Effect of teaching tools in spatial understanding in health science education: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: The concept of spatial orientation is integral to health education. Students studying to be healthcare professionals use their visual intelligence to develop 3D mental models from 2D images, like X-rays, MRI, and CT scans, which exerts a heavy cognitive load on them. Innovative teaching tools and technologies are being developed to improve students’ learning experiences. However, the impact of these teaching modalities on spatial understanding is not often evaluated. This systematic review aims to investigate current literature to identify which teaching tools and techniques are intended to improve the 3D sense of students and how these tools impact learners’ spatial understanding. Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the systematic review. Four databases were searched with multiple search terms. The articles were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed for quality. Results: Nineteen articles were eligible for our systematic review. Teaching tools focused on improving spatial concepts can be grouped into five categories. The review findings reveal that the experimental groups have performed equally well or significantly better in tests and tasks with access to the teaching tool than the control groups. Conclusion: Our review investigated the current literature to identify and categorize teaching tools shown to improve spatial understanding in healthcare professionals. The teaching tools identified in our review showed improvement in measured, and perceived spatial intelligence. However, a wide variation exists among the teaching tools and assessment techniques. We also identified knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.

Interprofessional Education with Simulations in Primary Care

“…The use of new training methods, such as classroom simulations with 3-dimensional highly realistic simulators ( 12 ), can provide comprehensive training in handling medical situations and identifying potentially dangerous medical situations that are usually not part of the daily work of primary care physicians and other healthcare workers ( 13 ).…”

The overcrowded curriculum is alarming

“…Sharmin and team’s review article, Effect of teaching tools in spatial understanding in health science education: a systematic review , 19 identified literature on teaching tools that have shown to improve spatial understanding in medical education. They aimed to recognize which techniques improve students’ ability to make 3D mental models from 2D images, like X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.…”