Is dissection the only way to learn anatomy? Thoughts from students at a non-dissecting based medical school.
Anatomical teaching has been centred around dissection for centuries. Generations of doctors have been initiated into the medical profession by cutting into their first cadavers. With the number of donor cadavers available decreasing and medical student numbers increasing, the emphasis placed on dissection has changed dramatically over the past 15 years. However, a solid appreciation of human anatomy is still a necessary part of understanding pathology and treatments. Therefore in light of these changes we ask, is dissection the only option? Or are there other options which students can undertake to develop anatomical knowledge?
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2 5WD, Exeter, UK. salil.patel@students.pcmd.ac.uk.
Salil B
SB
Patel
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2 5WD, Exeter, UK.
Daniel
D
Mauro
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2 5WD, Exeter, UK.
James
J
Fenn
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2 5WD, Exeter, UK.
Dermot R
DR
Sharkey
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2 5WD, Exeter, UK.
Conor
C
Jones
Anatomy; Dissection; Online Learning; Undergraduate education