Does pre‐medical anatomy experience affect student performance in gross anatomy courses in medical school? (LB31)

Abstract

Gross Anatomy is one of the most challenging courses taught in medical school. We investigated the effect of taking an anatomy course prior to entering medical school on student performance in Gross Anatomy. Surveys administered to students covered the number, type, and level of anatomy courses taken prior to matriculation. Students were also asked to rate the perceived or potential benefit that such courses had or would have had. The responses were matched with each student’s semester, lecture, and lab grades from fall and spring semesters of Gross Anatomy. There was no significant difference in these grades between students with previous anatomy experience compared to those without. There was a statistically significant difference in all three grades between students who took anatomy lecture only and those who took courses with a lab. In the fall semester, the latter group’s grade was higher than the former’s by 4.2 % in lecture, 6.7 % in lab, and 5.7 % in semester. The perceived benefit of previous anatomy courses was rated as 6 out of 10 by students with previous anatomy experience and as 8 out of 10 by those without.Students felt that there was a benefit to taking anatomy courses prior to matriculation, but it did not affect their performance in the medical Gross Anatomy course. Pre‐medical anatomy courses with a lab component have a greater impact on student success in mastering anatomical concepts in medical school.