A comparative study of effectiveness of cadaver dissection versus computer assisted dissection

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of computer assisted virtual dissection with that of actual dissection as analyzed through students’ achievements and attitudes. MethodsWe conducted a prospective inferential study with fifty 1st year medical students who undertook dissection classes through computer – assisted dissection, actual dissection on cadavers and combination of both in three different sessions. The students’ scores in the assessment tests after undergoing these dissection schedules were analyzed using paired t-tests. Students’ attitudes regarding these two methodologies were assessed by a set of questionnaire. ResultsStudents who participated in the actual cadaver dissection, supplemented by computer assisted virtual dissection scored significantly higher (p=0.004) as compared to any of dissection methods used alone on post-dissection assessment tests. The proportion of students achieving more than 50% marks was also significantly higher with the combination method. Analysis of the survey questionnaire indicated differences in attitudes of students for actual dissection and computer-simulated virtual dissection. Vast majority of students (97.6%, n = 48) stated that computer assisted dissection cannot replace the actual dissection of cadavers, but were in the favor of incorporating the computer assisted virtual dissection as an integral part of teaching of human anatomy as a complementary tool to the actual dissection.