Lending a Helping Hand; Educational Value of a Hand‐Drawn Video Tutorial on Embryonic Underpinnings of Gross Anatomy

Abstract

This study investigates the educational value of incorporating a hand‐drawn embryology video tutorial in an integrated gross anatomy course within a medical curriculum. Due to complex spatial and temporal dimensionalities, embryology is a difficult subject for students to learn, especially in an integrated curriculum with limited contact hours. However, thoughtfully integrated embryology concepts can support students’ understanding of gross anatomy. Short video tutorials can be an effective ancillary learning resource that can ensure content mastery, especially when paired with other pedagogical tools such as drawing.A 10‐minute video tutorial on embryology of the innervation patterns of the skeletal muscle system was created, using a screen capture of hand‐drawn visual aids (Figure 1). In an IRB exempt study (#19‐1749), the first‐year medical students enrolled in an integrated anatomy course were instructed to view the tutorial, then take a quiz on the subject prior to the embryology lecture on the topic. Two days after the lecture, during an active learning session, students completed another quiz on the topic, as well as a survey assessing the perceived usefulness of the video. Significance of the quiz results was assessed using sigma‐restricted parameterization, whereas Tukey Honest Significant Difference and Chi‐Square tests were used to analyze the survey data.The first quiz average was 84% (n=180) and the second quiz score average, completed two days later, was significantly lower at 63.3% (n=166) ( p<0.0001; h2=0.22). Surprisingly, students performed significantly worse on easy (simple recall) versus more difficult (problem‐solving) questions on the second quiz ( p<0.000; h2=0.14). Survey analytics revealed that 89% (n=128) of the participants reported they would like to have more hand‐drawn video tutorials in the future to supplement their learning. 42% (n=60) of the students additionally commented that the real‐time drawing helped them follow along. 86% (n=123) of survey participants stated that learning embryology helped them identify innervation patterns in adult gross anatomy.The study suggests a potential value of the ancillary, hand‐drawn video tutorial on an embryology topic to enhance gross anatomy understanding, at least in the short term. While the significant knowledge decline in the second quiz is alarming, a number of confounds should be considered in its interpretation, such as different level of difficulty in the two quizzes, the quiz taking environments and the time‐allowed, which should be better controlled in the future study.Screenshots of parts of the hand‐drawn video tutorial that was created.Figure 1Screenshots of parts of the hand‐drawn video tutorial that was created.Figure 2