Anatomy education of medical students during the COVID 19 pandemic / Educación en anatomía de estudiantes de medicina durante la pandemia de COVID-19

SUMMARY: COVID-19 created extraordinary challenges to anatomy education and teaching practices, as the anatomists try to achieve best knowledge delivery level for their discipline, without the use of traditional teaching aids such as the cadavers and microscopic slides. The present study was conducted to collect medical students' response and opinions regarding the pros and cons of online teaching vs traditional teaching. 2263 medical studentswere recruited from the first three academic years. A multiple choice close-ended questionnaire regarding their opinion about virtual teaching mode for the anatomy discipline during COVID-19 pandemic was designed and circulated via emails.The majority (78.12 %) of the students agreed that they missed their traditional anatomy learning mode. Moreover, (92.92 %) of the students missed their campus and the college social life. The students strongly felt there is a gap and difficulty in understanding the topics that required practicing and visual orientation such as dissections, models, microscopic slides which help them in better memorizing and recalling the anatomical terms. The lack of proper devices and the absence of high quality internet were among the top reported issues that negatively affect online learning. These results indicated that, compared with traditional methods of teachings, the online learning in the medical schools had relatively poor planning and required continuous and combined efforts in order to improve the quality of online teaching specially for anatomy discipline, which may be an essential response for any unforeseen situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We should look at the current situation as an opportunity to apply modern anatomy education approaches which may be a necessity at the present time, with huge accomplishments achieved in the information and online technology field.

RESUMEN: La pandemia de COVID-19 creó desafíos extraordinarios para la educación y las prácticas de enseñanza de la anatomía, debido al objetivo del anatomista de lograr el mejor nivel de educación para su disciplina sin el uso materiales didácticos tradicionales, tal como los cadáveres y las láminas microscópicas. En este studio se analizó la respuesta y las opiniones de los estudiantes sobre los pros y los contras de la enseñanza en línea frente a la enseñanza tradicional. Se reclutaron 2263 estudiantes de medicina de los tres primeros años académicos. Se diseñó un cuestionario cerrado de opción múltiple con respecto a su opinión sobre el método de enseñanza virtual para la disciplina de anatomía durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y se distribuyó por correo electrónico. Además, (92,92 %) de los estudiantes dejaron de participar en la vida social universitaria y se ausentaron del campus. Los estudiantes sintieron fuertemente que hay una brecha y dificultad para comprender los temas que requieren práctica y orientación visual, como disecciones, modelos, diapositivas microscópicas que les ayudan a memorizar y recordar mejor los términos anatómicos. La falta de internet de calidad, y de dispositivos adecuados se encuentran entre los principales problemas reportados que afectan negativamente el aprendizaje en línea. Estos resultados indicaron que, en comparación con los métodos tradicionales de enseñanza, el aprendizaje en línea en las escuelas de medicina tenía una planificación relativamente deficiente y requería una planificación continua, además de esfuerzos para mejorar la calidad de la enseñanza en línea de anatomía, lo que que podría ser de apoyo fundamental ante cualquier situación imprevista como la pandemia de COVID-19. Actualmente, se debe considerar esta situación como una oportunidad para aplicar enfoques modernos de educación en anatomía con importantes logros en el campo de la tecnología informática y en línea.

Computer Based Learning Modalities In Anatomy Dissection

Background: Cadaveric dissection has been used for centuries for teaching gross anatomy all over the world. Ithas been considered as a necessity to learn gross anatomy and helps the medical students in understanding thethree-dimensional relationship of different anatomical structures and variations. But the paucity of cadaversand high financial cost has considerably contributed to the development of alternative teaching techniques.Advancement in web-based medical technology leads to the development of virtual dissection programs. Theseprograms have been found to be an effective way to teach anatomy and are being preferred over cadavericdissection. Is cadaveric dissection simply a rite of passage or is it a necessity? The aim of our study was todetermine whether cadaveric dissection is a necessity in medical education, and if it can be replaced by neweralternative techniques like computer based dissection procedure.Materials and Methods: A batch of 150, 1st MBBS students of Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabadwere studied by dividing them into 2 groups of 75 each after subjecting them to Conventional based Learning(CNVL) of dissection versus Computer Based Learning (CBL). A questionnaire was given to both the students andthe faculty. Based on the response to the questionnaire statistical analysis was done.Results: The present study indicated that the Computer Based Learning in dissection (CBL) method was found tobe more effective method for teaching anatomy by 79% of the students and 84% of faculty doctors. The valuer=0.89 shows the pre & post score has correlated positively and has an effect of study. (Paired Two Sample t-test:p=3.24E-29<0.05). As well the results were found to be increased with the pre (35%) to post test (65%) and p<0.05implies the effect.Conclusion: The three dimensional (3D) modeling of anatomical structures in the human body was presented indetailed step by step cadaveric dissections. It also provided detailed human anatomical training for students,where there is a lack of cadaver facility and where there are more students to cadaver ratio. Thus, the multimediaequipped interactive anatomical laboratory software enhance both memorization and visual learning skills ofthe medical students

Dissection: Before Or After Lecture Is Effective In Teaching Anatomy: Perception Of Undergraduate Medical Students

Background: In Undergraduate Medical Education, understanding Anatomy is the basic step for studying otherbranches of Medical Science. Traditionally Gross Anatomy has been taught by lectures and cadaveric dissection.Currently no particular format is being followed in understanding Anatomy using Lecture classes and Dissectionof particular organ or body area. This research work has been planned to find the more effective method ofteaching/learning Gross Anatomy using lecture and cadaveric dissection.Objectives: 1. To compare ‘Lecture after cadaveric Dissection’ of body parts and ‘Dissection after Lecture’ as aneffective method for comprehension of Anatomy 2. To find the perception of the study participants regardingLecture after cadaveric dissection and dissection after lecture as a better method for understanding AnatomyMethodology: Quasi experimental study was conducted among MBBS Students of 2016 batch posted in thedepartment of Anatomy, Dr.SMCSI Medical College, Karakonam, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, Indiaduring the period of 5 months from April 2018. Post procedural test scores for ‘Dissection after Lecture’ wascompared with that for ‘Lecture after Dissection’. Perception of the study participants on the two learningprocedures was studied by a Likert-type questionnaireResults: Post procedural test scores were calculated and compared between ‘Dissection after Lecture’ and‘Lecture after Dissection’ using Unpaired ‘t’ test. ‘Lecture after dissection’ was found to be a better method thanDissection after Lecture (’t’ 39.536;26.128; P < 0.001) in teaching/learning Anatomy. Students felt that the methodof ‘Lecture after Dissection’ helped in better Cognitive gain, Easiness in learning, Retention of memory, Drawingdiagrams, and in Securing higher marks.Conclusion: ‘Lecture after dissection’ was found to show higher post procedural test scores than ‘Dissection afterLecture’ and this difference was statistically significant. Perception of the study participants about the twolearning methods was studied and ‘Lecture after dissection’ was found to be the better teaching learning methodthat reflected positive perceptions

A New Approach to Body Donation for Medical Education: The Silent Mentor Programme

@#Cadaveric dissection is an integral component of medical education. There had been concerns about negative impact on medical students exposed to deceased donors before their clinical years, but most studies reported overall positive outcome following this form of teaching. Due to reducing number of body donations in most parts of the world, many institutions are adopting alternative models especially for the teaching of gross anatomy. A new body donation programme that incorporate humanistic values in the procurement process was initiated by Tsu Chi University of Taiwan in 1996. Early observations following teaching with the socalled “silent mentors” noted less negative emotional impact on the students. With increasing number of body donation following the initiation of the silent mentor programme as reported in some regions, we will be able to continue the time-honoured cadaveric dissection for anatomy teaching, at the same time promoting humanistic values on junior doctors.

Questionnaire Survey Analysis on Necessity of Cadaveric Dissection for Nursing Students: In Scope of Nursing Students and Professors / 체질인류학회지

Nursing students will work to promote the health of patients as a nurse after graduation. Basic nursing science is to improve the quality and efficiency of nursing activity and to form the basis of nursing mandatory major. Anatomy is a curriculum of medical college, for that reason, it does not fit the characteristics of basic nursing science, and it is difficult to study mandatory major. This research was to provide basic data to be improved anatomy curriculum for nursing students using questionnaire about necessity of cadaveric dissection. Questionnaires were distributed to nursing students enrolled in anatomy course and professor taught basic nursing science in nursing college. Eighty-one percentage of nursing student and 95.5% in professor answered to need cadaveric dissection for nursing students. Nursing students answered that it should be helpful to understand about human body and nursing activity. Professors replied to acquire knowledge of human body and be of help to learn. They filled in internal organs and nervous system that have to observe during cadaveric dissection. The result of this research would be used as the basis for the improvement of anatomy curriculum in nursing college.

Morphometry and Variations of Malleus with Clinical Correlations.

Background: Ossicular morphology and morphometric considerations play cornerstone importance in reconstructive surgeries. An attempt is made to have an insight into such morphological variations and evaluate the morphometric values of malleus in south Indian population through cadaveric dissection. Materials and methods: 25 human head specimens taken from the dissection hall, after removal of brain and duramater, subarcuate fossa and arcuate eminance of the petrous part of the temporal bone were chipped off with help of fine edged chissel and hammer. With help of bone cutter the tegmen tympani forming the remaining roof was removed, till the middle ear cavity and three ossicles are properly exposed and identified. Results: Malleus height ranged from 6.94 mm to 7.78 mm on both sides with average of 7.37mm on right and 7.51 mm on left. Weight ranged from 16.85 mg to 19.25 mg with average of 18 mg on right side and 18.52 mg on left both side. Length and weight of left malleus bones were statistically more than their right counterparts. Conclusions: Morphologically malleus showed lesser variations in comparison to stapes. The left sided malleus dominated the right sided ones in both length and weight.

Body donation in India: a review.

The study of anatomy is inseparable from cadaveric dissection. However scarcity of cadavers is felt all over the world. Body donation is the preferred and major source of cadavers worldwide. It is defined as an informed and free act of giving one’s whole body after death for medical education and research. This article gives a brief review of history of body donation. It reveals the details about who can donate and who can accept the body along with procedure followed to donate body in India. It discusses the donors’ attitude behind body donation and factors preventing people from body donation. It deals with approach of various religions towards body donation. It discusses some important ways to overcome the scarcity of bodies in India and the world.

Technique of colored latex vascular injection in neurosurgical soft cadaveric head.

Objective : To present our technique of injected vascular specimen, so as to facilitate the process of cadaveric head preparation.Material and Method : Colored latex is used to inject the extracranial part of cerebral arteries and veins. The process is composed of three steps and can be summarized as follows: 1) exposure and cannulation of the extracranial vessels 2) irrigation of vessels to remove blood clol and 3) preparation and injection of the colored latex. Results : The quality of the injection was evaluated by inspection of both superficial and deep vascular trees( both venous and arterial dural vessels). There was sometimes the leakage of latex from the vessels. Conclusion : The simple and inexpensive process of cadaveric head preparation would promote the neuroanatomical knowledges of neurosurgical residents and practicing neurosurgeons.

Surgical Extent of Transsphenoidal Approach: A Microsurgical Anatomy

To improve the surgical results of the removal of the pituitary tumors extending beyond the limit of the sella turcica, several modified transsphenoidal approachs have been proposed by many surgeons. A microanatomy of the sphenoid sinus, sellar, suprasellar and parasellar regions were studied in 50 formalin-fixed human cadaveric heads. Among them, microanatomical cadaveric dissections were performed in 5 specimens which were injected with colored silicone rubber. We aim to present a detailed microsurgical anatomy of structures surrounding the sella turcica. And also, the requisite microanatomical details necessary to extend the TSA to the medial compartment of the cavernous sinus and the supradiaphragmatic intradural space.