A SUMMER ELECTIVE COURSE IN DISSECTION IN GROSS ANATOMY AS A METHOD OF INTEGRATING CLINICAL AND BASIC SCIENCE EDUCATION

Abstract

Following a curriculum revision, we have taught Gross Anatomy to medical students in a prosection‐based course. The opportunity for experience in cadaver dissection has been offered in a summer elective course (six weeks duration). The only course requirement is the complete dissection of one body region and grading is pass/fail. Review of didactic material is self‐paced and self‐directed. In addition, clinical faculty (Emergency medicine, Orthopedics, Surgery) have given lectures on the anatomical basis of procedures and surgical approaches. These lectures are accompanied by laboratory sessions in which 1) students perform procedures (ex. thoracotomies) or 2) physicians demonstrate surgical approaches on cadaver specimens. The response of students has been enthusiastic and approximately half the class has attended the course. Specimens generated in the dissection course have also been used as prosections in our main course in Gross Anatomy. This approach is advantageous in 1) it provides a review of material presented in a compressed format 2) it allows students to appreciate the three dimensionality of body structure and 3) it provides experiences requisite for subsequent clinical training. The summer dissection course, thus, provides a direct method of integrating clinical and basic science education.