Do we really need cadavers anymore to learn anatomy in undergraduate medicine?

McMenamin, Paul G.; McLachlan, John C.; Wilson, Adam B.; McBride, Jennifer; Pickering, James D.; Evans, Darrell John Rhys; Winkelmann, Andreas

doi:10.1080/0142159x.2018.1485884

Cited by 113 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…With several medical schools moving away from cadaveric dissections and towards online platforms such as Complete Anatomy, 3D printed organs, and virtual reality to teach anatomy (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), our survey results contribute to the discussion about whether or not these methods enhance pre-clinical anatomy learning from the student perspective. Moreover, as others have noted, unique ethical issues come into play when trying to integrate human donor dissections with videoconferencing tools used for remote learning (4).…”

Section: Negative Impacts On Lab Class Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-Clinical Remote Undergraduate Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study

Shahrvini

Baxter

Coffey

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a sudden transition to remote learning in medical schools. We aimed to assess student perceptions of remote learning during the pre-clinical curricular training phase. Methods: A survey was distributed to first- and second-year medical students enrolled at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in March 2020. Frequencies of responses to structured multiple-choice questions were compared regarding impacts of remote learning on quality of instruction and ability to participate, value of various remote learning resources, living environment, and preparedness for subsequent stages of training. Responses to open-ended questions about strengths and weaknesses of the remote curriculum and overall reflections were coded for thematic content.Results: Of 268 students enrolled, 104 responded (53.7% of first-year students and 23.9% of second-year students). Overall, students felt the quality of instruction and their ability to participate had been negatively affected. Most (64.1%) preferred the flexibility of learning material at their own pace. Only 25.5% of respondents still felt connected to the medical school or classmates. Most second-year students (56.7%) felt their preparation for the USMLE Step 1 exam was negatively affected and 43.3% felt unprepared to begin clerkships. In narrative responses, most appreciated the increased flexibility of remote learning but recognized that digital fatigue, decreased ability to participate, and lack of clinical skills and hands-on lab learning were notable deficits.Conclusions: Videocasted lectures uploaded in advance, electronic health record and telehealth training for students, and training for teaching faculty to increase technological fluency may be considered to optimize remote learning curricula.

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Section: Negative Impacts On Lab Class Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-Clinical Remote Undergraduate Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study

Shahrvini

Baxter

Coffey

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Medical schools that practice cadaveric dissections can approach anatomical teaching through different methods, namely using prosections, body art, virtual reality, or plastic models. The benefits of these in teaching anatomy in modern medical curricula has been supported by published evidence [4]. However, as medical schools resume to a 'new normal' of in-person teaching once the pandemic resolves, it would be heartbreaking to see anatomical teaching through cadaveric dissections being completely replaced as a result of this pandemic.…”

Section: Lettermentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on the future of cadaveric dissection anatomical teaching

Ooi

2020

Medical Education Online

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“…In most undergraduate medical schools, anatomy is traditionally taught using human cadavers. Cadavers provide good representation of true anatomy, thus increasing the likelihood of retaining knowledge [1]. Plastination techniques have revolutionized the preservation of the human body or organs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a three-dimensional printed heart from computed tomography images of a plastinated specimen for learning anatomy

Radzi

Tan

et al. 2020

Anat Cell Biol

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Learning anatomy is commonly facilitated by use of cadavers, plastic models and more recently three-dimensional printed (3DP) anatomical models as they allow students to physically touch and hold the body segments. However, most existing models are limited to surface features of the specimen, with little opportunity to manipulate the structures. There is much interest in developing better 3DP models suitable for anatomy education. This study aims to determine the feasibility of developing a multi-material 3DP heart model, and to evaluate students' perceptions of the model. Semi-automated segmentation was performed on computed tomgoraphy plastinated heart images to develop its 3D digital heart model. Material jetting was used as part of the 3D printing process so that various colors and textures could be assigned to the individual segments of the model. Morphometric analysis was conducted to quantify the differences between the printed model and the plastinated heart. Medical students' opinions were sought using a 5-point Likert scale. The 3DP full heart was anatomically accurate, pliable and compressible to touch. The major vessels of the heart were color-coded for easy recognition. Morphometric analysis of the printed model was comparable with the plastinated heart. Students were positive about the quality of the model and the majority of them reported that the model was useful for their learning and that they would recommend their use for anatomical education. The successful feasibility study and students' positive views suggest that the development of multimaterial 3DP models is promising for medical education.

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Do we really need cadavers anymore to learn anatomy in undergraduate medicine?

Cited by 113 publications

References 42 publications

Pre-Clinical Remote Undergraduate Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study

Pre-Clinical Remote Undergraduate Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on the future of cadaveric dissection anatomical teaching

Development of a three-dimensional printed heart from computed tomography images of a plastinated specimen for learning anatomy

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