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Evaluation of a computer-based program for teaching cardiac anatomy
W Stanford1, W E Erkonen, M D Cassell
1Department of Radiology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Rationale And Objectives:
The authors determined to what extent a computer-based program could enhance or substitute for cadaver dissection in teaching cardiac anatomy to first-year medical students.
Methods:
First-year medical students (n = 175) were randomized into four groups. Group 1 (control) received no instruction, group 2 participated in cardiac dissection, group 3 viewed the computer application, and group 4 performed cardiac dissection and then viewed the computer application. Each group was tested with 10 ultrafast computed tomographic static images and 8 cardiac cadaver specimens.
Results:
The computer program plus dissection was superior to either the computer program alone or dissection alone; however, the results varied according to the subtest used to assess the outcomes.
Conclusions:
Cardiac computer instruction after dissection resulted in dramatically improved image testing performance. However, computer instruction should not replace dissection for teaching cardiac anatomy.