Motivation and learning methods of anatomy: Associations with mental well-being

Appropriate anatomy education for speech and language therapists is a crucial part of preparation for clinical practice. While much research has been conducted regarding the anatomical education of medical students, there is a paucity of evidence for speech and language therapy students. This study assessed the methods employed by a cohort of first-year speech and language therapy students to learn anatomy, their perceptions of the clinical importance of anatomy and motivation to learn anatomy (using a modified version of the motivation strategies for learning questionnaire) and how this related to potential barriers to motivation such as mental well-being (using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale [WEMWBS]). Analysis revealed that 92% of students agreed or strongly agreed that a sound knowledge of anatomy is important for clinical practice, 74% agreed or strongly agreed that listening at lectures was how they primarily learned anatomy, and 91% of students agreed or strongly agreed that they worried a great deal about tests. The latter statement was negatively correlated with a number of statements on the WEMWBS. Overall, the data revealed that first-year speech and language therapy students place importance on anatomy and its role in their future clinical practice, that they have different preferences for learning anatomy compared to medical students, and also have significant anxiety surrounding anatomy examinations. Multiple significant correlations between responses to the motivation and mental well-being questionnaires suggest that there is a significant relationship between first-year student motivation to learn anatomy and well-being.