Medical students perception of ultrasound and computed tomography sessions in gross anatomy curriculum: a study in an Indian medical college

Abstract

Background: Integration of Ultrasonography (USG) and Computed Tomography (CT) sessions into medical curriculum has been started and numerous studies show that they could be useful in anatomy teaching as an adjunct to traditional ways including didactic lectures, cadaveric material or 3D models. Information regarding the benefit and feasibility of integrating radiology sessions into Indian medical curriculum is still lacking.Methods: We introduced didactic and practical sessions of USG and CT focusing on Liver morphology into first year anatomy course and found out student’ perception by Likert- scale type questionnaire at the end. We collected opinions once again from the same cohort during their clinical rotations as junior doctors regarding the effectiveness of radiological sessions at very beginning of their career.Results: The first year students stated that radiology sessions were very interesting (97%) and effective (95%) to improve their anatomy understanding, 93% indicated it will make them more confident while taking practical examinations, 97% indicated such sessions should be incorporated in current anatomy curriculum. Majority of junior doctors (88% of responders) accepted the importance of early exposure to practical radiology in medical curriculum and recommended to include practical USG and CT sessions in anatomy course.Conclusions: This study was first to experiment the impact of practical radiology sessions in anatomy and collect feedback from both first year students and junior doctors in an Indian medical college. Our study shows it is possible and beneficial to include structured ultrasonography and CT sessions to the present MBBS curriculum in conjunction with traditional teaching methods.

Different approaches for teaching and learning anatomy and future directions

“…These images has been aided in narrowing the gap between the basic anatomy and the clinically applicable anatomy which many believe has been deficient (Jack et al, 36 2012). Radiology teaching such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and x-ray offers in vivo visualization of the anatomy, as an addition to traditional ways and gaining approval to further strengthen the learning of anatomy in the practical situation (Chaudhury et al, 37 2019).…”