Clinically Applied Anatomy

Abstract

Purpose Today, medical education emphasizes clinical applications of anatomic knowledge. In 2014, we instituted Clinically Applied Anatomy (CAA) within first-year Human Gross Anatomy at our university. The course was designed and overseen by academic plastic surgery. We hypothesized CAA would positively impact students' understanding, performance, and interest in human anatomy. Methods From 2014 to 2018, 13 CAA case-based didactics were integrated into the anatomy curriculum without changing the total anatomy-related student hours; each emphasized the clinical relevance of overlooked (or memorized) anatomic detail. Clinically Applied Anatomy instructors led associated clinical cadaver dissections. Upon course completion, students from each participating class were anonymously surveyed. Results One hundred sixty-four students completed the survey (75% response). Eighty-six percent reported CAA increased mastery of human anatomy, 77% stated CAA improved examination performance, 87% agreed CAA increased interest in anatomy itself, and 96% reported CAA increased their critical thinking of how understanding anatomy affects clinical care. Nearly half (49.4%) responded that CAA increased interest in applying for a procedurally oriented residency. When considering future integration of CAA into the medical school curriculum, 9% of students wanted less CAA, 61% wanted the same, and 30% wanted more. Conclusions Clinically Applied Anatomy significantly impacts medical students' anatomy education. Currently, 17 CAA faculty from 7 departments/divisions participate in all 26 of our school's anatomy sessions. As per our institution, we advocate this cost-effective and impactful initiative be led by academic plastic surgeons. These clinicians possess broad and specialized anatomic expertise as well as the leadership and interdisciplinary working relationships needed to enroll a multidisciplinary team of clinical educators.

A pilot study of robotic surgery case videos for first‐year medical student anatomy

“…This different perspective then may allow students to reinforce material learned in lecture in a clinically relevant way. This is important, as allowing medical students the opportunity to learn anatomy in a clinically relevant way has been shown to increase interest in anatomy, and increase critical thinking surrounding how anatomy impacts clinical care of patients 19 . Future studies should seek to further elucidate what about the surgical case videos is appealing to students and whether formally incorporating them to teach clinically relevant anatomy can improve academic performance.…”

Letter to the Editor: Comment on Sinha, et al. Clinically Applied Anatomy: An Impactful Initiative in the Evolution of Medical Education (Ann Plast Surg. 2020;84:476–480)

“…Regardless, anatomy has always been an essential part of medicine and is continually improved upon by medical teachers to optimize the learning experience. We commend the work of Sinha et al 1 in that the CAA experience has inspired nearly half of all students to apply for proceduralist careers, 3 which, in itself, would independently benefit these students' success in both anatomy performance and future endeavors. Although comparisons cannot be drawn directly against “traditional” teaching, it is clear that the majority enjoyed it, with 30% desiring even more CAA.…”

“…To the Editor: W e read with great interest the study by Sinha et al, 1 which explores the educational potential of implementing clinically applied anatomy (CAA) in the medical curriculum. By supplementing dissection and anatomy lectures with case-based teaching, the authors sought to improve both understanding and interest in anatomy.…”