Perceptions on the use of dissection videos in learning gastrointestinal anatomy among medical students

Background and Objective@#Lockdowns due to COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift to online learning in the University of the Philippines-College of Medicine. The study of gross anatomy is difficult in itself but was compounded by the lack of cadaveric dissection. To bridge this learning gap, medical students had a limited face-to-face activity with cadaveric prosection. As a supplement, dissection videos on gastrointestinal anatomy were viewed prior to the activity. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and experiences of students on the use of dissection videos.@*Methods@#We described the perceptions of students on the dissection videos based on their evaluation form responses after rotating in the OS 206 course module on gastrointestinal anatomy. A 5-item evaluation form was rated using a 4-point Likert scale. Categorical variables were described by frequency and percentages using Microsoft Excel.@*Results@#A large majority (97% to 99%) strongly agreed that the videos were easy to access and had good audio-video quality. Around 68%-70% strongly agreed that the videos enhanced their understanding and made their learning experience pleasant and enjoyable. Around 70% would recommend the videos to fellow students. Only a few (<3%) had negative perceptions on the videos.@*Conclusion@#Dissection videos on gastrointestinal anatomy prior to cadaveric prosection laboratory sessions were perceived by medical students as accessible, good quality, and helpful aids in the study of gross anatomy.

Effectiveness of a Student-Developed Instructional Video in Learning the Anatomy of the Equine Distal Limb.

The anatomy of the equine distal limb (EDL) is both complex and important to veterinary clinical practice. First-year veterinary students (VM1s) often struggle to adequately understand it. Two third-year veterinary students collaborated with instructors to create an instructional video to facilitate first-year students' comprehension of EDL anatomy. The video was offered to all VM1s. Learning outcomes were assessed via practical exams. Exam scores on EDL structures were compared between students who did (video) and students who did not (no video) watch the video. Students' laboratory experiences and confidence were evaluated with a post-exam survey. The third-year students documented their experiences while producing the video. Eighty percent of VM1s viewed the video; 91% rated the video as very valuable. The video improved student confidence during the practical exam by 9%, and 89% of surveyed students indicated the video positively impacted their exam grade. One item score was significantly improved in the video group (p < .001), as was the score of the five questions combined (p < .001). As expected, overall practical exam scores were not statistically different. Student collaborators indicated that participation reinforced their knowledge while enhancing their professional development. Student collaboration was a beneficial strategy for instructional support development that positively impacted student affect and also generated opportunities for the involved students' professional growth.

Crashing from cadaver to computer: Covid-driven crisis-mode pedagogy spawns active online substitute for teaching gross anatomy.

In early 2020, the Covid-19 crisis forced medical institutions worldwide to convert quickly to online platforms for content delivery. Although many components of medical education were adaptable to that format, anatomical dissection laboratory lost substantial content in that conversion, including features of active student participation, three-dimensional spatial relationships of structures, and the perception of texture, variation, and scale. The present study aimed to develop and assess online anatomy laboratory sessions that sought to preserve benefits of the dissection experience for first-year medical students. The online teaching package was based on a novel form of active videography that emulates eye movement patterns that occur during processes of visual identification, scene analysis, and learning. Using this video-image library of dissected materials, content was presented through asynchronous narrated laboratory demonstrations and synchronous/active video conference sessions and included a novel, video-based assessment tool. Data were obtained using summative assessments and a final course evaluation. Test scores for the online practical examination were significantly improved over those for previous in-person dissection-based examinations, as evidenced by several measures of performance (Mean: 2015-2019: 82.5%; 2020: 94.9%; P = 0.003). Concurrently, didactic test scores were slightly, but not significantly, improved (Mean: 2015-2019: 88.0%; 2020: 89.9%). Student evaluations of online sessions and overall course were highly positive. Results indicated that this innovative online teaching package can provide an effective alternative when in-person dissection laboratory is unavailable. Although this approach consumed considerable faculty time for video editing, further development will include video conference breakout rooms to emulate dissection small-group teamwork.

Does an Audiovisual Dissection Manual Improve Medical Students' Learning in the Gross Anatomy Dissection Course?

The gross anatomy dissection course is considered to be one of the most important subjects in medical school. Advancing technology facilitates the production of e-learning material that can improve the learning of topographic anatomy during the course. The purpose of this study was to examine a locally produced audiovisual dissection manual's effects on performance in dissection, formal knowledge gained, motivation, emotions, learning behavior, and learning efficiency of the medical students. The results, combined with the total effort put into the production of the manual, should support decisions on further implementation of this kind of audiovisual e-learning resource into the university's curriculum. First-year medical students (n = 279) were randomly divided into three groups for two weeks within the regular dissection course hours during the dissection of the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck. Two groups received an audiovisual dissection manual (n = 96) or an improved written manual (n = 94) as an intervention, the control group (n = 89) received the standard dissection manual. After dissection, each student filled out tests and surveys and their dissections were evaluated. The audiovisual dissection manual did not have any significant positive effects on the examined parameters. The effects of the audiovisual dissection manual on the medical students' learning experience, as observed in this study, did not support further curriculum implementation of this kind of e-learning resource. This study can serve as an orientation for further evaluation and design of e-learning resources for the gross anatomy dissection course.

Exploring opportunities for embedding graduate attributes in a first-year undergraduate anatomy course for allied health students.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing discontent within the health care industry regarding the state of preparedness of graduates to adequately function in a dynamic work environment. It is therefore required of higher education institutions to equip graduates with skills beyond disciplinary expertise, which would allow them to function optimally in work environments. This study presents a team dissection project that incorporates graduate attributes in an undergraduate first-year anatomy course for the medical orthotics and prosthetics program. METHOD: Focus group interviews with students (n = 23) were used to demonstrate the achievement of graduate attributes by aligning student perceptions of the dissection project with graduate attributes and indicators thereof. RESULTS: Students were positive about the effectiveness of the dissection project in enforcing anatomical knowledge; ensuring active engagement with human material; enhancing communication skills and teamwork; and increasing sensitivity towards cultural diversity. These views related largely to those graduate attributes which engage students towards becoming active and reflective learners; creative thinkers; independent and collaborative workers; effective communicators; and culturally and socially aware citizens. Areas of dissatisfaction included challenges with the use of technology for the video preparation; repetition of presentations and large dissection teams. CONCLUSION: There is an emerging view that graduate attributes be integrated as early as possible into program curricula so as to become intrinsic in a student's academic and professional development. Through the expansion of a dissection project forming part of a subject taught very early on in a program's curriculum, the integration of graduate attributes and discipline-specific competencies are highlighted.