Drawing in Veterinary Anatomy Education: What Do Students Use It For?

Abstract

In contrast to medical education, information on the use of arts as a learning approach is scarce in veterinary anatomy. The aim of this prospective, questionnaire-based study was to survey students' use of drawing in various aspects of veterinary anatomy learning (selfstudy, examinations, preparation for, and reflection on cadaver dissection). The quantitative data showed that first-year students with artistic preferences used drawing significantly more often in most aspects of anatomy learning than students with no such preferences, apart from the reported use of drawing in examinations and for reflection after cadaver dissection. The lack of significant correlations of the reported use of drawing in examinations with any other study variable provided support for the author's observation that studentgenerated drawings are not as commonly used in examinations as previously. In contrast to the study hypothesis, previous university studies did not correlate significantly with any aspect of the use of drawing in anatomy learning. None of the reported uses of drawing addressed the benefits of drawing in learning the comparative anatomy of animal species, a characteristic distinguishing veterinary anatomy from human anatomy. Qualitative student feedback indicated that encouragement and teacher-produced images would increase the use of drawing as a learning approach even if the implementation of drawing into the curriculum is not feasible. Conclusions from this study were implemented through self-directed learning in anatomy courses that replaced the canceled cadaveric dissections during the COVID-19 outbreak and also through the ongoing drawing workshops to further advance the use of drawing in veterinary anatomy learning. Anat Sci Educ 14: 799-807.

Effects of tablet‐based drawing and paper‐based methods on medical students' learning of gross anatomy

“…So, students probably need more support in implementing a new learning method. This can be seen from the fact that students accept drawing alone as a learning method, but often need encouragement and help from teachers before they can and want to implement it 70 . In addition, a study found that the positive influence of the tablet on learning outcome depends on the degree of exposure, so access to the tablet not only at the university but also at home 71 .…”

Can drawing instruction help students with low visuospatial ability in learning anatomy?

“…There are few studies examining the interaction between student attitudes to drawing and sketching and academic performance in disciplines that require visuospatial abilities. Although one study of veterinary students of anatomy reported that students who reported visual arts as a hobby spontaneously used drawing when learning anatomy (Laakkonen, 2021). Others have reported lower MRT scores in students who self-identify as 'artistic' (Na et al, 2021).…”

Art and science: The importance of scientific illustration in veterinary medicine

“…There is no doubt that illustration is an important tool in learning. Several studies have shown that illustration in a medical text aids in the learning process, as many studies have shown [20][21][22] . In the last century, medical illustration has specialized and became a profession on its own, and develop in an infinite variety of techniques, from charcoal to digital painting.…”