Incorporating Clinical Examination Skills Into a Preclinical Anatomy Course: A Method for Facilitating Engagement and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gross Anatomy
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Traditional anatomy instruction may not fully engage pre-clinical students.
• Connecting anatomical knowledge to clinical practice is crucial for medical training.
• Cadaver dissection is a cornerstone of anatomy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate clinical skills of inspection and palpation into pre-clinical anatomy dissection labs.
• To enhance student engagement and anatomical understanding through a clinically relevant approach.
• To demonstrate the value of tactile and visual examination in learning anatomy.

Main Methods:

• Students performed inspection and palpation on cadaver donors to identify anatomical structures and relationships.
• The activity focused on recognizing potential abnormalities and understanding disease mechanisms.
• A specific case involving a clavicle tumor was used as a learning objective.

Main Results:

• Inspection and palpation methods significantly increased student engagement and interest in anatomy.
• The activity facilitated deeper anatomical understanding and connection to clinical relevance.
• Students developed a greater respect for cadaver donors, viewing them as patients.

Conclusions:

• Integrating clinical skills into anatomy labs enhances learning and engagement.
• Inspection and palpation are valuable, underutilized methods for anatomy education.
• This approach enriches the cadaver dissection experience and promotes respect for donors.