title: Application of case discussions to improve anatomy learning in Syria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Designing a new approach for learning gross anatomy to improve students' motivation to study anatomy and to enable them to learn independently through case discussion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included newly registered students in the first academic year. The total number of students was 165, who were divided by alphabetical order into 15 groups of 11 students. Each group was led by one faculty member and each faculty member lead 3 groups. Each group met twice a week for 2 weeks to discuss one case related to the upper limb anatomy. Students took pre- and posttests and completed an opinion questionnaire about the case discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pretest score shows that 20% of the students received grades of 60% or above and that 80% received grades less than 60%. The posttest showed that 45% of the students received grades of 60% or above and that 55% received grades less than 60%. There was a significant difference between the pre- and posttest for grades <60% (P = 0.0000) and less significant for grades >60% (P = 0.0023). In addition, 17% of students achieved the same results (less than 60%) in both the pre- and posttests. The questionnaire revealed that all students stated that the discussion method was useful in their learning process, helped them to increase their motivation to study anatomy (85%), know the usefulness of studying anatomy (84%), and understand the problems (91%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of the case discussion in teaching anatomy can increase the students' understanding and motivate them to learn.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Al Baath University, Hama, Syria.
authors: Mohammad Ayman
authors: MA
authors: Sabbagh
keywords: Anatomy learning; anatomy teaching; case discussion; medical students; problem-assisted learning; problem-based learning