Comparing Muscular System Coverage in Undergraduate Human Anatomy and A&P Courses at Community Colleges and Four‐year Universities

Abstract

Anatomical content coverage across undergraduate human anatomy and A&P courses is widely variable. A previous study by Saladin (2008) assessed muscle coverage (n~20) via self‐report in response to a listserv question. In response to the need for a more global understanding of the content taught in undergraduate anatomy courses, we prepared a muscular system survey where human Anatomy (or Anatomy & Physiology) faculty could report the extent to which they discuss skeletal muscles in these classes. The survey also collected demographic institutional data such as the type of institution (community college versus 4‐year), course format, and geographic location of the undergraduate institution, so comparisons could be made. The muscular system coverage survey was created and administered to participants online via Qualtrics. Muscles that were surveyed were those listed and described in a typical undergraduate human anatomy text (Human Anatomy, 5th edition textbook by McKinley, O’Loughlin, and Pennefather‐O’Brien (2017)). Participants were recruited via a poster presentation at HAPS 2018 and recruitment emails sent out through AAA, HAPS and AACA listservs. The survey has been examined and the study deemed exempt by Indiana University IRB ‐ Protocol # 1805378498. All data was de‐identified prior to analysis. Presented at EB 2019 were three posters detailing the general trends in muscle system coverage across all participating courses, comparisons between anatomy only and anatomy & physiology courses, and comparisons between international and U.S. courses. In response to questions posed at the posters last year, this analysis dives into comparisons of muscular system coverage trends between community college (n~90) and four‐year university (~130) Anatomy (and A&P) courses. In general, there are more similarities in content coverage than differences. Yet one difference found shows that across most regions (excluding muscles of respiration and abdominal wall), community college Anatomy and/or A&P courses use identification and action content coverage independently, whereas university courses assess all specifics (identification, action, attachment, and innervation. These similarities and differences in muscular system content coverage can expand the conversations on and increase collaborations between course instructors of Anatomy and A&P courses.