Renal anatomy review activity using 3D digital models and clinical cases

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomy Visualization
• Digital Learning Technologies

Background:

• Reduced contact hours necessitate innovative anatomy visualization methods.
• Three-dimensional (3D) modeling is a growing area in anatomy education.
• Photogrammetry offers a novel approach to creating 3D digital models from anatomical specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benefits of photogrammetry in anatomy education.
• To assess the impact of 3D photogrammetry models on student performance in a preclinical medical course.
• To explore the potential of 3D models in active learning for renal and genitourinary systems.

Main Methods:

• An active learning session was designed for first-year medical students.
• The session included a pre-test, lecture, and collaborative review of 3D photogrammetry models and clinical cases.
• A post-test was administered to measure immediate learning gains.

Main Results:

• Students who participated in the active learning session showed significantly higher scores on the post-test compared to the pre-test (p < 0.001).
• Post-test scores correlated with improved performance on class exams and board exams, accounting for 3-8% of score variability.
• The positive impact on student learning was immediate and appeared to be stable.

Conclusions:

• The use of 3D digital models generated via photogrammetry, combined with clinical cases, positively impacts student learning in preclinical anatomy.
• Photogrammetry serves as an effective tool for enhancing anatomy education and active learning strategies.
• Further research is warranted to explore the application and efficacy of photogrammetry in medical curricula.