Assessing the Utilization and Effectiveness of YouTube in Anatomy Education Among Medical Students: A Survey-Based Study

Abstract

IntroductionLearning methodologies, particularly in medical education, are evolving with the integration of internetbased technologies into daily life. As a platform, YouTube has become a significant tool for studying human anatomy among medical students. This study aims to assess the utilization of YouTube in learning human anatomy, the types of audio-visual materials used, and the platform's perceived effectiveness in understanding and memorizing anatomical information. MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 200 medical students at a medical college over one year, of whom 195 completed the questionnaire and were included. The questionnaire addressed general YouTube usage, specific usage for medical studies and human anatomy, types of audio-visual materials used, and the perceived effectiveness of YouTube in understanding and memorizing anatomical information. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) for Pearson's chi-square test to determine statistical differences based on gender and year of study. ResultsThe study cohort comprised 195 medical students (average age: 19.8±1.1 years), 62.6% females and 37.4% males. YouTube emerged as extensively utilized, with 94.5% of males and 96.7% of females reporting general usage and 91.8% of males and 89.3% of females utilizing it for medical studies. For human anatomy learning, 93.2% of males and 89.3% of females relied on YouTube. Among the audio-visual materials, PowerPoint presentations were most prevalent, favored by 46.5% of males and 41.8% of females. Regarding effectiveness, 82.1% of males and 83.7% of females affirmed YouTube's enhancement of anatomical understanding, with 89% of males and 85.3% of females acknowledging its aid in memorization. Additionally, 90.4% of males and 87.3% of females recommended YouTube as an anatomy learning tool. Despite observed gender-based preferences for specific content types, no statistically significant differences were discerned in YouTube's usage and perception across genders. ConclusionsYouTube is a widely used and effective tool for the study of human anatomy among medical students, facilitating the understanding and memorization of anatomical information. While cadaver dissection remains an irreplaceable part of medical education, the addition of YouTube as a learning resource can enhance the educational experience. Future research should focus on the in-depth exploration of content satisfaction and the potential role of YouTube in the broader anatomy curriculum.

Information literacy skills of health professions students in assessing YouTube medical education content

“…The extent of YouTube use in the health professions can be seen in a recent study by Alzoubi et al (2023), in which 699 medical students were surveyed, and 82.3% of the students used YouTube to supplement their learning. In a newer study by Pradhan et al (2024), of 195 medical students, 91.8% of the men and 89.3% of the women used YouTube as a medical educational resource. However, the sheer volume and unregulated nature of YouTube content make discerning quality challenging.…”