Document Type
Abstract
Publication Title
The FASEB Journal
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE
Covid-19 created immediate challenges to anatomy education. The traditional format of gross laboratory sessions experienced a direct impact and few reports documented curricular delivery changes specific to laboratory format. The purpose of this study was to assess the adaptations incorporated in gross anatomy laboratories by anatomists, during May-August 2020, in response to Covid-19.
MATERIALS/METHODS
Data were collected through the IRB-approved Virtual Anatomy During Covid-19 survey that consisted of 20 questions, including open-ended prompts asking participants to describe the structure of a “typical” laboratory session during Covid-19. Responses were solicited from professional anatomy associations during June 2020. Open-ended responses describing anatomy laboratory teaching methods used during Covid-19 were coded. Descriptive codes were applied to the data according to published methods to summarize verbatim responses. Responses were tabulated and converted to frequencies and percentages. Chi square test assessed differences among the responses when applicable. Alpha<5%.
RESULTS
Descriptions of gross anatomy lab teaching during Covid-19 were coded into four categories : (1) delivery format, (2) format of laboratory practice, (3) type of anatomy digital resources used, and (4) format of student teaching groups. In the first category, synchronous (46.7%), asynchronous (15.6%), and/or a combination of the two (18.8%) were the most frequent laboratory delivery formats (P
CONCLUSION
Anatomists largely taught through a remote, synchronous delivery format that relied on cadaveric specimens and digital anatomy resources, as well as small group learning.
SIGNIFICANCE/IMPLICATION:
This study shows that anatomists were able to adapt the gross anatomy laboratory sessions to synchronous, virtual mediums; however, the impact of these changes to the learner during this unconventional time remains to be determined.
DOI
10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.01781
Publication Date
5-14-2021
Keywords
COVID-19, gross anatomy education, integrated curriculum, laboratory, medical education, online anatomy, remote teaching, stand-alone courses, virtual anatomy
ISSN
1530-6860
Recommended Citation
Dennis JF, Attardi SM, Bentley DC, Brown KM, Farkas GJ, Goldman HM, Harmon DJ, Harrell KM, Klein BA, Ramnanan CJ, Barremkala M. Unmasking the Structure of Gross Anatomy Laboratory Sessions During Covid-19. The FASEB Journal. 2021; 35(S1). doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.01781.
