Is there an optimal environment in which to learn clinical anatomy? One man’s view

Abstract

Learning anatomy is essential in medical schools, and even more so for budding surgeons. Much has been discussed regarding the updated curriculum, and whether the pedagogies should be based upon cadaveric, and/or multimedia, or hybrid approaches. Much debate has also been centered on who is best qualified to teach. While all these are important, the setting is also critically important for the medical students and surgical trainees. Therefore the overarching issue is whether all these activities should be held in the dissection room, the operating theatre or the classical "Theatrum Anatomicum"? What are the key experiential learning differences in picking up anatomical knowledge in the various venues listed above? This paper will provide some insights for teachers and students of human anatomy, and some ideas for the future planners and developers of anatomy learning centers internationally.