Medical education in the anatomical sciences: the winds of change continue to blow

Anat Sci Educ. 2009 Nov-Dec;2(6):253-9. doi: 10.1002/ase.117.

Abstract

At most institutions, education in the anatomical sciences has undergone several changes over the last decade. To identify the changes that have occurred in gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, neuroscience/neuroanatomy, and embryology courses, directors of these courses were asked to respond to a survey with questions pertaining to total course hours, hours of lecture, and hours of laboratory, whether the course was part of an integrated program or existed as a stand-alone course, and what type of laboratory experience occurred in the course. These data were compared to data obtained from a similar survey in 2002. Comparison between the data sets suggests several key points some of which include: decreased total hours in gross anatomy and neuroscience/neuroanatomy courses, increased use of virtual microscopy in microscopic anatomy courses, and decreased laboratory hours in embryology courses.

MeSH terms

  • Anatomy / education*
  • Curriculum
  • Data Collection
  • Education, Medical / trends*
  • Embryology / education
  • Humans
  • Neuroanatomy / education*
  • Schools, Medical / trends