title: The role of three-dimensional printed models of skull in anatomy education: a randomized controlled trail.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printed models represent educational tools of high quality compared with traditional teaching aids. Colored skull models were produced by 3D printing technology. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to compare the learning efficiency of 3D printed skulls with that of cadaveric skulls and atlas. Seventy-nine medical students, who never studied anatomy, were randomized into three groups by drawing lots, using 3D printed skulls, cadaveric skulls, and atlas, respectively, to study the anatomical structures in skull through an introductory lecture and small group discussions. All students completed identical tests, which composed of a theory test and a lab test, before and after a lecture. Pre-test scores showed no differences between the three groups. In post-test, the 3D group was better than the other two groups in total score (cadaver: 29.5 [IQR: 25-33], 3D: 31.5 [IQR: 29-36], atlas: 27.75 [IQR: 24.125-32]; p = 0.044) and scores of lab test (cadaver: 14 [IQR: 10.5-18], 3D: 16.5 [IQR: 14.375-21.625], atlas: 14.5 [IQR: 10-18.125]; p = 0.049). Scores involving theory test, however, showed no difference between the three groups. In this RCT, an inexpensive, precise and rapidly-produced skull model had advantages in assisting anatomy study, especially in structure recognition, compared with traditional education materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100730, China.|National Virtual Simulation Laboratory Education Center of Medical Sciences, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Eight-year Program of Clinical Medicine, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Zhouxian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Eight-year Program of Clinical Medicine, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Eight-year Program of Clinical Medicine, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Zhaoqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Eight-year Program of Clinical Medicine, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Eight-year Program of Clinical Medicine, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Ze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Huijuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neurosurgery, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: College of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
authors.forename: Wuyang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shui
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASIA), Beijing, 100190, China.|Cloud Computing Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dongguan, 523808, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Education, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100730, China. panhui20111111@163.com.|National Virtual Simulation Laboratory Education Center of Medical Sciences, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China. panhui20111111@163.com.|Dept. of Education, PUMCH, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100730, China. panhui20111111@163.com.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000076227:Stereolithography; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult