- Introduction
- Medicine and Programming
- How to start learning Programming
- learning media
INTRODUCTION :
The ability to construct simple computer programs is being progressively recognized as a life skill. Programming is now taught to primary-school children worldwide, but current medical students usually lack coding skills, and current measures of computer literacy for medical students focus on the use of software and internet safety. There is a need to train a cohort of doctors who can both practice medicine and engage in development of useful, innovative technologies to increase efficiency and adapt to the modern medical world.
MEDICINE AND PROGRAMMING :
As a medical student, medical school alone is extremely tasking, now adding programming to it. Only a few people can manage, others might lose their sanity. Combining both would take an enormous amount of effort. However, if after months of combining and things don't work out, it is advisable to take a break off programming till maybe holidays. This is because programming can be learnt anytime while medicine can not be learnt outside school.
HOW TO START LEARNING PROGRAMMING
Before you start learning programming the biggest mistake you can make as an aspiring programmer is giving up because you don't think you're smart enough to learn how to program.
Choose a language to learn - It is recommended to start with Python as it is simple like English and so easy learn. But you may choose a language that interests you and also based on the project that you would like to develop in the future. So if you plan to develop a mobile app you may want to begin with Java or Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS, and if you want to build a website, JavaScript is suggested to begin with. For a profession like data science, AI & ML, Python & R are the languages to study.
Focus on learning the basics of that language - Many tend to jump into learning Frameworks without strong foundation in the basics. This is akin to building a house on sand, it would always collapse.
Focus on one language at a time - At first, it becomes overwhelming and you feel like you can learn everything at once. Resist that feeling for you would just be a jack of all trades and master of none.
You should be willing to ask question. As a self-starter, you must always be willing to ask question when stuck. It is a great skill to have. If a current topic you're learning doesn't make sense to you, stay where you are, Do not proceed to the next topic. Skipping is like trying to attach a roof to a house that lacks a frame, wall, and a foundation.
Belong to a developer community. There you get tips and motivation by finding people who are just starters like you.
Build projects while learn. You don't have to be strong in math to be a programmer. Math skills can be helpful, but they are not necessary.
Leverage "Stack Overflow" - This is where programmers can get free help with their code. If stuck and want to ask question, search for it first because there are higher chances that someone else may have asked same question. However, if you can't find the question, create an account and post the question yourself!
Learning Media
- Interactive websites such as FreeCodeCamp...
- Video tutorials - YouTube, Udemy, Cousera...
Ending with below quote:
We should judge people by peak of excellence, but by the distance they have travelled from the point where they started.
- Henry Ward Beecher.
Thanks for reading.