Clinical anatomy research in a research‐driven anatomy department

Abstract

Clinical anatomy is too often viewed as a discipline that reiterates the wisdom of the past, characterized more by description of what is known than by active investigation and critical analysis of hypotheses and ideas. Various misconceptions follow from an acceptance of this premise: the teaching of clinical anatomists is textbook based, there is no clinical anatomy research worthy of the name, and any research that does exist fails to utilize modern technology and does not stand comparison with serious biomedical research as found in cell and molecular biology. The aim of this paper is to challenge each of these contentions by reference to ongoing clinical research studies within this department. It is argued that all teaching (including that of clinical anatomy) should be research-informed and that the discipline of clinical anatomy should have at its base a vigorous research ethos driven by clinically related problems. In interacting with physicians, the role of the clinical anatomist should be to promulgate a questioning scientific spirit, with its willingness to test and challenge accepted anatomic dicta.

The wider importance of cadavers: Educational and research diversity from a body bequest program

“…The latter is entirely in keeping with the principle of continuing medical education beyond graduation. A research ethos is important as this encourages a critical evidence-based approach to teaching and helps to counteract the diminishing status of anatomy as a research-led discipline (Dyer and Thorndike, 2000;Jones et al, 2002). Another but less obvious benefit of being able to run a diverse range of courses utilizing cadaver specimens has been the promotion of interdisciplinary activity with attendant educational and research interactions.…”

Are we teaching sufficient anatomy at medical school? The opinions of newly qualified doctors

“…The Research Assessment Exercise by UK higher education funding councils has seen resources directed away from this area of University teaching. Many wrongly argue anatomy has nothing more to contribute to research excellence and, therefore, to potential research income (Jones et al, 2002). As a result, new University appointments are frequently weighted towards cellular research rather than anatomy.…”

Is the decline of human anatomy hazardous to medical education/profession?—A review

“…Besides compressed anatomical schedule, insufficient deployment of faculties and the infighting between conservative and progressive anatomists also became detrimental to the evolution of anatomy as a subject. Many wrongly argue that anatomy has nothing more to contribute to research excellence and therefore to potential research income [13]. As a result, new university appointments are frequently weighted towards cellular research rather than anatomy [10].…”