Does spatial awareness training affect anatomy learning in medical students?

Abstract

Spatial ability (SA) is the cognitive capacity to understand and mentally manipulate concepts of objects, remembering relationships among their parts and those of their surroundings. Spatial ability provides a learning advantage in science and may be useful in anatomy and technical skills in health care. This study aimed to assess the relationship between SA and anatomy scores in first‐ and second‐year medical students. The training sessions focused on the analysis of the spatial component of objects' structure and their interaction as applied to medicine; SA was tested using the Visualization of Rotation (ROT) test. The intervention group (n = 29) received training and their pre‐ and post‐training scores for the SA tests were compared to a control group (n = 75). Both groups improved their mean scores in the follow‐up SA test (P < 0.010). There was no significant difference in SA scores between the groups for either SA test (P = 0.31, P = 0.90). The SA scores for female students were significantly lower than for male students, both at baseline and follow‐up (P < 0.010). Anatomy training and assessment were administered by the anatomy department of the medical school, and examination scores were not significantly different between the two groups post‐intervention (P = 0.33). However, participants with scores in the bottom quartile for SA performed worse in the anatomy questions (P < 0.001). Spatial awareness training did not improve SA or anatomy scores; however, SA may identify students who may benefit from additional academic support.

Learning Styles/Preferences Among Medical Students: Kinesthetic Learner’s Multimodal Approach to Learning Anatomy

“…Does spatial awareness training affect anatomy learning in medical students? [12] In the perspective of the "kinesthetic learners," the answer is affirmative. Each approach has its own preparation.…”

“…Additionally, in support of kinesthetic learners, a recent of article answered the question "does spatial awareness training affect anatomy learning in medical students?" [12].…”

“…Students adopt a variety of study strategies, including VARK and surface, deep, and strategic approaches, during preclinical training to learn the material. Some studies relate to the question of "learning styles and academic performance" [10][11][12].…”

Gender Differences in Academic Grades versus Absenteeism for Medical Sciences Students

“…Despite that the ndings of this investigation are based on the cumulative scores of the semester, their skill ability constituted few scores as part of the practical reports. Therefore, they are not considered as basis for gender difference in this investigation, although a study assessed the spatial ability of medical students versus scores and observed gender variation [26].…”

3D Technology Development and Dental Education: What Topics Are Best Suited for 3D Learning Resources?

“…Spatial awareness has been related to the capacity to manipulate 3D objects [70] and the literature is inconclusive when it comes to differences between males and females. Some authors believe there is no difference [71,72] while others support the idea that this ability is affected by gender [70] assigning better results to males than to females. The results of this study revealed statistical difference in only one of the highly rated items: extraction techniques, movements and force.…”