Mnemonic Researcher
Core Responsibility
Automatically research and find PROVEN, ESTABLISHED medical mnemonics from medical education sources when creating study guides.
CRITICAL: NEVER invent mnemonics. ALWAYS use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to find existing, validated mnemonics.
When This Activates
Prompt triggers:
- •"find mnemonics for [topic]"
- •"what are good mnemonics for [topic]"
- •"memory tricks for [topic]"
- •"how to remember [topic]"
- •"USMLE mnemonics for [topic]"
- •Creating study guides (automatic during creation)
File triggers:
- •Working with study guide files (
.docx,.xlsx,.html) - •Creating drug charts
- •Creating learning objectives guides
- •Creating clinical assessment guides
Intent patterns:
- •Need memorization aids for medical concepts
- •Creating study materials requiring mnemonics
- •Looking for memory tricks for drugs/diseases/anatomy
How This Works
Automatic Agent Invocation
When you need mnemonics, this skill automatically:
- •
Launches the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent
- •
Agent searches medical education sources:
- •Reddit r/medicalschool, r/step1, r/step2
- •StudentDoctor Network forums
- •USMLE resources
- •First Aid references
- •Sketchy/Pathoma mentions
- •Medical education blogs
- •
Agent returns comprehensive report:
- •Top 3 recommended mnemonics with reliability scores
- •Source links for each mnemonic
- •User feedback from medical students
- •Recommendations for USMLE vs general use
Required Action Pattern
When mnemonics are needed, you MUST:
I'll use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to find established mnemonics for [topic].
Then invoke the agent using the Task tool:
Use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to research mnemonics for [specific medical topic].
CRITICAL: Wait for the agent to complete and return the mnemonic research report before continuing with study guide creation.
Example Workflow
User request: "Create an Excel drug chart for HIV drugs"
Your response:
- •Complete pre-creation verification checklist
- •Read source file
- •Recognize need for mnemonics
- •Invoke agent: "I'll use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to find mnemonics for HIV drug classes"
- •Wait for agent report
- •Use mnemonics from report in the study guide
- •Include source attribution for each mnemonic
Agent Integration
When to Launch Agent
Launch the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent when:
- •Creating any study guide that includes mnemonic sections
- •User explicitly asks for mnemonics
- •Template requires "Memory tricks" or "Mnemonics" sections
- •Creating drug charts (need drug class mnemonics)
- •Creating anatomy guides (need anatomical mnemonics)
How to Launch Agent
Use the Task tool:
Task( subagent_type="general-purpose", description="Research medical mnemonics for [topic]", prompt="Use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to research established medical mnemonics for [specific topic]. Find PROVEN mnemonics from medical education sources (Reddit r/medicalschool, USMLE forums, First Aid, Sketchy, Pathoma). Return comprehensive report with top 3 mnemonics, reliability scores, and source links." )
Agent Output Format
The agent returns a structured report:
# Mnemonic Research Report: [Topic] ## Executive Summary [Top 3 recommended mnemonics] ## Top Recommended Mnemonics [Detailed breakdown with reliability scores] ## Sources and References [Direct links] ## Recommendations [Which to use and why]
Integration with Study Guide Creation
During Excel Drug Chart Creation
When creating Excel drug charts:
- •After reading source file
- •Before creating Tab 1 (Drug Details)
- •Launch agent for drug class mnemonics
- •Add "Memory Tricks" row after each drug class table
- •Use mnemonics from agent report
- •Attribute sources in footnote
During Word Study Guide Creation
When creating Word study guides:
- •After reading source file and template
- •For each learning objective
- •Launch agent for topic-specific mnemonics
- •Include mnemonics in learning objective answer section
- •Add to High-Yield Summary tab
- •Attribute sources
During HTML Guide Creation
When creating HTML guides:
- •After identifying all topics
- •Launch agent for comprehensive mnemonic list
- •Add mnemonics to Summary tab
- •Create dedicated "Memory Aids" section
- •Include source links
Quality Assurance
Mnemonic Validation Checklist
Before adding mnemonics to study guides, verify:
- •✓ Mnemonic came from agent report (not invented)
- •✓ Source link included
- •✓ Reliability score noted (3+ stars preferred)
- •✓ Acronym/phrase fully explained
- •✓ Medical accuracy verified against source file
What Gets BLOCKED
❌ Inventing mnemonics without research ❌ Using mnemonics without source attribution ❌ Adding mnemonics that contradict source material ❌ Skipping mnemonic research for study guides
Enforcement
This skill works with study guide creation workflow:
- •Suggests: "Use medical-mnemonic-researcher agent for mnemonics"
- •Does not block: Creation can proceed, but quality may suffer without mnemonics
- •High priority: Strongly recommended for all study guides
Examples
Example 1: HIV Drug Classes
Trigger: Creating Excel drug chart for HIV drugs
Skill activation:
I'll use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to find mnemonics for HIV drug classes (NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, integrase inhibitors).
Agent searches for:
- •NRTI mnemonic
- •NNRTI mnemonic
- •Protease inhibitor mnemonic
- •Integrase inhibitor mnemonic
Returns: Top 3 mnemonics for each class with sources
Result: Add to "Memory Tricks" row in drug table
Example 2: Cranial Nerves
Trigger: Creating anatomy study guide
Skill activation:
I'll use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to research cranial nerve mnemonics.
Agent searches for:
- •Cranial nerve names mnemonic
- •Cranial nerve functions mnemonic
- •Sensory/motor classification mnemonic
Returns: Classic mnemonics with reliability scores
Result: Add to anatomy learning objective section
Example 3: Heart Failure Signs
Trigger: Creating clinical assessment guide for heart failure
Skill activation:
I'll use the medical-mnemonic-researcher agent to find mnemonics for heart failure signs and symptoms.
Agent searches for:
- •Left-sided heart failure symptoms
- •Right-sided heart failure symptoms
- •Decompensated heart failure criteria
Returns: Mnemonics for clinical presentations
Result: Add to clinical decision tree section
Troubleshooting
Agent not launching
Check:
- •Is medical-mnemonic-researcher.md in
.claude/agents/directory? - •Is Task tool available?
- •Is subagent_type specified correctly?
Fix: Verify agent file exists and launch manually
No mnemonics found
Agent will report:
- •"No established mnemonics found for [topic]"
- •Suggests alternative memory strategies
- •Notes to create custom mnemonic but mark as unvalidated
Action: Document in study guide: "No established mnemonic found. Create custom memory aid if needed (mark with *)."
Mnemonics conflict with source
Agent validates against medical accuracy
If conflict found:
- •Agent notes the discrepancy
- •Recommends most accurate version
- •Warns about outdated mnemonics
Action: Prioritize source file accuracy over mnemonic
Best Practices
- •Launch agent early - Before creating study guide content
- •Research comprehensively - Ask for multiple related mnemonics in one agent call
- •Verify accuracy - Cross-check mnemonics against source material
- •Attribute sources - Always include source links
- •Prefer high-reliability - Use 4-5 star mnemonics when available
- •Update when needed - If agent finds outdated mnemonics, note in study guide
Progressive Disclosure
This skill is lightweight:
- •Main instructions: This file (~300 lines)
- •Agent file: Loaded only when agent launched
- •Deep-dive resources: Loaded on-demand when needed
Performance: Agent call takes 30-60 seconds, but provides comprehensive mnemonic research that would take 5-10 minutes manually.
Deep-Dive Resources
For comprehensive guidance on mnemonic research:
Research Methodology - Detailed guide to the agent's research sources (r/medicalschool, First Aid, SDN), evaluation criteria, and reliability ranking system
Note: Resources provide deep-dive into how the agent finds and validates mnemonics. Load when you need to understand the research methodology.
Remember: The medical-mnemonic-researcher agent is your automation tool for finding PROVEN medical mnemonics. Always use it instead of inventing mnemonics.