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The Evolution Of Medical Education: Leveraging New Tools For Career Advancement

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The Evolution Of Medical Education: Leveraging New Tools For Career Advancement

As with many fields, the realm of medical education is in constant evolution. Traditional methods of teaching, like hours-long lectures and textbook studies, are gradually giving way to more dynamic, immersive and technologically advanced approaches. This evolution in medical education, while challenging, provides a remarkable opportunity for students and professionals to advance their careers by harnessing these new tools. 

Let s dive into five of the most impactful tools reshaping the landscape of medical education.

1. Medical Animation

Medical animation has revolutionized the way medical concepts are taught. This unique blend of technology and creativity enables detailed visualization of complex physiological processes, procedures, and treatments, which were previously limited to 2D textbook diagrams. It provides a 3D interactive platform where students can observe and manipulate biological systems, leading to a deeper understanding. 

For career advancement, medical animation opens up an entirely new arena for those interested in combining their artistic abilities with medical knowledge.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) And Augmented Reality (AR)

VR and AR have taken medical education to a completely new dimension. 

These technologies offer a hands-on learning experience by simulating real-life scenarios. With VR, medical students can practice surgical procedures in a risk-free environment, while AR allows them to overlay digital information onto the physical world, enhancing their understanding of human anatomy and complex procedures. For career advancement, mastering these technologies can place individuals at the forefront of innovative patient care and instruction.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML are reshaping medical education by personalizing learning experiences and providing predictive analytics for educational guidance. These technologies can help identify a student s strengths and weaknesses, tailor learning pathways, and provide feedback in real-time. AI can also simulate patient encounters, allowing students to gain crucial diagnostic experience. 

Professionals who leverage AI and ML in their practices not only improve their diagnostic and treatment outcomes but also place themselves in a favorable position in the job market.

4. Telemedicine

Telemedicine has exploded in popularity due to its convenience and necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has expanded the learning opportunities for medical students who can now observe and participate in patient care remotely. 

By gaining proficiency in telemedicine technologies, medical professionals can broaden their career opportunities, offering healthcare services across geographical boundaries, and gaining exposure to a wider range of patient cases.

5. E-Learning Platforms

The rise of online learning platforms has democratized access to medical education. These platforms provide a wide array of courses, from basic anatomy to complex surgical procedures, that can be accessed from anywhere. They also promote interactive learning through discussion forums, quizzes, and peer assessments. 

Acquiring new knowledge and skills through these platforms can help medical professionals stay updated and competitive in their fields.

In Conclusion

The evolution of medical education is a clear signal that we are living in an era of rapid technological advancements. By leveraging these new tools, medical students and professionals can ensure they stay at the forefront of their fields, ready to deliver the best possible patient care. 

In the end, the real winners of this evolution are the patients who benefit from the enhanced skills and knowledge of their healthcare providers.

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How Playing TETRIS® Teaches Lessons In Strategy
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How Playing TETRIS® Teaches Lessons In Strategy

Nearly every day, I play TETRIS® “B-Type” to awaken my brain. The games are short, and my goal is to clear three consecutive games.

Playing helps me with focus in beginning my day. The more successful I am at reaching my three-game goal, the more focused I know I am. Days when that goal is a challenge, I recognize I may not be fully present.

The game teaches me to remember strategy. As an engineering executive/project manager, strategy plays into my work daily. I am continuously working on how to position my team for the next challenge, how to prevent problems, and moving assets into place. Sound familiar?

What Is B-Type TETRIS®?

B-type Tetris

TETRIS is a geometric puzzle where pieces of various shapes drop to form rows. Each shape is made of four blocks, randomly presented for placement. When a row of ten blocks completes, they clear from the game board. Clearing multiple rows is strongly encouraged, and when clearing four rows in one placement, you have earned a “TETRIS.”

B-type TETRIS begins with random blocks and pieces already in place. The blocks fall to clear the “mess” given by the system. Users may select speed of how fast the blocks fall and select the level of height of the predefined blocks.

Winning B-type TETRIS is achieved by clearing 25 rows before stacking the pieces filling the board. If a piece falls immediately colliding with another piece, the game is over. When you win, the game rewards the player with clever Russian-style graphics.

TETRIS® & Strategy?

Tetris electronic game, video game

Project management and engineering are similar. Required work has a series of constraints at the beginning of every project (random blocks placed on the board). Each project is within a predefined time schedule (speed of the game). Each unplanned act of people or assets creates challenges (random pieces generated by the game).

Your goal as a leader… clear your 25 rows before ending the game. In a perfect world, you will clear rows cleanly eliminating all preplaced blocks at the same time. The execution of your project clears the game board.

Taking One Row Making Small Progress Versus A Full TETRIS® Clearing Multiple Lines?

Tetris

My goal as a teenager was to clear four rows with a “TETRIS” every single time! You build these patterns and drop a straight piece clearing four rows simultaneously! The screen blinks beautifully signaling your victory!

With B-type, you have the reality of obstacles. You cannot always build the perfect four-row structure to clear everything at once. You need to work sometimes one row at a time.

Working one row is more time consuming. You carefully place blocks into structures to eliminate your 25 rows with individual placements.

Building for the TETRIS takes strategy. You sacrifice clearing a row to allow the height to accumulate. You place blocks hoping to drop the straight piece and clear the rows. Then reality hits…

The system randomly generates blocks. What if the straight piece does not come? What if you only get square pieces three times in a row? How do you win if the system will not provide the piece you need?

Enter strategy… you may need to sacrifice the TETRIS you are building and only clear one or two rows. Other times, you may risk continuing to build height of the structure making losing more probable.

As a leader of multiple projects, I typically take the quick victories and clear the obstacles as I can. Making small progress is often better than losing the game entirely. I work through the little pieces in hopes the bigger issues will resolve themselves during the process.

When responsible, you need to weigh your options carefully. Make sure any single points of failure (the straight piece) has a back-up plan. Going for gold is sometimes your only choice. Simply step back and be prepared to pivot when the game does not deliver.

Waiting For That Perfect Piece To Clear A Roadblock…

Tetris puzzle pieces

With the predefined blocks set at random, the game often shows the player the perfect shape to clear a problem. The shape teases you showing how easy it is to clear the jam and provide more room on the board. It taunts me.

In complex projects, leaders often rely on the perfect piece. Sadly, the random pieces do not always come through. I have had some luck in my career in finding the perfect piece to clear my rows. More often than not, I work with what the game has given me.

If the game does not provide the perfect piece, how do you respond? You need to sacrifice a long-term goal (building a TETRIS) with a short-term gain (clearing one row). Leaders must recognize this missing element, and the hard choice is taking one row versus four.

What Happens When You Cannot Clear Your Lines?

Tetris video game

I lose more than I win. Somedays, my mind is unfocused and I do not win a single game.

I always work to build the lines and clear them consistently. I risk building a taller structure versus the consistent wins. My stack gets too high, pieces collide, and I lose. GAME OVER.

Is it really? I can press start twice and begin again. New game, new random pieces. I can change the rules by slowing the speed or lowering the height. I can manipulate variables to help me win.

Me, I am stubborn… fastest speed and tallest height every time. And I lose. Why do I continue to play with these constraints?

Projects come in all levels of complexity and development cycles. Most projects are highly complex and have just enough time to complete. Then, you add the random elements you did not anticipate.

In projects, you will fail. Missing a deadline, failing a test, forgetting a requirement, and simply missing the mark. Depending on your response, you can recover. You can ask the customer to play again. You can adjust the parameters. You can accept 23 of the 25 lines as success.

You can learn from the game not everything is a zero-sum total. You can plan for everything to be right and still miss because the perfect piece never fell. You can build that structure and create a collision.

By learning these lessons, I make better decisions in subsequent games. I learn from the mistakes when I play again. I never truly lose.

How Is Any Of This Gameplay Relevant To Me?

Tetris puzzle

TETRIS® is the mechanism I chose for some entertainment. Some fun as you read my words. The game is not important.

Projects are never linear; they are geometric. Time rarely runs in your favor and is often behind when you begin. The roadblocks to success provide obstacles within your path. Random pieces will fall towards you during the project.

The lesson… learn from the mistakes and make better decisions within the game. Use the applied knowledge for the next play. Take risks when it makes sense, and choosing quick wins can reap rewards.

TETRIS® is an amazing game, and the game will be played many decades from now. I enjoy the three-minute challenges it presents me daily. I love how it reminds me of life lessons to apply in my work. I challenge you to look at something you enjoy and see lessons it teaches you. I encourage you to play TETRIS—it may help with your strategy to deal with life’s challenges.

Good luck, and clear those lines!






Yes, Pay Attention To The Metaverse
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Yes, Pay Attention To The Metaverse

The metaverse is coming. Are you prepared? If you are struggling to understand what the metaverse is, why it matters, and if you should pay attention to it, you are not alone. It’s estimated that the metaverse is expected to reach $679 billion by 2030 with a handful of companies jumping in from Meta (formerly Facebook), Roblox, Gucci, to artists like Tory Lanez.

The metaverse has been referred to as the next new internet era. It consists of three core technologies:

  • A virtual world focused on social connection where people can work, play, and shop.
  • A digital twin of yourself that mirrors the real world in a virtual world, allowing you to go anywhere you want.
  • A digital economy where you can create, buy, and sell goods.

Just like real life, the metaverse provides many opportunities to do things in real-time like go to concerts, attend events, play games, go on dates, listen to music, shop, and even work. Here are three examples of the metaverse and how it can apply to you.

Virtual Reality

We could be spending more time in virtual reality sooner than we expect. Virtual reality has been around for some time now within video games, entertainment, medicine, and even education.

So what is it? Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by using special electronic equipment: a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors. VR implies a complete immersion experience, giving you the impression that you’re somewhere else while shutting out the real world.

Several companies are dabbling with VR experiences.

  • Roblox has become the go-to platform for brands to experiment in this space. Chipotle hosted a virtual restaurant where visitors could receive a free burrito coupon. The Gucci Garden experience was an event where users could hang out in themed garden spaces, go shopping, and wear exclusive Gucci virtual items. Hyundai Mobility Adventure featured popular vehicles and future mobility solutions. In the Vans World, players could skateboard in various parks, customize their appearance, and purchase clothes to wear back in the real world. Lil Nas X dazzled fans with a virtual concert experience that attracted 30 million visits to the event.
  • Wave platform is a virtual entertainment company and is the popular landing page for live shows where artists can perform a concert in an immersive experience that allows for collaborations in creative ways. The entertainment experience is the most realistic live performance experience in the world. Waves are live, interactive shows that utilize live music and broadcast technology creating a live virtual experience that is exceptional. Recent virtual shows include Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Lindsey Stirling, to name a few.

Far fetched, not really. VR is an excellent opportunity for businesses to create an immersive experience that promotes engagement. Here are some ideas to think about as you ponder how to dip your toe into this space:

  • Employee Training: Train employees on everyday work scenarios in a virtual environment before moving on to the real thing. Think doctors/surgeons trying out new tools and procedures in a safe simulated environment, pilots utilizing flight simulators, teachers testing their teaching methods in a virtual classroom, to the military using it for simulation (flight, battlefield, and vehicle), medic training, and virtual boot camp.
  • Events: Companies can attract customers to host events at their facility by leveraging VR to see a 360-degree view of a custom-designed room set up. On the other hand, individuals can attend events in the form of an avatar, interacting with other attendees, walking the floor, and listening to speakers.
  • Marketing, Sales & Retail: Customers can visit a virtual showroom, pop-up or retail location, interact with a sales representative, and try out the merchandise (i.e a new car, furniture, jewelry, clothing, etc.). These virtual store simulation environments are a great way to test out new designs, signage, product displays without committing to a real-world store layout.

Augmented Reality

Companies are seeking out innovative ways for consumers to experience their brands. Augmented reality may be the answer to cultivating brand awareness and encouraging brand loyalty.

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that augments your experience of the real world, enhancing it with sound, touch, and even smell. AR is designed to add to the things you already do like work, play, shop, explore, and have fun.

While still in its early days, here are three companies leading the way with AR:

  • Nintendo’s Pokemon Go: One can’t talk about AR without mentioning the hugely popular Pokemon Go that brought AR into the mainstream, generating $2B in-app purchases. The AR experience involved finding Pokemons on a real-world map. When you get to the location, you use your camera to see them in the ‘real world’ via your phone screen and then catch them.
  • Snapchat: Snapchat is leading the AR revolution, reimagining AR experiences with the following:
    • Connected Lens: This allows two Snapchat users to share an interactive AR experience, whether sitting side-by-side in the same room or miles apart.
    • Scan: Users scan to find a song, shop, calculate a math problem, and more.
    • Cartoon 3D Style: Turn yourself into a cartoon character with this filter.
    • Local Lens: Launching ‘City Painter’ enabling users to virtually spray paint above London’s Carnaby street’s shops, decorating them with pre-created murals.
  • IKEA: Ikea Place is an AR app that lets you take products for a virtual spin before you buy them. Shoppers can now seamlessly go from visualizing how furniture might look in their home to purchasing in a few easy steps.

Here are three ways you can utilize augmented reality in your business:

  1. Try Before You Buy: AR is a great way for customers to try products before they buy—clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, cars, home goods, and much more.
  2. User/Instruction Manuals: AR provides a digital interface that displays the content visually during setup, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and demonstration.
  3. Brand Materials: Scan marketing materials with your mobile device to access a range of features such as a video, speak with a customer service representative, or access a digital coupon.

NFTs

We’ve seen incredible interest in NFTs, especially in the music vertical. What will this trend bring to the table for indie music artists who can fund their projects with NFT drops, independent of record labels?

Let’s run this back. NFT stands for non-fungible token and is supported by cool technology called blockchain. Consider this blockchain example: Let’s pretend a french bulldog lives in your home and the backbone or the spine of the Frenchy controls a lot of its functions where the spine is very complicated with nerves, bone, individual vertebrae units, muscles, etc. You could consider blockchain as the backbone for NFTs and is an extremely impressive technology that is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system and, at the end of the day, is just cool.

Four important things to consider:

1. Creation

  • The blockchain concept creates a non-interchangeable unit of data or a digital ledger form that can be sold or traded.
  • NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and audio.
  • NFTs can be bought and sold, usually with ETH, a popular cryptocurrency such as Solana that is getting a lot of attention. Solana is an open-source blockchain with tech that solves scalability through speed. This has become an interesting investment option and extremely popular among music artists.

2. Minting

You can mint your NFT, which is an innovative way to guarantee that you get credit for an original creation. For simplicity’s sake, as all minting platforms are a little different in their approach, you can upload a digital asset for minting which processes information in a blockchain format and creates a record in preparation for a sale. The information may include royalties paid to the artist, a description, and a link to your website. Your NFT is then put up for sale (think Shopify type of storefront). Some of the more popular marketplace sites are OpenSea or Looks Rare.

3. Leaders

An artist who has been successful in the space includes Tory Lanez who, in addition to the gorgeous use of color and style in the artwork, dropped his music in a 7 songs/7 works of art format. The story goes that E NFT Marketplace (Emmersive Entertainment) sold out his “When It’s Dark by Tory Lanez” collection of 1 million units in under 1 minute. Each unit was $1.00 and he sold out placing the album in his self-acclaimed notation of “Platinum Album Sales.” According to Google, one of his NFTs has already flipped from that sale to $50,000 value. Exciting. This is a way for artists and creators to have ownership instead of the current indie artist hustle which includes posting on social media and hoping for brand deals, streaming revenue, etc. This is the future.

To say that the industry is an interesting investment strategy for consumers has proven to be an understatement. Will you be the next investor in digital assets like NFTs and cash in on the hype?

4. Practical Implementation

Learning how to use NFTs in your brand can help improve brand recognition, loyalty, and create unique experiences for customers.

  • Reward customers by issuing limited edition items like Coca-Cola did by creating a “loot box.”
  • Raise funds for social causes such as memorabilia and sell for causes in your community.
  • Build brand loyalty by educating customers on trending topics around NFTs, AR, VR, Metaverse, and WEB3.

While we don’t know exactly what the metaverse will become, this next moment in time will have gigantic implications for our society. The metaverse will unlock new opportunities from VR, AR, NFTs, and more for companies, brands, professionals, communities, artists, and those who choose to engage. While there is a risk, the potential is huge and we’re still in its infancy. Are you prepared for the future of the metaverse?

How To Properly Quit Your Job
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How To Properly Quit Your Job

You’re ready to make a change in your career and have secured a new job (hopefully!). Now, it’s time to quit your current job.

First things first: Unless we’re talking about an extreme circumstance, you should never walk into your boss’ office and say “I quit!” That’s unprofessional and could have severe professional consequences in the future.

It’s important to maintain your personal brand as a hardworking professional. The way you end this career chapter is part of that brand.

Here’s how to be professional when you quit your job:

Give A Proper Notice

Since we’re talking about being professional, we should probably say “resign” instead of “quit.” If you do things right, you won’t leave the company high and dry. Instead, you’ll give your team proper notice so they can plan accordingly.

A proper notice of resignation is typically two weeks. Sometimes people are in a position to give a longer notice and sometimes people give a shorter notice, depending on the company policy and what you’ve negotiated for as part of your new job.

If you’re in a position where you have to give a shorter notice, such as one week, make sure to clearly explain the situation to your boss, apologize for the inconvenience, and ask if there’s anything extra you can do in your last week to help ease their transition.

Be Polite And Grateful

Young professional giving resignation to boss during a meeting

Resignations should always be done in person. That said, you’ll want to have a paper trail to cover your bases if anything happens, so be sure to email your boss your resignation letter immediately following your conversation.

Once you’re face-to-face with your boss, explain that you felt the time was right to make a change and you came across a new opportunity that you ultimately thought would be a better fit. Be humble and thank your boss for the opportunity to work with the company and wish your boss and company well.

In many ways, your conversation with your boss will mirror your resignation letter: short and to the point.

If you have concerns or complaints about the company, avoid airing them out during your resignation. Unless there’s a terrible reason for your leaving that could put others in harm’s way, don’t bring up your drama.

If your boss asks for feedback, keep it constructive, short, and to the point. If you can offer some minor feedback that may improve the company, then give it a try, but there’s no need to dissect every issue the company may have.

Finish The Job Strong

Coworkers talk while they work on a project

As legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would say, “Do your job!”

Just because you’re leaving the company doesn’t mean you should slack off. Continue to work hard and be fully engaged with the job until the very end.

It’s important to leave the job on a positive note because you want to have some professional references for future job searches.

In addition, former bosses and colleagues are great people to have in your professional network. You never know when a past professional connection could help you score a new job in the future.

Be Sure To Say Goodbye

Woman packs up her desk before leaving her job

The last day on the job is a good time to sew up future professional references and discuss ways to keep in touch with former co-workers. Some jobs require exit interviews. But if that’s not the case with your job, make an effort to visit your boss one last time.

It’s a good idea to again express gratitude for the opportunity to work at the company.

Leave on good terms with as many people as possible.

Positivity and professionalism are the keys to leaving any job. Jobs are temporary but the legacy you leave behind as an employee remains.

Whenever possible, you want to enter and leave each opportunity on a positive note because each experience tells a story about yourself as a professional.

With career changes happening more frequently now, it’s more important than ever to have a strong background of positive experiences with former employers. Follow the tips above to properly quit your job and leave on a good note.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.