The anatomical basis of clinical practice: an anatomy learning programme

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomy
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Traditional medical education often emphasizes passive learning.
• Optimizing medical students' enthusiasm for learning is crucial for effective knowledge acquisition.
• An evolving medical school curriculum sought to improve student engagement in anatomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate an anatomy learning program designed to foster student enthusiasm.
• To shift the focus from being taught to actively learning anatomical concepts.
• To integrate anatomical knowledge with clinical applications within medical training.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a specifically designed course guide and weekly topographic slide presentations.
• Incorporation of peer-directed group tutorials led by senior students and guided by teachers.
• Encouragement of personal dissection, use of a departmental museum, and audio-visual aids.

Main Results:

• The program integrates surgical and radiological teaching to reinforce clinical relevance.
• Students utilize tutorial sessions for self-evaluation of their understanding.
• Promotional evaluation includes tutor assessments, multiple-choice tests, identification tasks, and an oral examination.

Conclusions:

• The anatomy learning program aims to optimize medical students' active engagement and learning.
• The multifaceted approach, including peer teaching and clinical integration, supports comprehensive anatomical understanding.
• The evaluation methods assess both self-perceived learning and objective performance in anatomy.