2023 Volume 7 Article ID: 2022-053
Practical courses in anatomy and physiology typically include cadaveric dissections of animals to understand the structure and function of living organisms. Alternative educational methods in human anatomy were necessary because of ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and the limited practice conditions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using a combination of “virtual” dissection video clips and observations of dissected rats, students completed a sketching assignment on tablets. The virtual training scores were significantly higher than the task scores from conventional hands-on training prior to the pandemic. After completion of the course, a questionnaire was conducted to examine and improve educational outcomes. The results showed that many students made repeated use of the digital teaching materials and observational procedures. Their feedback indicated that the videos assisted in understanding the content, which led to satisfaction with this teaching method. This new approach met social demands regarding animal welfare and COVID-19 countermeasures. Improvements to the video content and subject materials by linking them with clinical subjects may also contribute to future training of excellent medical professionals and pharmacists.
