Design and Development of Electronic Moulage of Brachial Plexus Muscles to Enhance the Learning of Upper Limb Anatomy: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Background: Anatomy embraces various fields and is regarded as the foundation of medical sciences due to its broad clinical applications, particularly in surgery. However, teaching this subject, particularly in practical units, poses challenges, and insufficient anatomical knowledge and errors in anatomy-related decisions by physicians can lead to avoidable deaths and medical errors. This study aimed to design and develop an electronic moulage (EM) for teaching upper limb anatomy, specifically focusing on the muscles and brachial plexus (BP). Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design. Electronic moulage has been implemented in a manner that allows independent structures within a compartment to be taught without the presence of a teacher or anatomical atlases and enables learners to comprehend the anatomical features and relationships of structures in both combined and isolated modes, even without prior knowledge of anatomical theory specific to that compartment. The EM incorporates a skeletal compartment system and a BP component, utilizing audio and visual systems to deliver a comprehensive educational experience. The effectiveness of the EM was evaluated by experts in anatomy and medical science students, comparing it to other teaching methods. Four groups of undergraduate medical radiology students with no prior instruction in upper limb anatomy participated in the study. Each group was assigned to a different training method, including lecture-based education, digital-based education with a simulator, cadaver-based education, and EM-based education. Results: After assessing the results using educational and motivational indicators, it was determined that the EM demonstrated innovative potential and could enhance motivation and the quality of anatomy education. Comparing the post-test scores of the EM-based education group to the other groups revealed significantly higher scores in the EM-based group. This finding indicates that the EM has the potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of anatomy education, addressing the limitations of other teaching methods. Conclusions: The developed EM presents a promising solution for enhancing anatomy education, particularly in the context of upper limb anatomy. The innovative features of EM and its ability to improve motivation and learning outcomes make it a valuable tool for teaching this subject matter.