Connecting with different audiences: The anatomy of communication is essential

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, communication has become truly global. Advances in technology have opened up a host of ways in which we are able to communicate to retrieve or pass on information and knowledge. In many cases we have moved from a place-based communication approach to one of increasing mobility. With this shift in approach, it is apparent that effective communication skills are perhaps even more important so that we can connect appropriately with diverse audiences. Despite this, relatively little attention has been paid to training our students in different modes of communication and therefore we may not be fully preparing our students to play their part in the global community. Given anatomy's place within many health-care curricula, an ideal avenue is available for anatomists to take the lead in providing communications skills training for students. There are a variety of approaches, some of which are outlined in this article, which can be used to create appropriate opportunities for developing different communication skills and these can be woven into existing practices to ensure courses do not become overburdened. A sustained approach to communication skills training will help equip our students to communicate easily with the many aspects of modern society.

Who is the Teacher and Who is the Student? The Dual Service- and Engaged-Learning Pedagogical Model of Anatomy Academy

“…Using university-level students as volunteer teachers provides a larger paraprofessional resource for schools while simultaneously enhancing the communication and teaching skills of the volunteers. 27 In addition, the students receiving the service are benefited by lower student to teacher ratios and the opportunity to connect with someone who can serve as a young adult role model. This opportunity is what Anatomy Academy sought to capitalize on to enhance the learning experience of both the university mentors and the elementary students.…”

The use of educational comics in learning anatomy among multiple student groups

“…Beyond these considerations, however, a basic knowledge of human anatomy is also beneficial to many others who never plan to enroll in an anatomy course. By learning essential human anatomy, these members of the lay public may not only satisfy their latent curiosity about the human body (Weigold, 2001), but as patients they may additionally benefit from improved communication with physicians and health care staff, which may also result in higher compliance (Arksey, 1994;Evans, 2007Evans, , 2013. Indeed, public health is closely related to medical literacy and knowledge of fundamental medical information (Williams et al, 1998;Williams, 2012).…”

Homepage to distribute the anatomy learning contents including Visible Korean products, comics, and books

“…Laypeople's usage is meaningful because understanding anatomy not only satisfies their curiosity but also helps them protect body health. For instance, after people acquire anatomy knowledge, they will better understand their physicians' explanations [ 23 24 ]. The authors have exhibited some of the anatomy comic strips in a science museum to get good response [ 25 ].…”