An evaluation of the use of 3D-printed anatomical models in anatomy education

Medical students primarily learn anatomy through lectures and atlases. Since mastering anatomy requires spatial visualization, dissection of cadavers has traditionally been regarded as the most effective approach in this discipline. Unfortunately, there are many drawbacks to this method, including accessibility issues. Nowadays, the use of 3D printing and other advanced technologies as educational tools in anatomy courses has been on the rise and they can play an extremely beneficial role in this regard. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of 3D printed anatomical models for student education.

The selected anatomical models were scanned using a 3D scanner, taking into account their 3D features and their application in hands-on learning settings. Minor modifications were made to the scanned files with the help of computer software before they were printed. Ultimately, the models were assessed by faculty members and students from different disciplines.

Once the models were prepared, they were given to various groups, including professors, medical students, MSc anatomy students, surgery residents, and BSc radiology students for evaluation. The opinions of these groups were then compared across two sets of models, and their assessments were analyzed in various cases. The feedback from four groups of students i.e. medical students, MSc anatomy students, surgery residents, and BSc radiology students indicated a notable contrast with the feedback from the professors' group.

3D printed models serve as valuable resources for teaching and learning anatomy from diverse viewpoints, catering to learners at different levels of study. Nevertheless, despite the usefulness of 3D models, anatomy professors believe that natural specimens associated with cadavers remain the most essential teaching resource for anatomy.