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The future of gross anatomy teaching
1Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, USA.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Many anatomy departments report fewer graduate students enrolling in and teaching human gross anatomy. This decline is more pronounced in anatomy than in physiology or biochemistry, necessitating new teacher training programs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Declining enrollment of graduate students in human gross anatomy courses has been observed.
- This trend is more significant in anatomy departments compared to physiology and biochemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey U.S. departments of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry regarding graduate student enrollment and teaching in human gross anatomy.
- To identify the extent of enrollment and teaching declines in human gross anatomy.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to U.S. departments of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
- Data on graduate student numbers taking and teaching human gross anatomy courses were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 39% of anatomy departments reported a decrease in graduate students taking human gross anatomy.
- 42% of anatomy departments reported a decrease in graduate students teaching human gross anatomy.
- Anatomy experienced greater declines than physiology and biochemistry.
Conclusions:
- A significant trend of decreasing graduate student involvement in human gross anatomy exists.
- Establishment of specific training programs for gross anatomy teachers is recommended to reverse this trend.
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