title: Tips for remembering names and other important information.
abstract: A good memory is a tremendous asset to any medical practice employee. Remembering details, names, steps, facts, and figures can improve one's productivity, efficiency, and relationships. The good news is that every employee can improve his or her memory simply by valuing a good memory and practicing effective mnemonic techniques. This article suggests that focusing more on material you will want to remember will improve your retention of that information. It offers five basic rules for improving your memory--concentrate, picture, repeat, associate, and verbalize. This article also offers practical tips for remembering patients' names and faces, a skill especially useful in a busy and/or large practice. This article also provides techniques for remembering a list in order and for recalling jokes to use in social and work situations. Finally, this article suggests the importance of remembering and using personal news about patients and describes a practical technique for keeping track of this information.
authors.affiliation: merlegerle@aol.com
authors.forename: Laura Sachs
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hills
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008568:Memory; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011216:Practice Management, Medical