Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Path Modelling Determined Predictors of Students Reported Human Cadaver...

Area of Science:

• Anatomy Education
• Medical Pedagogy
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Human cadaver dissection is a cornerstone of anatomical instruction in low- and middle-income countries.
• This experience can be traumatic and stressful, influencing students' responses to future clinical challenges.
• Understanding factors affecting student engagement in dissection is crucial for optimizing learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of student personality, learning environment perception, learning approach, and environmental impact on activity in human cadaver dissection rooms.
• To identify potential areas for educational interventions to enhance student engagement.
• To analyze these effects using secondary data from a cross-sectional survey.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of existing cross-sectional survey data.
• Application of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).
• Assessment of factors including personality, learning environment perception, learning approach, and environmental impact on dissection room activity.

Main Results:

• Personality type and perception of the learning environment showed a positive association with dissection room activity.
• Learning approach and the effect of the environment (impact) demonstrated a negative association with dissection room activity.
• None of the observed effects on dissection room activity were statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Student personality and perception of the learning environment are key factors influencing engagement in human cadaver dissection.
• Learning approach and the emotional impact of the dissection experience also affect student activity.
• While not statistically significant in this analysis, these factors present opportunities for targeted educational interventions to improve student participation and learning outcomes in anatomy dissection labs.