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By: Kritika Goel A disturbing trend has been observed with research publications, hallucinated citations, and AI have a big hand in it. The use of large language models by researchers to conduct literature searches or format bibliographies is a common practice, but this is leading to the generation of non-existent academic references. Citation errors in publications are not uncommon; they may involve an incorrectly spelled author name or an incorrect year of publication, but

Information on the considerations of low dosage aspirin in pregnancy who should take it and why ?

Starting a private practice in Loudoun County takes more than just clinical skills. Whether you are a therapist, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or wellness provider, your success relies on careful planning, following regulations, and making smart choices about your location. When launching a private practice in Virginia professionaly a key early step is finding and preparing the right office space. This choice directly affects patient experience, efficiency, and growth in

By: Nicea Ali Are you looking for professional office space near Dulles Airport or One Loudoun? Well, if you are, then I have just the right thing for you! Improve Life PLLC is a psychiatry clinic based in Ashburn, Virginia, and is currently renting out office space. The space was completely renovated very recently and has beautiful decorations, thus serving the purpose of having a welcoming place for entertaining guests, having business meetings, or having events. About Impr

by Vibha Gutta | This blog highlights the risks of stopping medication use during pregnancy and steps to take to protect both the mother and the baby.

by Sarah Ghantiwala | This blog details PRISMA and PROSPERO, which are used in systematic review in research, such as research on the effect of analgesic use in pregnant women.

By: Doreen Adatsi | This blog discusses current research on the whether there is a link between Acetaminophen and Autism.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of executive suites and private medical office spaces?

By: Charlotte Woo Finding the right place to open or move a healthcare practice is a big decision. The space you choose will affect how comfortable your patients feel, how smoothly your office runs, and how easy it is for people to find you. For healthcare providers looking for medical office space Ashburn, VA, it helps to understand what to look for before signing a lease. Ashburn is one of the fastest-growing areas in Northern Virginia, and many healthcare providers choose

By: Lydia Ghebrezghi Before reading this article and watching the Instagram video, I didn’t really know what the term “pimping” meant, but I was familiar with the idea of being asked rapid, on-the-spot questions in a way that can feel stressful or uncomfortable. Reading about “toxic quizzing” helped me connect that experience to what actually happens in medical education. I had always thought that this kind of questioning was just a normal part of learning, but the article ma

By: Laksha Muruganandam Improve Life PLLC Research Intern In medical education, there is a controversial medical teaching practice which is known as “pimping.” Well, a synonym is none other than “toxic quizzing” and is more widely known as that. This “pimping” has been around for a long while despite it having a growing amount of criticism…and high controversy. Usually, this teaching practice has instructors sort of asking trainees quick, honest, and difficult questions. Thes

By: Srinika Kallem an Improve Life PLLC Research Intern Toxic quizzing, often referred to as “pimping,” is a practice in medical education used to challenge students in high-pressure scenarios. Though sometimes justified as preparation for clinical demands, this method undermines learning and confidence, causing more harm than benefit. One major concern with this approach is that it tends to focus heavily on memorization rather than true understanding. Medicine requires more

By Avni Loya Teaching by humiliation , commonly termed “pimping” is a widespread practice in medicine despite changes in systems and educational research. Although there isn't a universal definition, “pimping” often refers to a practice in which attendings question their trainees to establish an intellectual hierarchy. Often, “pimping” aims to cause shame or frustration. An attending will ask the trainees questions that involve rapid-fire factual recall rather than clinical u

This blog reflects on the use and harms of toxic quizzing in medicine.

This blog reflects on the effect of toxic quizzing as described in “Things We Do for No ReasonTM: Toxic Quizzing in Medical Education”.

By: Samiha Saifudeen Improve Life PLLC Research Intern “Toxic quizzing,” often referred to as “pimping,” remains a longstanding practice in medical education. While some educators defend it as a way to challenge students and encourage quick thinking, its real impact raises important concerns. Increasingly, evidence and student experiences suggest that, rather than enhancing learning, this approach may undermine both education and well-being. At its core, pimping is intended t

By Sarah Ghantiwala “Pimping” or "toxic quizzing”, in the context of medical education, is when an attending, physician, or resident asks a student to answer a clinical question on the spot while doing rounds. However, if the student answers incorrectly, rather than giving them constructive feedback, the attending, physician, or resident will incur a sense of shame, embarrassment, or intimidation on the student. This method of education is extremely toxic and relies heavily

By Samiha Saifudeen, Improve Life PLLC Intern “Toxic quizzing,” also known as “pimping,” is a practice in medical education that I think is more harmful than helpful, even if some people still defend it. After reading this article, it seems clear that while the intention behind pimping might be to push students to learn or think quickly, the way it is often done creates stress, embarrassment, and a negative learning environment. One of the biggest problems with pimping is tha

By Didi Abdelsalam, Improve Life PLLC Intern Pimping in medical education is a type of teaching in which a teacher poses questions to students in real time, in a rapid series that may become progressively harder. It is usually supported as a method of promoting critical thinking and maintaining the attention of the learners, particularly in an expedited clinical setting. Such a technique resembles active learning, in which students are engaged in remembering information, prac

Introduction: Why Trust and Verification Matter Trust is very important when you are looking for mental health support. Since you share personal experiences and challenges with that, making sure your provider is trained and qualified is very essential. For instance, some people may not have the credentials they claim to have, so be aware of that. Always check a therapist’s license and credentials before starting care. Why Licensing Is Important Now, let's talk about licensing