Anatomy at Risk: An App for Evaluating Hand Lacerations and Planning Surgical Incisions

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomy
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Traditional anatomy resources often lack interactive depth.
• Effective learning of hand and wrist anatomy is crucial for medical diagnosis and treatment.
• Existing digital resources may not fully meet the needs of medical learners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate Anatomy at Risk (AAR), a free, accessible online application for hand and wrist anatomy education.
• To provide an interactive platform for learning anatomical structures, physical examinations, and injury diagnosis.
• To enhance the quality and accessibility of anatomical education for medical and academic learners globally.

Main Methods:

• A beta version of the AAR app was trialed by 16 medical learners using talk-aloud sessions and surveys.
• A subsequent trial involved physician assistant students using the released version of the app with the same survey.
• Feedback focused on practicality, usability, and educational benefits.

Main Results:

• The majority of learners reported high educational value, ease of use, and quality content.
• Positive feedback highlighted the user interface and video quality.
• Initial usability issues related to navigation and mobile use were resolved in the final version.

Conclusions:

• Anatomy at Risk (AAR) is an effective, user-friendly global resource for learning hand and wrist anatomy and examination techniques.
• Medical learners confirmed its significant educational value for understanding anatomy and diagnosing injuries.
• The app facilitates the identification of at-risk structures and relevant diagnostic examinations.