Medical gross anatomy laboratory tours have a positive impact on participant interest in the health care professions

Abstract

To encourage HS and allied health students in West Virginia who have an interest in the health care professions, WVSOM has a laboratory tour program for students enrolled in human anatomy courses at the HS or undergraduate level. Each tour begins with a presentation covering proper laboratory etiquette, the role of the Human Gift Registry, and scientific aspects of cadaver embalming and plastination. Participants are then given a tour of the lab and demonstrations of human anatomy emphasizing clinical applications using cadaveric specimens, radiographs, and/or plastinated specimens. To assess the value of the tours, we ask all participants to complete pre and post tour questionnaires. In the spring of 2009, 255 tour participants returned questionnaires; a response rate of 90.4%. 82% of participants indicated a strong or very strong interest in pursuing a career within the field of health care, and 27% said attending the tour changed their opinion about the health care professions. Of those whose interest changed, 78% indicated they were more interested in a health related career as a result of the tour. We conclude that our anatomy tour program positively influences the interest of participants in the health care professions.Grant Funding Source: NA