Evaluation of a surgical simulator for learning clinical anatomy
- 23 July 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Medical Education
- Vol. 38 (8), 896-902
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.01897.x
Abstract
Background New techniques in imaging and surgery have made 3‐dimensional anatomical knowledge an increasingly important goal of medical education. This study compared the efficacy of 2 supplemental, self‐study methods for learning shoulder joint anatomy to determine which method provides for greater transfer of learning to the clinical setting. Methods Two groups of medical students studied shoulder joint anatomy using either a second‐generation virtual reality surgical simulator or images from a textbook. They were then asked to identify anatomical structures of the shoulder joint as they appeared in a videotape of a live arthroscopic procedure. Results The mean identification scores, out of a possible score of 7, were 3.1 ± 1.3 for the simulator group and 2.9 ± 1.5 for the textbook group (P = 0.70). Student ratings of the 2 methods on a 5‐point Likert scale were significantly different. The simulator group rated the simulator more highly as an effective learning tool than the textbook group rated the textbook (means of 3.2 ± 0.7 and 2.6 ± 0.5, respectively, P = 0.02). Furthermore, the simulator group indicated that they were more likely to use the simulator as a learning tool if it were available to them than the textbook group was willing to use the textbook (means of 4.0 ± 1.2 and 3.0 ± 0.9, respectively, P = 0.02). Conclusion Our results show that this surgical simulator is at least as effective as textbook images for learning anatomy and could enhance student learning through increased motivation. These findings provide insight into simulator development and strategies for learning anatomy. Possible explanations and future research directions are discussed.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Initial evaluation of a shoulder arthroscopy simulator: establishing construct validityJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2004
- How medical students learn spatial anatomyThe Lancet, 2001
- The value of teaching sectional anatomy to improve CT scan interpretationClinical Anatomy, 2000
- Recovering the significance of 3-dimensional data in medical education and clinical practiceClinical Anatomy, 2000
- Adequacy of medical school gross anatomy education as perceived by certain postgraduate residency programs and anatomy course directorsClinical Anatomy, 1999
- The research we should be doingAcademic Medicine, 1994
- Transferable skills: A philosophical perspectiveStudies in Higher Education, 1993
- Rocky Roads to Transfer: Rethinking Mechanism of a Neglected PhenomenonEducational Psychologist, 1989
- Comparison of Textbook and Self-Instructional Learning MethodsPTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 1980