Specialist anatomy: Is the structure of teaching adequate?

A knowledge and understanding of specialist anatomy, which includes radiological, laparoscopic, endoscopic and endovascular anatomy is essential for interpretation of imaging and development of procedural skills.

Medical students, specialist trainees and specialists from the London (England, UK) area were surveyed to investigate individual experiences and recommendations for: (1) timing of the introduction of specialist anatomy teaching, and (2) pedagogical methods used. Opinions relating to radiological, laparoscopic, endoscopic and endovascular anatomy were collected. Non-parametric tests were used to investigate differences in recommendations between specialist trainees and specialists.

Two hundred and twenty-eight (53%) individuals responded to the survey. Imaging was most commonly used to learn radiological anatomy (94.5%). Procedural observation was most commonly used to learn laparoscopic (89.0%), endoscopic (87.3%) and endovascular anatomy (66.2%). Imaging was the most recommended method to learn radiological anatomy (92.1%). Procedural observation was the most recommended method for learning laparoscopic (80.0%), endoscopic (81.2%) and endovascular anatomy (42.5%). Specialist trainees and specialists recommended introduction of specialist anatomy during undergraduate training.

Although the methods for specialist anatomy learning are in practice, there is no consensus on timing and structure within the anatomy curriculum. Recommendations from trainees and specialists should be considered so that the existing curriculum can be refined to maximise learning outcomes.