In one of my previous blogs, I mentioned that the questions in the recent pattern of the NEET-MDS exam are case-based, requiring an integrated approach to studying.
Table of Contents
So what exactly is an integrated study approach?
It’s the process of making connections among different subjects and concepts to apply the information effectively when solving complex problems or questions.
Still trying to understand? Don’t worry
Stay with me
I’ll explain
Think of it this way: Instead of compartmentalizing subjects into neat little boxes, you blend them together. This way, when you’re faced with a tricky case-based question, you’ll have a comprehensive toolkit to tackle it from multiple angles. By understanding how different concepts connect, you’ll be better prepared to solve complex questions confidently and smoothly.
Why is an integrated study approach important in this new age NEET-MDS pattern?
Let me give you an example of a case-based question here:
Identify the intraosseous lesion often associated with an impacted tooth, aggressive infiltrate, highly recurrent, growing along the length of the bone shown in the image below: [Question from Dental Pulse- AIPG 2017]
What is the answer? Dentigerous cyst?
No wrong!
It is Odontogenic keratocyst/ Keratocystic odontogenic tumor.
Many of you might go for a Dentigerous cyst because of the term impacted tooth in the question. But what some of you might miss is the phrase: highly recurrent and growing along the length of the bone, which is a feature of Odontogenic keratocyst/ Keratocystic odontogenic tumour.
This is where the integrated study approach comes into action.
When you see this question, you’ll notice it’s primarily an Oral Radiology question. But if you read it thoroughly, you’ll find clues from Oral Pathology, revealing that the answer is actually an OKC.
Integrating Oral Pathology with Oral Medicine and Radiology makes it much easier to tackle these types of questions. Since the NEET-MDS exam features quite a few case-based questions, it’s crucial to understand concepts from multiple perspectives. An integrated study approach is a powerful way to achieve this.
How integrated learning make studying easier and help in more memory retention?
Integrated learning makes studying a breeze and boosts memory retention by connecting the dots across different subjects. Here’s how:
- Contextual Understanding: Think of it as giving your brain a storyline. When you study related topics together, everything makes more sense and sticks around longer.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving: Integrated learning improves your ability to apply knowledge from various fields to solve complex questions, as you’re not just memorizing the facts but understanding their interconnections.
- Better Retention: Seeing how concepts are related creates a web of knowledge. Your brain loves making these connections, so recalling information becomes a piece of cake.
- Active Learning: Integrated learning gets your brain off the couch and into the gym. Analysing, synthesising, and evaluating information strengthens your mental muscles.
- Efficient Studying: Instead of studying subjects in isolation, integrated learning allows you to cover multiple areas simultaneously, making your study sessions more efficient and productive.
By integrating your learning, you’re not just prepping for specific questions; you’re building a powerhouse of knowledge that will serve you well in exams and beyond.
What subjects can you study in an integrated way?
Here is a list of subjects that I studied in an integrated way:
- Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine & Radiology: These subjects naturally complement each other. Understanding the pathology helps you interpret radiographic findings and vice versa.
- General Anatomy and Local Anesthesia: Studying these subjects together makes it easier to understand the local anaesthesia blocks.
- Biochemistry and Physiology: These foundational sciences are best understood together, as they explain the biochemical processes underlying physiological functions.
- OMFS and General Surgery: Both being surgical subjects, combining General Surgery and Oral Surgery for study makes perfect sense. You’ll get a deeper understanding of overlapping topics like the Glasgow Coma Scale, surgical instruments, pre-op conditions, and CPR. These subjects share so much common ground, and studying them together is like hitting two birds with one stone.
- Physiology, General Medicine and Pharmacology: This is the core trilogy in your exam preparation. These subjects carry a lot of weight in your exam. With these three you are understanding the normal functions – the problem – and the solution all at the same time. Smart! Don’t you think?
But now you might be wondering, “Should I study Physiology with Biochemistry or stick it with these two subjects?”
I’ll give you an example: Which of the following is true about the function of insulin? [Question from Dental Pulse- AIPG 2017]
- Increases lipolysis
- Increases gluconeogenesis
- Decreases gluconeogenesis
- Increases glycogenolysis
ANS: 3
So now think, will this fall under Biochemistry, Physiology, or General Medicine? Can you really draw a line? Truth is, all these subjects are intertwined—it’s our body we’re talking about!
I’m just sharing with you how to study and integrate them. Once you dive in, you’ll see how seamlessly they fit together.
- Pedodontics: Pedodontics is a great example of integrated studying. We study extraction(OMFS), root canal therapy(Endodontics), oral prophylaxis (Periodontics), and orthodontic appliances (Orthodontics) all at the same time making retention of these topics easy.
I think now you understand it clearly.
If you’re new to NEET-MDS prep, grasping and applying this concept not only makes learning easy but also saves you a ton of time.
How can you incorporate integrated learning into your preparation?
- Finish studying topics in one subject and when you find the same topic in a different subject, put both of them together, find the differences and study.
Example: We study megaloblastic anaemia in physiology and general medicine, now what you can do is note down the differences and extra points about it from both the subjects and study them together.
- Study the same topic from different subjects together.
Example: Again megaloblastic anaemia- study the cause (Pathology/Physiology), the clinical symptoms (General Medicine) and the treatment (Pharmacology) everything at once. Voila! Now you can answer a question about megaloblastic anaemia very easily.
- Solve more case-based questions.
More question solving, more understanding of the integrated way of questioning in the NEET-MDS exam, hence better scores.
There are a lot of coaching institutions out there that provide you with case-based test series and coaching for the NEET-MDS exam. To know more about these institutions check out: Should I join a coaching institute for MDS prep? List of 5 best institutes in India.
In wrapping up, think of integrated studying for NEET-MDS like a recipe for success: blend Oral Pathology with Radiology and Medicine, and voila! You’ve cooked up a solution to tackle any tricky exam question. It’s not just about passing the test; it’s about building a knowledge feast that nourishes your understanding for the long run. So, mix it up, connect the dots, and savour the sweet taste of preparedness!
