Academic and Wellness Outcomes Associated with use of Anki Spaced Repetition Software in Medical School

Jillian K Wothe; Lindsey J Wanberg; Rae D Hohle; Aliya A Sakher; Laura E Bosacker; Faizel Khan; Andrew Pj Olson; David J Satin

doi:10.1177/23821205231173289

Academic and Wellness Outcomes Associated with use of Anki Spaced Repetition Software in Medical School

J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2023 May 8:10:23821205231173289. doi: 10.1177/23821205231173289. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Jillian K Wothe¹, Lindsey J Wanberg¹, Rae D Hohle¹, Aliya A Sakher¹, Laura E Bosacker¹, Faizel Khan², Andrew Pj Olson^{2

3

4}, David J Satin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
² Medical Education Outcomes Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
³ Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
⁵ Department of Family Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Abstract

Objectives: Medical students are increasingly using a spaced repetition software called Anki to study. There are limited studies evaluating the relationship between Anki and learner outcomes. In this study, we describe the history of Anki use in medical school and assess the potential relationships between use of Anki and medical student academic, extracurricular, and wellness outcomes.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 50-item online survey and retrospective academic performance data from our institution's outcomes database. Participants were medical students. The survey assessed the frequency and timing of Anki use, student perceived stress, sleep quality, burnout risk, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Academic success was measured by USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores.

Results: 165 students responded survey. 92 (56%) identified as daily Anki users. Daily Anki use was correlated with increased Step 1 score (P = .039), but not Step 2 scores. There was an association between Anki use and increased sleep quality (P = .01), but no difference for other measurements of wellness or extracurricular involvement.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates potential benefits of daily use of Anki but also confirms that a variety of study methods can be used to achieve similar medical school outcomes.

Keywords: Anki; USMLE Step 1; USMLE Step 2; extracurricular; spaced repetition software; wellness.