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BACKGROUND: The establishment of new anatomy facilities needs to accommodate a combination of modern teaching modalities that best align with evidence-based best teaching practices. This article describes the process in which our state-of-the-art anatomy laboratories were designed and implemented, and how these facilities support aspects of modern anatomy education. METHODS: A list of best practices for anatomy education in a modern medical curriculum was summarized from the literature. To assess student satisfaction, a survey related to student perception of the anatomy facilities (5-point Likert scale) was conducted. RESULTS: Our educational modalities include a broad range of teaching approaches. The Instructional Studio houses prosected and plastinated specimens, and cadaveric dissections are performed. Each of our three Dry Laboratories allow for active learning and interaction between small student groups. The Webinar Room acts as a conference room for departmental and online meetings, discussions with students, and dialogues with affiliated hospitals via the internet. The Imaging Center is equipped with a Sectra® medical educational platform, CAE Vimedix® Virtual Medical Imaging Ultrasound Training System, and Philipps Lumify® Ultrasound devices to train students to conduct and interpret sonographic images. Moreover, the Complete Anatomy® program is made available to all our students. CONCLUSION: The layout of our newly created Anatomy Facilities allows for all aspects of modern medical education mentioned in the literature. These educational modalities and teaching approaches are highly appreciated by our faculty and students. Moreover, these technologies allowed for a smooth transition from on-site anatomy teaching to online education during the COVID pandemic.
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Anatomia , COVID-19 , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Dissecação/educação , Currículo , Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Cadáver , Anatomia/educação , EnsinoRESUMO
PURPOSE: Anatomy has historically been taught via traditional medical school lectures and dissection. In many countries, practical or legal issues limit access to cadaveric dissection. New technologies are favored by students and could improve learning, complementing traditional teaching. METHODS: All students in second-year medicine at a single medical school were submitted to a novel anatomical course with digital tool exposure. We explored a new combined teaching method: a physical blackboard lesson synchronized with digital dissection, imaging and direct evaluation (BDIE). Synchronized dissection is broadcast live in the classroom and in partner medical schools. Following the course, students completed a short survey about their perception of this new anatomic clinical course. RESULTS: The survey included 183 students whom 178 completed the questionnaire, i.e., a 97% response rate. Ninety-nine percent of students thought this synchronized method useful to improve their understanding of anatomy and 90% stated it helped them retain this learning. CONCLUSION: This BDIE method, in conjunction with teaching guidelines and dissection, is highly appreciated by students who consider it helps them to acquire lasting knowledge.
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Anatomia , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Anatomia/educação , Cadáver , Currículo , Dissecação/educação , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Avaliação Educacional , Humanos , Faculdades de Medicina , EnsinoRESUMO
Few discussions regarding instructional methods incite as much passion as the debate over dissection versus prosection. Despite numerous analyses, few studies have isolated the impact of dissection versus prosection from the numerous variables that are involved in anatomy education. This study used a retrospective design to assess the effect of peer teaching with dissection or prosection on anatomical knowledge retention of the peer teachers. Exam scores were analyzed from three cohorts of students (N = 184) who were enrolled in a Musculoskeletal System course in an allopathic medical school between academic years 2014-2017. Students in the first 2 yr learned anatomy of an assigned region through traditional dissection, whereas students in the third year learned anatomy of the same regions on prosected specimens. The effect of these instructional methods on anatomical knowledge retention was measured by student performance on a teaching-readiness quiz, written exam, and practical examination. One advantage of this study is the stability of variables between cohorts. Student groups peer taught the same objectives; course sequencing and content remained consistent between years; students spent the same amount of time learning their material, regardless of learning modality (dissection or prosection); and students were tested in the same manner. Comparisons of student performance data suggest that anatomy knowledge was equivalent, regardless of the instructional method (dissection or prosected cadavers) but is strongly associated with prior anatomy experience. Findings from this study support previous studies that conclude that there are no disparities in the effectiveness of learning anatomy via dissection or prosection.
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Anatomia/educação , Dissecação/educação , Modelos Educacionais , Grupo Associado , Retenção Psicológica , Estudantes de Medicina , Ensino , Adulto , Cadáver , Compreensão , Currículo , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Avaliação Educacional , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The teaching of human anatomy is often based on practices of cadaver dissection and prosected specimens. However, exposure to human cadavers might be stressful and anxiety-inducing for students. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of satisfaction and anxiety among first-year students in the Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Nursing programmes at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) who are experiencing their first dissection/prosection practice to develop stress coping strategies. METHODS: A total of 204 health sciences students participated in this study. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to evaluate anxiety. RESULTS: 'State Anxiety' (SA) decreased significantly throughout the course (p < 0.05), from 20.7 ± 19.29 to 13.7 ± 11.65 points. Statistical differences (p < 0.05) in SA were found between the different health sciences, and pre-practice SA was significantly different from post-practice SA. The students with the highest pre-practice SA levels were nursing students (31.8 ± 33.7 points), but medical students had the highest post-practice SA levels (18.4 ± 12.82 points). CONCLUSIONS: Although students were satisfied with dissection practices (96.8% of them recommended that the practices be retained for future courses), the experience can provoke stressful responses that must be addressed using advanced preparation and coping mechanisms, especially among medical and nursing students.
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Anatomia/educação , Ansiedade/psicologia , Dissecação/educação , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Estresse Psicológico/prevenção & controle , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Adaptação Psicológica , Adulto , Ansiedade/prevenção & controle , Cadáver , Dissecação/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Espanha , Estresse Psicológico/psicologiaRESUMO
The terminal collection and histological processing of medical devices is an expensive, labor-, and material-intensive endeavor, which requires adequate experience, innovation, and preparation for success. It is also an exciting endeavor that continually challenges, intellectually engages, and improves the skills and knowledge of the pathologist. Awareness of the importance of the medical device pathologist's involvement, communication, and oversight throughout the development, implementation, and execution of a nonclinical assessment of a medical device is in the best interest of the test facility, the histopathology laboratory, the pathologist, the sponsor, and, ultimately, the patients. This article serves to present as a primer of key considerations for the approach and conduct of "nontoxicological" studies, defined as studies involving animal models of deployment or implantation of medical devices as well as surgical animal models.
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Aprovação de Equipamentos/normas , Segurança de Equipamentos/métodos , Equipamentos e Provisões/normas , Patologia/métodos , Animais , Pesquisa Biomédica , Técnicas Histológicas/métodos , Técnicas Histológicas/normas , Modelos Animais , Patologia/normas , Testes de ToxicidadeRESUMO
Gross anatomy laboratories frequently utilize dissection or prosection formats within medical curricula. Practical examination scores are consistent across the formats, yet these examinations assessed larger anatomical structures. In contrast, a single report noted improved scores when prosection was used in the hand and foot regions, areas that are more difficult to dissect. The incorporation of prosected donors within "Head and Neck" laboratories provided an opportunity to further characterize the impact of prosection in a structurally complex area. Retrospective analysis of 21 Head and Neck practical examination questions was completed to compare scores among cohorts that utilized dissection exclusively or incorporated prosection. Mean scores of practical examination questions were significantly higher in the prosection cohort (84.27% ± 12.69) as compared with the dissection cohort (75.59% ± 12.27) (p < 0.001). Of the 12 questions that performed better in the prosection cohort (88.42% ± 8.21), 10 items mapped to deeper anatomical regions. By comparison, eight of nine questions in the dissection cohort outperformed (88.44% ± 3.34) the prosection cohort (71.74% ± 18.11), and mapped to anatomically superficial regions. Despite the mean score increase with positional location of the questions, this effect was not statically significant across cohorts (p = 1.000), suggesting that structure accessibility in anatomically complex regions impacts performance. Student feedback cited structure preservation (71.5%) and time savings (55.8%) as advantages to prosection; however, dissection was the perceived superior and preferred laboratory format (88.6%). These data support combined prosection and dissection formats for improving student recognition of deeply positioned structures and maximizing student success.
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Anatomia , Currículo , Dissecação , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Avaliação Educacional , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Estudos Retrospectivos , Avaliação Educacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Masculino , Feminino , Cadáver , Feedback Formativo , LaboratóriosRESUMO
Immersive virtual reality (i-VR) is a powerful tool that can be used to explore virtual models in three dimensions. It could therefore be a valuable tool to supplement anatomical teaching by providing opportunities to explore spatial anatomical relationships in a virtual environment. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature as to its effectiveness as a teaching modality when compared to the use of cadaveric material. The aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness of i-VR in facilitating understanding of different anatomical regions when compared with cadaveric prosections for a cohort of first- and second-year undergraduate medical students. Students (n = 92) enrolled in the MBBS program at Queen Mary University of London undertook an assessment, answering questions using either Oculus i-VR headsets, the Human Anatomy VR™ application, or prosection materials. Utilizing ANOVA with Sidak's multiple comparison test, we found no significant difference between prosections and i-VR scores in the abdomen (p = 0.6745), upper limb (p = 0.8557), or lower limb groups (p = 0.9973), suggesting that i-VR may be a viable alternative to prosections in these regions. However, students scored significantly higher when using prosections when compared to i-VR for the thoracic region (p < 0.0001). This may be due to a greater need for visuospatial understanding of 3D relationships when viewing anatomical cavities, which is challenged by a virtual environment. Our study supports the use of i-VR in anatomical teaching but highlights that there is significant variation in the efficacy of this tool for the study of different anatomical regions.
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Anatomia , Cadáver , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Avaliação Educacional , Modelos Anatômicos , Estudantes de Medicina , Realidade Virtual , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação Educacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto Jovem , Instrução por Computador/métodos , Compreensão , CurrículoRESUMO
Abstract: Anatomy, one of medicine's vital subjects, demands extreme visualization to understand the intricate architecture of the human body. Although various other methods of virtual dissections are in place, an increasing number of anatomists, clinicians, and surgeons are advocating for re-enhancing anatomical education through traditional cadaveric dissection. These traditional pedagogies potentially expose anatomy educators to various risks in the dissection laboratory, which endangers their health and well-being. Unfortunately, no one is counting on them or the hazards they face. It's like saying, "Fall ill at your own peril." Various studies have revealed the occupational hazards anatomists are exposed to, but the issue remains unheard of or relatively heard. Hence, this narrative review aims to highlight numerous occupational risks that anatomists face worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped or developing nations. Simultaneously, the authors strongly advocate that competent authorities review and evaluate the working conditions of anatomy laboratories and frame policies that ensure the rights and optimal health of anatomy educators.
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Anatomia , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Cadáver , Dissecação/educação , Local de Trabalho , Anatomia/educação , CurrículoRESUMO
There is an ongoing debate in anatomy education regarding the use of prosection versus student dissection in anatomy lab instruction. While there are plenty of studies comparing dissection and prosection, there are very few studies on how prosections are prepared and how they are used in anatomy instruction. Furthermore, there is no consistent definition of prosection used in the literature. This study used an anonymous questionnaire distributed to anatomy educators internationally and asked for educator views on defining, preparing, and using prosections in various course settings. One-hundred twenty-five completed responses representing fifteen countries and sixty-seven institutions underwent a thematic analysis to describe major themes in participant responses. From responses, a definition of prosection was developed, and the major perceived strengths and weaknesses of prosection use were described. Furthermore, quantitative data regarding the prevalence of prosection use as either a supplemental or primary resource and details pertaining to the perceived expertise of prosectors was collected. This study demonstrates the extensive reach of prosections in anatomy education and sets a foundation from which future studies on unique prosection preparation and use can stem from.
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The use of cadavers is essential for veterinary anatomy learning. However, facing an animal corpse can be stressful for veterinary students because of their empathy toward animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate veterinary medicine students' emotions, feelings, and anxiety levels related to practicals with dog cadavers. Two questionnaires were administered to 1st year students (n = 168) at CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia (Spain) before and after their first practical session with cadavers. The application of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires showed that "state anxiety" decreased significantly (p < 0.05), from a score of 14.8 before the practical to 10.4 after, and that female students showed higher but not significantly different levels than males. Most (64%) of the students were not willing to donate the bodies of their pets, and those students were more stressed before the practical than their peers, although their anxiety levels significantly decreased by the end of the session. The majority of the students answered positively about emotions, such as feeling calm, safe, not nervous, relaxed and not worried before the practical, and this increased significantly to more than 80% by the end of the session. The visualization of educational videos prior to the session was evaluated positively by students. These results agree with those reported in other health science disciplines, showing that students face practical sessions with corpses in a similar way and suggesting that the use of videos can help decrease anxiety and enhance their learning experience.
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Anatomia , Masculino , Feminino , Animais , Cães , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Ansiedade/etiologia , Emoções , Estudantes , CadáverRESUMO
Anatomy is an important component in the vertical integration of basic science and clinical practice. Two common pedagogies are cadaveric dissection and examination of prosected specimens. Comparative studies mostly evaluate their immediate effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial design was employed to compare both the immediate and long-term effectiveness of dissection and prosection. Eighty third-year medical students undergoing their surgical rotation from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine were randomized into two groups: dissection and prosection. Each participated in a one-day hands-on course following a similar outline that demonstrated surgical anatomy in the context of its clinical relevance. A pre-course test was conducted to establish baseline knowledge. A post-course test was conducted immediately after and at a one-year interval to evaluate learner outcome and knowledge retention. A post-course survey was conducted to assess participant perception. Thirty-nine and thirty-eight participants for the dissection and prosection groups, respectively, were included for analysis. There was no significant difference between mean pre-course test scores between the dissection and prosection groups [12.6 (3.47) vs. 12.7 (3.16), P > 0.05]. Both the mean immediate [27.9 (4.30) vs. 24.9 (4.25), P < 0.05] and 1 year [23.9 (4.15) vs. 19.9 (4.05), P < 0.05] post-course test scores were significantly higher in the dissection group. However, when adjusted for course duration [dissection group took longer than prosection group (mean 411 vs. 265 min)], these findings were negated. There is no conclusive evidence of either pedagogy being superior in teaching surgical anatomy. Based on learner surveys, dissection provides a greater learner experience.
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Anatomia , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Dissecação/educação , Mãos , Extremidade Superior/anatomia & histologia , Cadáver , Ensino , CurrículoRESUMO
The use of blended learning strategies is increasingly common in health sciences, including veterinary medicine; however, there are very few descriptions of these methods being applied to practicals. We describe here the application of blended learning based on the implementation of flipped classrooms with collaborative learning and gamification to the 2020-2021 veterinary medicine gross anatomy practicals at CEU Cardenal Herrera University (Spain). Students prepared for the sessions by pre-viewing videos and taking a quiz before the start. The sessions were conducted in small groups where students learned through collaborative work and reviewed their learning with a card game. A small but significant increase was observed when comparing the scores of practical exams of the locomotor apparatus with those of 2018-2019 (6.79 ± 2.22 vs. 6.38 ± 2.24, p < 0.05), while the scores were similar (7.76 ± 1.99 vs. 7.64 ± 1.92) for the organ system exams. Students' responses in a satisfaction survey were mostly positive (>80%) regarding the motivating and learning-facilitating effect of this educational method. Our work shows that the application of blended learning in anatomy practicals based on a flipped classroom and with elements of gamification and collaborative work can be an effective way to improve the learning experience of students.
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The purpose of this investigation was to explore the perceptions of the sufficiency and relevancy of physical therapy anatomy education among early, mid, and late career physical therapists. A survey was distributed via email through clinical networks in the greater Mid-Atlantic region, the American Physical Therapy Association Pennsylvania chapter (APTA-PA), and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) Educational Research division. 194 physical therapists responded to the survey. The survey included questions regarding how anatomy was learned in physical therapy school and Likert scale questions investigating opinions of anatomy education. Frequencies were calculated to determine the methods of anatomy education and Likert scale responses. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the Likert scale responses from the groupings of survey participants. Respondents across all years of practice felt that their anatomy education was sufficient and relevant to their clinical practice and that schools dedicated enough time to teaching anatomy. Respondents who had a dissection component in their anatomy curriculum were more likely to view dissection as essential. Length of time in practice did not influence opinions on the sufficiency or relevancy of anatomy education. Dissection continues to be included in most physical therapy anatomy courses and perceived as essential for learning. Practicing physical therapists' anatomy education was viewed as sufficient and relevant with few recommendations for change. Perceptions of clinicians should be incorporated into curriculum design and reform and be gathered on an ongoing basis as more students from programs without anatomical donors graduate and enter clinical practice.
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Anatomia , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Fisioterapeutas , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Aprendizagem , Dissecação/educação , Currículo , Inquéritos e Questionários , CadáverRESUMO
This study presents the routine prosection findings of a 74-year-old male anatomical donor, whose cause of death was attributed to anoxic brain injury secondary to cardiac arrest and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient exhibited a significant medical history, including severe COPD, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, stage III chronic kidney disease, heavy alcohol abuse, obesity, coronary artery disease, peripheral edema, triple bypass surgery, and right hip replacement. A detailed examination of the upper extremities revealed anomalies within the brachial plexus, with a more pronounced presence on the left side. This particular donor deviates from the expected "typical" brachial plexus anatomy, with a lack of convergence into a lateral cord and an anomalous convergence into a superior trunk. To ensure optimal patient care and procedural outcomes, a collaborative approach between surgeons and anesthesiologists that is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of these anatomical nuances is essential. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively investigate the identified brachial plexus anomalies, elucidate their embryological origins, and explore their clinical implications. Through these objectives, this research contributes to a broader understanding of anatomical variations and their relevance in medical practice.
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The anatomy laboratory can incite strong emotional reactions in students, which can in turn facilitate growth in empathy, care for vulnerable others, and professionalism. Despite this, little is known about the relative emotional impacts of different laboratory modalities. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity to compare the emotional experiences of students in similar courses in which one group of students dissected donors and the other group learned from prosected donors. The courses were otherwise the same in content, length, instructional design, and assessment. Students in the dissection-based (Fall 2019) and prosection-based (Fall 2020) courses completed a previously validated survey that used quantitative and qualitative questions to assess their feelings about the donors and the anatomy laboratory experience. Students in both cohorts reported overall appreciation for having had the experience. Negative themes experienced by both groups included feeling anxiety, worries about depersonalizing donors, and physical discomfort in the laboratory. Students in the dissection course reported stronger connections with the donors and the donors' families but also more frequently felt negative feelings such as disgust, anxiety, and feeling alone. Students in the prosection course reported more consistently positive responses but worried about not using the donors to the fullest extent possible. Regardless of pedagogical design, students have complex emotional experiences in the anatomy laboratory and our results indicate that these feelings may be more intense in the context of dissection. Anatomists should foster educational settings that enable students to learn to process complex or challenging emotions.
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Anatomia , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Anatomia/educação , Pandemias , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Dissecação/educação , Emoções , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , CadáverRESUMO
Background: Part of the basic teaching of human anatomy are prosection sessions with a human corpse, which may generate stress or anxiety among students. The objective of this work was to study how, through the visualization technique (a coping technique), these levels could be reduced before starting prosection classes. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted involving first-year students who had never participated in screening sessions. Prior to the visit, occupational therapy students underwent a viewing session (visualization technique). On the day of the visit, before and after the screening session, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed to find out about aspects of the students' experiences, such as their feelings and perceptions. The State−Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess anxiety. Results: The baseline levels of anxiety measured remained stable (from 18.5 to 18.2 points), with no differences being found (p > 0.05). The levels of emotional anxiety measured fell from 15.2 to 12.6 points (p < 0.05). Before starting the class, there were six students (17.1%) with anxiety criteria, and this figure was doubled at the end of the session (33.3%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sessions in a dissection room can cause stressful experiences and change the emotional balances of some students. The results obtained and published here showed no significant differences after the visualization technique. We found that the students believed that the prosection sessions were very useful for teaching anatomy.
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Dissections are a fundamental practical methodology for teaching human anatomy. However, this experience can be stressful, generating anxiety situations among students. This study tries to understand the attitudes, reactions, fears and anxiety state among students earning a physiotherapy degree when facing their first prosection. A cross-sectional before-and-after study was carried out with students who were provided with an anonymous "ad hoc" questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).The values obtained from the total STAI questionnaire remained stable and unchanged during the prosection (p>0.05). The levels of trait anxiety (TA) and state anxiety (SA) remained stable except in female students, who showed higher TA and SA scores, with a significance of p<0.05 before and after the prosection. Although 100% of the students were satisfied with the dissection practices, the experience can provoke stressful responses and should be addressed using coping mechanisms, especially among female students.
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Anatomia , Estudantes de Medicina , Ansiedade , Cadáver , Estudos Transversais , Dissecação , Feminino , Humanos , Modalidades de Fisioterapia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: As virtual education becomes more widespread, particularly considering the recent COVID-19 pandemic, studies that assess the impact of online teaching strategies are vital. Current anatomy curriculum at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine consists of self-taught PowerPoint material, clinical vignette-centered team-based learning (dry lab), and prosection-based instruction (wet lab). This study examined the impact of video-based muscle model (VBMM) instruction using a student-designed forearm muscle model on anatomy quiz scores and student perceptions of its effectiveness with regards to learning outcomes. METHODS: Students divided into Group 1 (54 students) and Group 2 (53 students) were assessed prior to and following a 3.5-minute video on anterior forearm compartment musculature using the muscle model. Group 1 began by completing a pretest, then received VBMM instruction, and then completed a posttest prior to participating in the standard dry lab and 1 hour wet lab. Group 2 completed the wet lab, then received the pretest, VBMM instruction, and posttest prior to participating in the dry lab. Both groups took an identical five-question quiz covering locations and functions of various anterior forearm muscles each time. RESULTS: Mean scores were higher than no formal intervention with exposure to VBMM instruction alone (0.73 points, P = .01), wet lab alone (0.88 points, P = .002), and wet lab plus VBMM instruction (1.35 points, P= <.001). No significant difference in scores was found between instruction with VBMM versus wet lab alone (P = 1.00), or between either instruction method alone compared to a combination of the two methods (P = .34, .09). Student survey opinions on the VBMM instruction method were positive. CONCLUSION: VBMM instruction is comparable to prosection-based lab with regards to score outcomes and was well received by students as both an independent learning tool and as a supplement to cadaveric lab. When compared to either instruction method alone, the supplementation of VBMM with cadaveric prosection instruction was best. VBMM instruction may be valuable for institutions without access to cadaveric specimens, or those looking to supplement their current anatomy curriculum.
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Few realized the extent of disruption that the Covid-19 global pandemic would impose upon higher anatomical education. While many institutions were obliged to adopt a fully-remote online model, the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine strove to develop a curriculum that would allow medical students to receive an in-person anatomy education. A hybrid model that emphasized learning from prosected cadavers and self-study stations was implemented, with the remainder of the students' time directed toward studying at home. Through an anonymous survey aimed at gleaning student satisfaction, this study demonstrates that this hybrid prosection-based anatomy course aligned with student preferences both assuming no health risk (64.6% agreed) and given the current risk of contracting Covid-19 (78.5% agreed). Generally, students felt that their education was equal to that of previous years (Likert scale = 3.24 ± 1.05), fostered an appreciation for anatomy (4.56 ± 0.59), promoted teamwork (4.13 ± 0.85), and prepared them for practical examinations (4.18 ± 0.74). Linear mixed-effect models demonstrated that specific differences in results could be attributed to students' preconceived preferences toward student-led dissections and to past medical training. Importantly, most students "disagree" (1.97 ± 1.00) that they were concerned about the risk of exposure to Covid-19 during in-person anatomy laboratory sessions. Areas requiring improvement were identified by the model, including the provision of access to the cadavers outside of the regularly scheduled laboratory times (3.89 ± 1.08). These findings should be utilized when designing future gross anatomy courses in response to the "new normal".
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Anatomia , COVID-19 , Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Estudantes de Medicina , Anatomia/educação , Cadáver , Currículo , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Humanos , Pandemias , Satisfação PessoalRESUMO
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many academic institutions had to rapidly transition education to a remote online environment. While a hurdle for most educators, this transition posed an even greater challenge for anatomy educators, many of whom were forced to depart from the traditional cadaver-based laboratory to a virtual format. Recent publications have discussed the rapid transition to online formats necessitated by Covid-19 and the accompanying difficulties, but none have identified specific factors that influenced the difficulty of this transition. Anatomy educators were surveyed to examine how this transition was accomplished and perceived. Of the 165 educators who responded, the majority utilized cadaver-based laboratory instruction. Educators felt that transitioning the laboratory portion of their courses was significantly more difficult and required more time than converting lecture materials. Factors that impacted the difficulty of the transition included a number of pedagogical aspects of the pre-Covid-19 curricula, including the delivery format of prior content, availability of pre-existing electronic materials, and the laboratory technique previously used. Additionally, the length of time an educator had been teaching prior to Covid-19 impacted their perception of difficulty, with newer and more senior educators finding this much more challenging than mid-tenure educators. Ease of transition may be related to previous exposure to curricular reform, experience with multiple anatomy pedagogies, and educator adaptability. While not surprising that converting a cadaver-based laboratory to an online format was challenging, knowledge of the alignment of this difficulty with prior educator pedagogy can help guide future innovations to anatomy education.