ACRONYMS: do they work for you? (or "ADTWFY", "addtuufee").)

[mycrofft]

I know some people who are devils for acronyms as mnemonics, and others who just shrug them off. Good instructors do for both. How about you? Any good ones to share?

 

[mycrofft]

Stepping off: MIDE versus IMDE versus IMDD (and "IMHO")

The only use for acronyms I have (due to my memory trouble) is to remember the different types of triage (due to my memory problems): tactical/military, versus civilian EMS, versus CERT, (versus informed bystander).

I...DID get them right, didn't I?

 

[RyanMidd]

There's no response for "I find some acronyms useful, and others not so much."

As far as remembering things during scenarios, for sure.

As far as real-world protocol..not so much.

 

[Griff]

When I was active duty I was taught an acronym for cranial nerves; it was quite sexist and rude, but now I am the only person in my medic class (five years later) that can recite/diagram them without trouble. I couldn't tell you the "official" acronym used in my program (the other students probably couldn't either ). Some mnemonics are better than others, I suppose. ^_^

 

[mycrofft]

"Ten Zebras Bit My Can"?

That is the ONLY mnemonic I remember from school and I htink it is wrong and I can't remember what they were supposed to mean anyway.

 

[VFFforpeople]

I used to use SAMPLE and OPQRST in the order. Now I use it as a starting point and I pick and chose what questions I ask. They can be helpful when your first starting out, helps give an outline of what to ask. Some cases like KED or the body system has some good ones as well to give a general idea to keep in your head.

 

[MSDeltaFlt]

I don't use mnemonics. I assess and treat from head to toe according to mechanism of injury and chief complaint using common sense and plain English.

 

[Seaglass]

I can go either way. If they're presented, I'll learn them and find them useful. If not, I don't miss them.

When I was active duty I was taught an acronym for cranial nerves; it was quite sexist and rude, but now I am the only person in my medic class (five years later) that can recite/diagram them without trouble. I couldn't tell you the "official" acronym used in my program (the other students probably couldn't either ). Some mnemonics are better than others, I suppose. ^_^

I think you probably learned the same one I did...