Virtual Dissection: an Educational Technology to Enrich Medical Students'Learning Environment in Gastrointestinal Anatomy Course.

Abstract

Virtual dissection provides a digital experience of medical images to visualize anatomy on touchscreen tables. This study aimed to integrate the virtual dissection table (VDT) into the gastrointestinal anatomy course and assess medical students' intended learning outcomes and satisfaction with this educational technology. This quasi-experimental study enrolled second-year undergraduate medical students who studied anatomical sciences in the autumn semester of 2021-2022 at a single medical school. In the intervention and control groups, the participants were randomized to study anatomy by VDT or topographical anatomy textbooks. The knowledge tests evaluated the students' learning outcomes of gastrointestinal anatomy, and following the course, students completed a satisfaction survey. The findings indicated that a significant gain occurred, and instructional intervention during which the learning environment was enriched with virtual dissection could enhance the students' learning (F = 13.33, df = 2, P < 0.01, partial η2 = 0.20) and satisfaction (T = 6.10, df = 54, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.63, CI95% = 1.02-2.23). This study demonstrates the potential for virtual dissection to augment anatomical science education. Further research is required to consider the contributing features and apply this educational technology to enhance students' anatomy learning. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-023-01867-z.