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

An investigation into medical students' approaches to anatomy learning in a systems-based prosection course
An investigation into medical students' approaches to anatomy learning in a systems-based prosection course
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.
anatomical education, approaches to learning, assessment, medical curriculum
0897-3806
843-848
Smith, Claire France
b696bc5f-7e48-4506-82d8-82e51f258d4c
Mathias, Haydn
0a0bc55a-db3e-4df1-986a-62bc42ac4210
Smith, Claire France
b696bc5f-7e48-4506-82d8-82e51f258d4c
Mathias, Haydn
0a0bc55a-db3e-4df1-986a-62bc42ac4210

Smith, Claire France and Mathias, Haydn (2007) An investigation into medical students' approaches to anatomy learning in a systems-based prosection course. Clinical Anatomy, 20 (7), 843-848. (doi:10.1002/ca.20530). (PMID:17708560)

Record type: Article

Abstract

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.

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Published date: October 2007
Keywords: anatomical education, approaches to learning, assessment, medical curriculum

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Local EPrints ID: 66638
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/66638
ISSN: 0897-3806
PURE UUID: 0f26e813-9769-4176-8bd0-a343dcc05d0c

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Date deposited: 03 Jul 2009
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 18:26

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Author: Claire France Smith
Author: Haydn Mathias

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