ERIC Number: EJ1196259
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-9772
EISSN: N/A
Anatomy Integration: Effective Change or Change of Affect?
Hartley, Rebecca S.; Smith, Gary A.; Rosenberg, Martina J.
Anatomical Sciences Education, v11 n6 p535-546 Nov-Dec 2018
Anatomy is fundamental to clinical practice, is considered a rite of passage in becoming a physician and is key to professional identity formation. The anatomy course that began the medical curriculum at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine was recently dissolved to address content and process gaps in the pre-clinical curriculum. Anatomy was integrated into the organ system blocks to make room for new courses to address content gaps. Previous reports of anatomy integration document more positive attitudes and perceptions to teaching anatomy in context, as compared to an independent course. The current prospective study compared two medical student cohorts to determine the effects of teaching anatomy in and out of context on the cognitive and affective domains of learning. In a pre, post, and follow-up design, methods included content assessments, confidence probes, and attitude surveys informed by focus groups. Results indicated that anatomical knowledge and student confidence was gained and mastered in both curricula. Initial acquisition of content was higher in the integrated curriculum, but not maintained. Students in the integrated curriculum displayed a different relationship to learning anatomy, appearing more concerned with their personal progression than with the connection of anatomy to medical practice or patient care. These students also agreed less with statements related to working in teams, reflective practices and professional identity formation. Further studies will determine if this difference will diminish with continued exposure to anatomy and may inform future curricular adjustments.
Descriptors: Anatomy, Science Instruction, Educational Change, Medical Schools, Medical Students, Professional Identity, Positive Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Integrated Curriculum, Student Attitudes, Patients, Teamwork, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Mexico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A