Distance education for anatomy and surgical training - A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Anatomy Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of distance learning in medical education.
• Traditional teaching methods were rapidly replaced by online platforms.
• The effectiveness of distance learning in anatomy and surgical training required evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the effectiveness of distance learning in anatomy and surgical training.
• To analyze student and tutor feedback on distance learning modalities.
• To identify benefits and limitations of remote education in these fields.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review adhering to the PRISMA statement.
• Searches conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and PubMed.
• Inclusion of 20 studies for qualitative analysis from 182 identified non-duplicate studies.

Main Results:

• 10 studies assessed student performance, with 5 showing improved outcomes and 2 showing non-inferior results compared to traditional methods.
• Student feedback was largely positive, highlighting flexibility, efficiency, and motivation.
• Tutor feedback indicated benefits in performance tracking but concerns regarding hands-on experience and technical issues.

Conclusions:

• Distance learning presents a viable option for anatomy and surgical education.
• Key advantages include flexibility and improved student motivation.
• Addressing limitations such as lack of practical experience and technical challenges is crucial for optimizing remote surgical and anatomy training.