 or >45 years)

• Depression

• Previous attempt

• Excess alcohol or substance use

• Rational thinking loss

• Social support lacking

• Organised plan

• No spouse

• Sickness

There is an accompanying Suicide Risk Assessment Guide.

This website isn’t going to qualify you for an RN or MD degree. But it does contain a wealth of information you might find helpful. Check it out!