Clinical Rotations: Using Flashcards on the Ward (Pocket Decks That Work)

Primary keyword: flashcards clinical rotations

Intro (humanized):
On my first rotation I realized I couldn’t carry a textbook everywhere. What did fit was a slim deck of cards — ten cards for that week’s common conditions. I used them between rounds, on tea breaks, and before presenting patients. This post shows how to build pocket decks that are practical, clinical, and ward-friendly.

What a good ward deck contains

  • 3–5 common presentations for the unit (e.g., chest pain, fever, altered sensorium).

  • Key diagnostics (first-line tests, thresholds).

  • One management card for initial steps and red flags.

Building a pocket deck in 30 minutes

  • Identify 5 common diagnoses for the rotation.

  • For each diagnosis, create 3 cards: Presentation, Initial Tests, Immediate Management.

  • Total deck: 15 cards — reviewable during 10-minute breaks.

Example: Internal medicine ward pocket deck (sample cards)

  • Card A1 (Presentation): “Chest pain: key history points to rule out ACS?” Back: crushing pain, radiation, diaphoresis, vomiting, risk factors.

  • Card A2 (Initial tests): “What 3 tests do you order immediately?” Back: ECG, Troponin, CXR.

  • Card A3 (Immediate management): “Initial steps for suspected ACS?” Back: Oxygen if hypoxic, MONA as per protocol, arrange cardiology consult.

Using cards during teaching rounds

  • Before presenting a patient, quiz yourself with the pocket deck relevant to that patient's complaint.

  • After rounds, convert any interesting findings into new cards.

Ethics & patient privacy

  • Never include identifying patient information on flashcards. Use anonymized clinical patterns only.

CTA: Want a template pocket deck for Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, or OBGYN you can import into Medulla? Tell me which rotation and I’ll prep it.

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