Abstract:
BACKGROUND : The establishment of new anatomy facilities needs to accommodate a combination of modern
teaching modalities that best align with evidence-based best teaching practices. This article describes the process in
which our state-of-the-art anatomy laboratories were designed and implemented, and how these facilities support
aspects of modern anatomy education.
METHODS : A list of best practices for anatomy education in a modern medical curriculum was summarized from the
literature. To assess student satisfaction, a survey related to student perception of the anatomy facilities (5-point Likert
scale) was conducted.
RESULTS : Our educational modalities include a broad range of teaching approaches. The Instructional Studio houses
prosected and plastinated specimens, and cadaveric dissections are performed. Each of our three Dry Laboratories
allow for active learning and interaction between small student groups. The Webinar Room acts as a conference
room for departmental and online meetings, discussions with students, and dialogues with affiliated hospitals via the
internet. The Imaging Center is equipped with a Sectra® medical educational platform, CAE Vimedix® Virtual Medical
Imaging Ultrasound Training System, and Philipps Lumify® Ultrasound devices to train students to conduct and
interpret sonographic images. Moreover, the Complete Anatomy® program is made available to all our students.
CONCLUSION : The layout of our newly created Anatomy Facilities allows for all aspects of modern medical education
mentioned in the literature. These educational modalities and teaching approaches are highly appreciated by our
faculty and students. Moreover, these technologies allowed for a smooth transition from on-site anatomy teaching to
online education during the COVID pandemic.
