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"Anatomy"

Medical education in an Asian context

From crisis to opportunity: enhancing anatomy education in a post-COVID world: the Universiti Sains Malaysia experience
Sofiah Hanis Ahmad Hisham, Siti Nurma Hanim Hadie, Fazlina Kasim, Shamsi Amalina Shamsuddin
Korean J Med Educ 2024;36(4):435-443.
Published online November 28, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2024.315
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has fundamentally reshaped anatomy education, offering invaluable insights to guide the future of anatomy pedagogy. As we transition into a post-pandemic era, it is crucial to integrate the lessons learned to create a more resilient, flexible, and effective educational environment. This paper examines the transformative strategies implemented at Universiti Sains Malaysia during the pandemic, focusing on the empowerment of blended learning, technology-enhanced tools, student-centered learning practical sessions, and enhancement of formative assessment. These strategies include integrating digital learning resources, such as the Virtual Anatomy Museum and online histology quizzes, with in-person instruction, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment. Additionally, practical sessions were redesigned to emphasize collaborative learning, peer teaching, and developing critical thinking and communication skills. Formative assessments were integrated to provide continuous feedback and support ongoing learning. This comprehensive approach not only enhanced students’ understanding of anatomical concepts but also improved their emotional well-being and overall learning experience. The lessons learned from the pandemic have paved the way for a more innovative and adaptive anatomy education that is well-prepared for future challenges.

Citations

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  • A global overview of anatomical science education and its present and future role in biomedical curricula
    Michael Hortsch, Virginia Claudia Carneiro Girão‐Carmona, Ana Caroline Rocha de Melo Leite, Ilias P. Nikas, Margaret K. Gatumu, Nii Koney‐Kwaku Koney, Benjamin Arko‐Boham, Doris George Yohannan, Aswathy Maria Oommen, Yan Li, Jian Yang, Alexandra F. Trollo
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2026; 19(1): 5.     CrossRef
  • Medical students’ perceptions of anatomy teaching resources and their impact on learning outcomes: Insights from a private medical university in Malaysia
    Sambhram Samdeshi, Krishna Chaitanya Reddy Dandala, Thirupathirao Vishnumukkala, Prarthana Kalerammana Gopalakrishna, Gandrakota Ravindranadh, Mohammad Yusuf Bin Abdul Latif, Sowmya Ramakrishnappa, Saravanan Jagadeesan, Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir, Sr
    Translational Research in Anatomy.2026; 42: 100454.     CrossRef
  • From pandemic to earthquakes: crisis-driven challenges in distance anatomy education
    Asli Beril Karakas
    BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • 1,761 View
  • 64 Download
  • Crossref
  • 3 Scopus

Original Research

Spatial ability and anatomy learning performance among dental students
Erli Sarilita, Yurika Ambar Lita, Dani Rizali Firman, Tracey Wilkinson, Sri Susilawati, Risti Saptarini, Dudi Aripin, Endang Sjamsudin
Korean J Med Educ 2022;34(4):309-318.
Published online November 29, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2022.239
Purpose
Spatial perception is an essential skill for professional dentists. The
objective
of this study was to observe the spatial ability, as well as anatomy module grades, of dental students at a dental education center in Indonesia and relate these to gender and cohort.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out where dental students in years (cohorts) 1, 2, 4–6 were invited to take the Revised Purdue Spatial Visualization Test (PSVT-R) and the redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test (MRT) in order to assess spatial ability. In addition, the 1st- and 2nd-year dental students carried out gross anatomy assessments. Spatial ability test results were compared using an independent t-test to detect gender differences, one-way analysis of variance to inspect cohort differences, and correlation relative to anatomy module scores.
Results
A total of 326 dental students voluntarily participated. Statistically significant gender differences were found in both spatial ability tests in the overall sample (PSVT-R: p<0.001; MRT: p=0.001). When the 1st- and 2nd-year dental students were pooled, significant gender differences were detected, in which males scored higher than females in both spatial ability tests (PSVT-R: p<0.001; MRT: p=0.003). In anatomy, however, females scored higher than the males (p=0.005). In addition, there were weak to moderate, but significant correlations between spatial ability tests and anatomy scores.
Conclusion
This study indicated that spatial ability may not be the only factor predicting the academic performance of dental students. However, dental students with low spatial ability scores may need supplementary educational techniques when learning specific spatial tasks.

Citations

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  • Does gender influence learning, perceptions and retention in regional anatomy dissection courses?
    Veronica Antipova, Martin Siwetz, Franz A. Fellner, Simone Manhal, Julian F. Niedermair, Benjamin Ondruschka, Amélie J. Poilliot, Monika Wimmer-Röll, Andreas Wree, Niels Hammer
    Anatomical Science International.2026; 101(1): 61.     CrossRef
  • Icon, Index, Symbol: Deepening Histological Understanding Through Semiotics and Embodiment
    C. Galli, M. T. Colangelo, P. Mirandola, S. Guizzardi
    Biosemiotics.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Patellofemoral Joint Improves Understanding of Trochlear Anatomy and Pathology and Planning of Realignment
    Christopher A. Schneble, Kristin Yu, Madhusudhan Venkadesan, Daniel Cooperman, Brian Beitler, Johannes Sieberer, John Fulkerson
    Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery.2025; 41(1): 130.     CrossRef
  • How does gender influence student learning, stress and career choice in endodontics?
    Johanna Kichenin, Karen Vallaeys, Reza Arbab Chirani, Henry Fergus Duncan, Valerie Chevalier
    International Endodontic Journal.2025; 58(9): 1289.     CrossRef
  • Exploring the Application Capability of ChatGPT as an Instructor in Skills Education for Dental Medical Students: Randomized Controlled Trial
    Siyu Huang, Chang Wen, Xueying Bai, Sihong Li, Shuining Wang, Xiaoxuan Wang, Dong Yang
    Journal of Medical Internet Research.2025; 27: e68538.     CrossRef
  • Exploring the potential malleability of spatial skills through anatomy teaching: A quantitative study among medical students
    Mandeep Gill Sagoo, Pak Yin Lam, Sharukesi Theivendran, Richard Wingate
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2025; 18(9): 961.     CrossRef
  • Seeing to learn and learning to see: histology teaching between new technologies, old paradigms and natural cyborgs
    C. Galli, M. T. Colangelo, P. Mirandola, S. Guizzardi
    Advances in Health Sciences Education.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Investigation of factors that influence the relationship between mental rotation ability and anatomy learning
    M.S. Yousuf, A. Alsawareah, A. Alhroub, H. Albalawneh, O. Ajhar, M. Al Qassem, A. Daboul
    Morphologie.2024; 108(360): 100728.     CrossRef
  • Design and Validation of a Virtual Reality Mental Rotation Test
    Kristin A. Bartlett, Almudena Palacios-Ibáñez, Jorge Dorribo Camba
    ACM Transactions on Applied Perception.2024; 21(2): 1.     CrossRef
  • Virtual sketching‐based dental anatomy module improves learners' abilities to use computer‐aided design to create dental restorations and prostheses
    MengWei Pang, XueLu Tong, XiaoHan Zhao, JiaWu Wan, HuBin Yin, Na Yu, ChaoYi Ma, WeiYi Zhang, YiHan Xu, YingQi Ren, ManYu Xiong, WeiJie Kong, ZeXin Luo, LanXin Yang, FaBing Tan, Yi Li, XiaoMing Fu, YuanDing Huang, Jinlin Song, Sheng Yang, Ping Ji
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2024; 17(6): 1251.     CrossRef
  • 4,218 View
  • 108 Download
  • Crossref
  • 12 Scopus

Short Communication

Exploring medical students’ perception of non-face-to-face theory and face-to-face laboratory classes during COVID-19 pandemic: focusing on anatomy course
Hye Jin Park, Ran Sook Woo, Dae Yong Song, Hong Il Yoo
Korean J Med Educ 2022;34(3):223-229.
Published online August 26, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2022.232
Purpose
This study investigated students’ perceptions of non-face-to-face theory classes and face-to-face laboratory classes conducted in anatomy courses at medical schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Methods
This study utilized a questionnaire to assess self-reported academic achievement level, satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes, satisfaction with face-to-face laboratory classes, and self-directed learning level, and conducted difference verification and regression analysis for 51 students who took anatomy courses from the fall semester of 2020 to the spring semester of 2021.
Results
The group with a high self-reported academic achievement level was more satisfied with the non-face-to-face theory classes than the group with a low self-reported academic achievement level. The group with a high self-reported academic achievement level had a higher self-directed learning level than the group with a low self-reported academic achievement level. In addition, it was found that the higher the self-directed learning level, the higher the satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes.
Conclusion
These results suggest that to enhance satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes in an anatomy course, a favorable class environment that can increase the self-directed learning level is needed. In particular, careful concern is required when designing non-face-to-face classes for students with a low self-reported academic achievement.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  Crossref logo
  • Examination of medical students’ opinions on multimedia learning materials according to social cues: focusing on sound principles
    Wonseok Chang, Yura Kim, Hye Jin Park
    Korean Journal of Medical Education.2024; 36(1): 105.     CrossRef
  • 3,782 View
  • 94 Download
  • Crossref
  • 1 Scopus

Original Research

Retrospective analysis of prevalent anatomy spotter’s examination: an educational audit
Amit Purushottam Tirpude, Manisha Gaikwad, Pradhnya Amit Tirpude, Mantu Jain, Santanu Bora
Korean J Med Educ 2019;31(2):115-124.
Published online May 30, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2019.123
Purpose
The spotter’s (
objective
ly structured practical examination) is an assessment tool which is widely used to test the practical knowledge of anatomy extensively. In Indian context it is used as an inclusive model in the gross anatomy practical examination and the marks allotted to it varies. The traditional spotter examination often has been blamed for only incorporating the initial levels of revised Bloom’s taxonomy. This study retrospectively analysed the pre-professional spotter’s examination score and tested its efficacy in terms of reliability, internal consistency, validity, educational impact, and resource intensiveness.
Methods
The summative data of student’s score on four different days of unrepeated spotter’s examination and final theory examination score was collected and tabulated. These four group of students acted as independent cohorts. The difficulty index (DI), point biserial correlation (PBC), Cronbach α (CA) and descriptive statistics of each cohort were calculated. Revised bloom taxonomy rating was applied to spotter’s.
Results
We found heterogenous distribution of spotter’s in each cohort according to DI. The PBCs and CA of each cohort were acceptable. The majority of spotter’s tested the cognitive and comprehension domain of revised bloom’s taxonomy. There was nonsignificant difference between mean scores of cohorts but we found low positive significant correlation between theory and spotter’s score.
Conclusion
We concluded that the construct of spotter’s was reliable, internally consistent, had fair validity, variable educational impact, and sustainable resource intensiveness. We propose urgent redesigning of spotter’s to include higher level of taxonomy to comply with emerging curricular changes.

Citations

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  • Master students’ perception and attitude on methods of anatomy teaching and assessment, Khartoum, Sudan 2014–2020
    Rawan Sharaf Eldein Elamein Hassan, Razan Sharaf Eldein Elamein Hassan, Khalid Alamin Awad
    BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Onscreen versus Physical Spotters: Effect on Scores and Perception of Undergraduate Medical Students and Faculty of Community Medicine
    Mitasha Singh, Nidhi Budh, Vikas Kumar, Ravi Prakash Jha, Gunjan Mahaur
    NMO Journal.2025; 19(2): 101.     CrossRef
  • Evaluation of undergraduate medical students’ preference to human anatomy practical assessment methodology: a comparison between online and traditional methods
    T. Sadeesh, G. Prabavathy, Arthi Ganapathy
    Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy.2021; 43(4): 531.     CrossRef
  • Multiple‐Choice versus Open‐Ended Questions in Advanced Clinical Neuroanatomy: Using a National Neuroanatomy Assessment to Investigate Variability in Performance Using Different Question Types
    Wassim H. Merzougui, Matthew A. Myers, Samuel Hall, Ahmad Elmansouri, Rob Parker, Alistair D. Robson, Octavia Kurn, Rachel Parrott, Kate Geoghegan, Charlotte H. Harrison, Deepika Anbu, Oliver Dean, Scott Border
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2021; 14(3): 296.     CrossRef
  • Anatomi Bilgisini Değerlendirmede Kullanılan Uygulama Sınavları
    Senem TURAN OZDEMIR, Meriç YILDIZ YILMAZ
    Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi.2020; 46(3): 413.     CrossRef
  • 8,509 View
  • 129 Download
  • Crossref
  • 4 Scopus
Original Article
Digital lectures for learning gross anatomy: a study of their efficacy
Anudeep Singh, Aung Ko Ko Min
Korean J Med Educ 2017;29(1):27-32.
Published online February 28, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2017.50
Purpose
The current study investigates the level of students’ learning and attitudes towards the teaching and learning process when using digital lectures to teach gross anatomy to year 1 medical students.
Methods
The study sampled year 1 medical students of cohorts 2013 and 2014. The year 1 medical students in 2013 were taught gross anatomy of the heart by didactic classroom lectures while those in 2014 were taught with digital lectures using the same content. A review session was conducted for the 2014 cohort. A 19-item survey was distributed amongst students to investigate their attitudes and feedback. The data were analysed using SPSS software.
Results
The 2014 cohort had a mean score of 47.65 for short essay questions and 51.19 for multiple choice questions, while the 2013 cohort scored an average of 36.80 for short essay questions and 49.22 for multiple choice questions. The difference in scores for each type of question was found to be significant. Using a 5-point Likert scale, students gave an average of 4.11 when asked if they liked the teaching and learning process and would like it to be applied further.
Conclusion
The results of the study provide strong evidence that the digital teaching and learning process was well received by students and could also lead to improved performance. Digital lectures can provide a satisfactory substitute for classroom lectures to teach gross anatomy, thus providing flexibility in learning and efficient learning, whilst also freeing lecture slots to promote mastery learning.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  Crossref logo
  • From classroom to screen: a cross-sectional study on medical students’ first experiences with e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
    Laleh Khojasteh, Zahra Karimian, Elham Nasiri, Sedigheh Sharifzadeh, Majid Reza Farrokhi
    Frontiers in Education.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Comparison of online to face-to-face instruction for anatomy review in a third-year clinical course
    Jocelyn Faydenko, Thomas Grieve, Dana Madigan, Judith D. Pocius, Christopher Olsen, Gregory D. Cramer
    Journal of Chiropractic Education.2024; 38(1): 23.     CrossRef
  • The effect of online video-assisted teaching program on medical students learning procedure of fractional curettage
    Oracha Chucherd, Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara, Krissada Paiwattananupant, Pongtong Puranitee, Rujira Wattanayingcharoenchai, Orawin Vallibhakara
    BMC Medical Education.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Perception and Challenges of Virtual Classes with Gender Digital Divide amidst and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in Iraq: An Empirical Analysis
    Tuba Kamal, Mohammed Arshad Khan, Zubair Hamad, Asheref Illiyan, Alok Kumar Das, Abdulaziz Alkhuraydili, Goutam Saha
    Education Research International.2023; 2023: 1.     CrossRef
  • Pedagogical impact of integration of musculoskeletal anatomy blended learning on physiotherapy education
    Arnaud Delafontaine, Gabriel Saiydoun, Jérôme Frigout, Laurent Fabeck, Olivier Degrenne, François-Régis Sarhan
    Frontiers in Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Cadaver Dissection Experience for First-Time Dissectors: a Hypothetical Three-Pronged Approach for Student Preparation
    Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Jude Amechi Nnaka, Terkuma Chia
    Medical Science Educator.2023; 34(1): 257.     CrossRef
  • Assessment of dental students' satisfaction regarding online learning in Covid-19 Pandemic
    Kshitija Pandhare, Anita Kahar, Jayashree Joshi
    Clinical Dentistry.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Anatomy education for medical students in a virtual reality workspace: A pilot study
    Kohga Nakai, Satoshi Terada, Ayaka Takahara, Dany Hage, R. Shane Tubbs, Joe Iwanaga
    Clinical Anatomy.2022; 35(1): 40.     CrossRef
  • Evaluation of the online learning of veterinary anatomy education during the Covid‐19 pandemic lockdown in Egypt: Students' perceptions
    Mohamed A. A. Mahdy, Ramy K. A. Sayed
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2022; 15(1): 67.     CrossRef
  • Assessment of Anatomy Course Providing Through Distance Learning System
    İlknur DOLU, Hacer YALNIZ DİLCEN
    Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası.2022; 21(63): 42.     CrossRef
  • Deciphering Learning Motivation in Open Distance Learning towards Sustainable Medical Education
    Jun Xin Lee, Ahmad Hathim Ahmad Azman, Jing Yi Ng, Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail
    Sustainability.2022; 14(8): 4497.     CrossRef
  • A constructivist approach to teach neuroanatomy lab: Students’ perceptions of an active learning environment
    Sherif S. Hassan, Fauzia Nausheen, Frank Scali, Hina Mohsin, Charity Thomann
    Scottish Medical Journal.2022; 67(3): 80.     CrossRef
  • Perceptions of Undergraduate Medical Students towards Online Learning in a Medical College in the National Capital Region (NCR), India
    Tuhina Shree, Khushboo Juneja, Shalini Srivastava, Harsh Mahajan
    Indian Journal of Community Health.2022; 34(2): 207.     CrossRef
  • Perception of medical students regarding E-learning during lockdown in COVID–19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in a medical college, North Kerala
    Sruthikrishna Punathukandi, Meera Sivadasan Nair, Nivya Noohiyil Kaithery
    Indian Journal of Community Health.2022; 34(2): 227.     CrossRef
  • Has pedagogy, technology, and Covid‐19 killed the face‐to‐face lecture?
    Darrell J. R. Evans
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2022; 15(6): 1145.     CrossRef
  • Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Motivation in Relation to Asynchronous Anatomy Video Lectures
    Aloísio Cardoso-Júnior, Rosa Malena Delbone Faria
    Medical Science Educator.2022; 33(1): 119.     CrossRef
  • Cinematic Rendering in Anatomy: A Crossover Study Comparing a Novel 3D Reconstruction Technique to Conventional Computed Tomography
    Johannes S. Binder, Michael Scholz, Stephan Ellmann, Michael Uder, Robert Grützmann, Georg F. Weber, Christian Krautz
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2021; 14(1): 22.     CrossRef
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    Sabin Syed, Aayushi Rastogi, Akanksha Bansal, Ashish Kumar, Ankur Jindal, Arun Prakash, Gaurav Agarwal, Mohit Varshney
    Frontiers in Education.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
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    Carlos Orellano, Cesar Carcamo
    Heliyon.2021; 7(7): e07473.     CrossRef
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    Gregor Leonhard Olmes, Julia Sarah Maria Zimmermann, Lisa Stotz, Ferenc Zoltan Takacs, Amr Hamza, Marc Philipp Radosa, Sebastian Findeklee, Erich-Franz Solomayer, Julia Caroline Radosa
    Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.2021; 304(4): 957.     CrossRef
  • Is “Lecture Capture System” a Blessing in Disguise for Teaching and Learning Anatomy?
    Arvind Kumar Pandey, Sushma R. Kotian, Sneha Guruprasad Kalthur
    Journal of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences University.2021; 16(3): 485.     CrossRef
  • MEDICAL STUDENTS' FEEDBACK ON PARADIGM SHIFT TO ONLINE TEACHING DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
    R. Ravi Sunder, I. Jyothi Padmaja, Neelima. P
    GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS.2020; : 1.     CrossRef
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    Constantin Aurelian Ionescu, Liliana Paschia, Nicoleta Luminita Gudanescu Nicolau, Sorina Geanina Stanescu, Veronica Maria Neacsu Stancescu, Mihaela Denisa Coman, Marilena Carmen Uzlau
    Sustainability.2020; 12(21): 9030.     CrossRef
  • The influence of online review videos on gross anatomy course performance among doctor of chiropractic students
    Nicole M. Zipay, Christopher B. Roecker, Dustin C. Derby, Lia M. Nightingale
    Journal of Chiropractic Education.2020; 34(2): 147.     CrossRef
  • Development of a Novel Interactive Multimedia E-Learning Model to Enhance Clinical Competency Training and Quality of Care among Medical Students
    Yu-Ting Hsiao, Hsuan-Yin Liu, Chih-Cheng Hsiao
    Healthcare.2020; 8(4): 500.     CrossRef
  • The Effect of Content Delivery Style on Student Performance in Anatomy
    Lloyd J. White, Heath W. McGowan, Aaron C. McDonald
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2019; 12(1): 43.     CrossRef
  • Assessing the engagement rates and satisfaction levels of various clinical health science student sub-groups using supplementary eLearning resources in an introductory anatomy and physiology unit
    Cherylea J. Browne
    Health Education.2019; 119(1): 2.     CrossRef
  • Application of flipped classroom pedagogy to the human gross anatomy laboratory: Student preferences and learning outcomes
    Timothy R. Fleagle, Nicholas C. Borcherding, Jennie Harris, Darren S. Hoffmann
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2018; 11(4): 385.     CrossRef
  • Improving Online Interactions: Lessons from an Online Anatomy Course with a Laboratory for Undergraduate Students
    Stefanie M. Attardi, Michele L. Barbeau, Kem A. Rogers
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2018; 11(6): 592.     CrossRef
  • 3D rendering as a tool for cardiac anatomy learning in medical students
    Angie Casallas, Yobany Quijano
    Revista de la Facultad de Medicina.2018; 66(4): 611.     CrossRef
  • Connect medical education practices and research in Asia with the rest of world
    Young-Mee Lee
    Korean Journal of Medical Education.2017; 29(1): 3.     CrossRef
  • Use of Cryodehydratated Animal Anatomical Segments for Veterinary Anatomy Teaching
    ANA LUISA SCHIFINO VALENTE, Lygia Almeida
    International Journal for Innovation Education and Research.2017; 5(12): 198.     CrossRef
  • 13,176 View
  • 204 Download
  • Crossref
  • 43 Scopus
Reactions of First-Year Medical Students to Cadaver Dissection and Their Perception on Learning Methods in Anatomy
Young Hee Lee, Young-Mee Lee, Soonwook Kwon, Sun-Hwa Park
Korean J Med Educ 2011;23(4):275-283.
Published online December 31, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2011.23.4.275
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the reactions of medical students to cadaver dissection and their preferred learning methods in studying anatomy.
METHODS
Participants were 110 first-year medical students 57 from a pre-medical course and 53 from the graduate entry level. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used to assess students' emotional and physical reactions to their encounters with cadavers in the dissecting room and their preferred teaching and learning methods and materials. Frequency, paired t-test, and cross-sectional analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
Most students experienced negative physical symptoms, such as eye soreness (72%), mile headache or dizziness (40%), headache (18%), decrease in appetite (17%), nausea (15%), and disgust (10%), in the first encounter with a cadaver in the dissection room. They also experienced adverse emotional responses, such as surprise (38%), depression (37%), sadness (23%), fear (23%) and feelings of guilt (19%), anxiety (17%), and crying (2.7%). However, most of these reactions decreased significantly 8 weeks later, except for nausea. Regarding teaching and learning methods, students reported that lectures and cadaver dissections were the most helpful methods in studying anatomy.
CONCLUSION
The results shows that initial encounters with a cadaver in the dissecting room caused emotional and physical distress to first-year medical students, but most students adapted gradually to the stressful learning environment. In addition, students regarded cadaver dissection as one of the most helpful learning experiences in studying anatomy.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  Crossref logo
  • Supporting minority cultures during initial engagements with body donors in the dissecting room: A pilot study exploring perspectives of Pasifika medical students around culture and cultural safety
    Jacob Madgwick, Lynley Anderson, Jon Cornwall
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2025; 18(2): 160.     CrossRef
  • The Prevalence and Students’ Perception of the Use of Background Music During Cadaver Dissection in Sub-Saharan Africa
    Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Jude Amechi Nnaka, Victor Udochukwu Ezeike
    Medical Science Educator.2025; 35(2): 711.     CrossRef
  • Cadaveric specimens versus synthetic models for learning gross human anatomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Arthur Castro de Lima, Caio Erick Vieira de Souza, Jocilene Matos Ribeiro, Ketlen Joele do Nascimento Pessoa, Carlos Kauan Costa da Silva, Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira, Ricardo Borges Viana
    Journal of Biological Education.2025; : 1.     CrossRef
  • Habituation for professional learning: a qualitative study of physiotherapy students’ experiences working with anatomy cadavers
    Rebecca Bergen, Emily Lowry, Luke Gregg, Heejin Kim, Miranda Lee, Alex Wu, Barbara E. Gibson, James Shaw
    Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.2024; 40(9): 2051.     CrossRef
  • Commemoration of body donors in a religiously diverse society: A tale of two Korean medical schools
    Sae‐Ock Oh, Boon Huat Bay, Hee‐Jin Kim, Hye Yeon Lee, Sik Yoon
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2024; 17(8): 1618.     CrossRef
  • Emotional preparedness for human body donor dissection in premedical education: A pilot program evaluation
    Mange Manyama, Matthew A. Carey, Padmakumari Sarada, Rachid Bendriss
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2024; 17(6): 1189.     CrossRef
  • Medical students' initial experiences of the dissection room and interaction with body donors: A qualitative study of professional identity formation, educational benefits, and the experience of Pasifika students
    Jacob Madgwick, Lynley Anderson, Jon Cornwall
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The Need for the Standards for Anatomy Labs in Medical School Evaluation and Accreditation
    Yu-Ran Heo, Jae-Ho Lee
    Anatomy & Biological Anthropology.2023; 36(3): 81.     CrossRef
  • What emotions do physical therapy students feel during their first visit to the dissection room?
    Carmen Romo-Barrientos, Antonio Viñuela, Alicia Mohedano-Moriano, Isabel Ubeda-Bañon, Daniel Saiz-Sánchez, Javier Aceituno-Gómez, María José Guzmán Pavón, Miriam López Crespo, Daniel Torres Martín, Alino Martinez-Marcos, Juan José Criado-Álvarez
    Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger.2022; 239: 151777.     CrossRef
  • Current Status of Fixation Methods and Management of Cadavers in Medical Colleges/Medical Graduate Schools
    Kwang Rak Park, Jeong hyun Park, Anna Bae, Jae-Ho Lee
    Anatomy & Biological Anthropology.2022; 35(2): 41.     CrossRef
  • Differences Between Attached and Detached Cadaveric Prosections on Students' Identification Ability During Practical Examinations
    Spencer Mattingly, Elizabeth Hardesty, Kevin Chovanec, Marlon E. Cobos, Jacqueline Garcia, Meghan Grizzle, Amanda Huerta, Jesse Ohtake, Daniel Romero‐Alvarez, Victor H. Gonzalez
    Anatomical Sciences Education.2021; 14(6): 808.     CrossRef
  • Exploration of the changes in the perceptions of medical students about cadaver dissections using metaphors
    Hyo-Hyun Yoo, Sein Shin, Jun-Ki Lee
    Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences.2021; 16(3): 307.     CrossRef
  • Students' Response to Anatomy Practice in era of the COVID-19 Pandemic
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The Effects of Medical Students' Achievement Goal Orientations on Affective Attitudes towards Anatomy Learning
Soohyun Jeon, Young-Mee Lee, Sun-Hwa Park
Korean J Med Educ 2008;20(3):189-198.
Published online September 30, 2008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2008.20.3.189
PURPOSE
This study was designed to investigate how medical students' achievement goal orientations towards anatomy class influence perceived affect towards anatomy learning.
METHODS
Participants were 124 medical students. Students' self-report measures were used for the assessment of their achievement goal orientations, perceived value, interests, effort, tension, test anxiety, and negative dissection experiences. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used for the data analyses. RESULTS: Students with high levels of mastery-approach goals displayed high interests, values, and efforts while they showed low levels of tension, test anxiety, and negative dissection experiences. In contrast, students with high mastery- and performance-avoidance goals showed high levels of tension and/or test anxiety. Students' performance-approach goals are positively associated with both high effort and high negative dissection experiences. CONCLUSION: These findings offer theoretical and practical implications for anatomy teaching and learning by suggesting that students' learning experiences vary in terms of students' achievement goal orientations which may make differences in students' psychological experiences in a class.

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    Korean Journal of Medical Education.2016; 28(1): 17.     CrossRef
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    Advances in Health Sciences Education.2015; 20(1): 45.     CrossRef
  • Can achievement goal theory provide a useful motivational perspective for explaining psychosocial attributes of medical students?
    Nir Madjar, Yaacov G Bachner, Talma Kushnir
    BMC Medical Education.2012;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The Mediating Effects of Learning Attitude on Achievement Goal Orientation and Non-cognitive Results in Action Learning
    Eun Hyeon Koh, 양성수
    The Korean Journal of Educational Methodology Studies.2012; 24(2): 477.     CrossRef
  • Reactions of First-Year Medical Students to Cadaver Dissection and Their Perception on Learning Methods in Anatomy
    Young Hee Lee, Young-Mee Lee, Soonwook Kwon, Sun-Hwa Park
    Korean Journal of Medical Education.2011; 23(4): 275.     CrossRef
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Learning Effects of Computer-aided Anatomy Laboratory
Won Bok Lee, Kyung Yong Kim, Sang Ho Baik
Korean J Med Educ 1999;11(1):77-81.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.1999.11.1.77
To determine whether computer aided sessions can effectively replace some of the labor intensive laboratories in human gross anatomy, second-year medical students at the College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University were randomly assigned to either a traditional cadaver-dissection or self-learning using intensive computer programs of gross anatomy covering the same materials. After finishing the six-week anatomy course covering the upper and lower extremities, two groups of students were tested in written and practical examinations. Even though they were tested on an actual cadaver, in a statistical analysis, the performance of thirty students in the computer-lab were not significantly different from sixty-five students group in the dissecting lab. It strongly suggestes that part of traditional gross anatomy laboratory can be replaced to a digitalized laboratory.

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