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An investigation into medical students' approaches to anatomy learning in a systems-based prosection course

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 05:23 authored by Claire SmithClaire Smith, Haydn Mathias
Students' approaches to learning anatomy are driven by many factors and perceptions, e.g., the curriculum, assessment, previous educational experience, and the influence of staff and fellow students. However, there has been remarkably little research into characterizing how students approach their anatomy learning. What is known, based on a sample of 243 students, is that students studying medicine at the University of Southampton adopt primarily a “deep” approach to learning. Medical students at Southampton learn anatomy in a systems-based curriculum through prosections. Analysis of data from an Approaches to Study Inventory (ASSIST) revealed that students preferred using a deep approach over a strategic or surface approach (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). They also adopted an increasingly strategic approach as they moved through the medical curriculum. There was a relationship between anatomy examination results and approach to learning. Students who adopted a strategic approach performed better (R = 0.266, P < 0.001). It is argued that curriculum design, including the form of assessment, is the key to promote effective anatomy education and the goal of deep and meaningful learning in preparation for professional practice. Clin. Anat. 20:843–848, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Clinical Anatomy

ISSN

0897-3806

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

7

Volume

20

Page range

843-848

Department affiliated with

  • Division of Medical Education Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-03-03

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