Anatomical Society Of Southern Africa Research Articles

The ethical use of digital technology in teaching anatomy: A southern African perspective

BackgroundThe use of 21st Century technology in anatomy teaching and the recent crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has stimulated anatomists to ponder the ethics surrounding the utilisation of digital images from human bodies of known and unknown provenance in teaching. AimThis novel study explores the awareness of southern African anatomy educators regarding the provenance and ethical use of human material in digital resources for E-learning purposes. Materials and methodAnatomy educators (both members and non-members of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa including postgraduate students in anatomy) located in 15 health sciences facilities in southern Africa were asked to participate in the survey which consisted of an anonymous, cross-sectional, questionnaire conducted on an online research data system, REDCap. ResultsWhile 52% of respondents used E-learning resources sourced from their own departments for teaching, only 58% of these had knowledge of the provenance of the human material used. Of the 72% of respondents using images from external E-learning resources, 64% did not know the provenance of the human material in these resources. Some southern African anatomists considered anonymity as equivalent to informed consent. Regarding the acceptability of unclaimed bodies for online images, 37% of respondents were against the use of these bodies, while 20% indicated that it was acceptable. Personal internal moral conflict was acknowledged regarding the use of material from unclaimed bodies, particularly during crises such as the Coronavirus pandemic when digital resources were limited. Discussion and conclusionsFactors such as lack of awareness of provenance, the law in South Africa and using anonymity for consent, influence the ethical behaviour of southern African anatomists. Clear guiding principles would be of value for anatomists globally with respect to consent to the taking and distribution of images, and transparency on the source of the digital images provided in digital texts and online platforms. The establishment of both an oversight and ethics committee at institutions where digital imaging will be used is recommended.

Perceptions of South African academic instructors toward the teaching and learning of anatomy.

Reflecting on teaching is commonly cited as a fundamental practice for personal and professional development. Educational research into the scholarship of teaching and learning anatomy includes engaging in discipline specific literature on teaching, reflecting on individual teaching methods and communicating these findings to peers. The aim of this paper was to formally assess the opinions of senior anatomy instructors regarding the state of anatomical knowledge at their respective institutions. An open-ended questionnaire was devised consisting of eight direct questions seeking opinions on anatomy teaching, knowledge, potential educational developments and general thoughts on the teaching of anatomy to medical students. These were distributed to senior Anatomy Faculty (identified by the author by their affiliation with the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa) based at the eight national medical schools within the country. A number of key themes emerged. Most senior faculty felt that the standard of medical education at their respective institutions was "good." However, emphasis was also placed on the "quality of teaching" incorporating clinical scenarios. There were also indications that staff are split into those that are keen to do research and those that are happy to provide teaching to medical students as their primary function. Several challenges such as time constraints within the curricula, lack of cadavers to reinforce knowledge and lack of appropriately qualified staff were highlighted. Recommendations included fostering partnerships with both clinicians and medical scientists into the anatomy curriculum thus improving teaching and research.

A Selection of Abstracts Presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), May 8-11, 2016, Bloem Spa Hotel and Conference Centre, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.

In memory of Professor Willie Vorster who was a long-standing member of ASSA and served on the Council for many years. He was a devoted teacher of Anatomy and Embryology at various tertiary institutions in South Africa, and the founding member of the School of Medicine at the University of Namibia where he served as the first Professor in Anatomy.

A selection of abstracts presented at the 45th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 23-26 April 2017, Club Mykonos, Langebaan, Western Cape, South Africa.

Clinical AnatomyVolume 31, Issue 8 p. E25-E39 AACA or BACA Meeting Abstracts A selection of abstracts presented at the 45th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 23–26 April 2017, Club Mykonos, Langebaan, Western Cape, South Africa First published: 20 February 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23050 Conflict of interest: : There is no conflict of interest. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume31, Issue8November 2018Pages E25-E39 This article also appears in:Abstracts from Clinical Anatomy Conferences RelatedInformation

A selection of abstracts presented at the 43rd annual conference of the anatomical society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 9-13 May 2015, Khaya iBHUBESI Conference Venue, Parys, Free State, South Africa.

A selection of abstracts presented at the 43rd annual conference of the anatomical society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 9-13 May 2015, Khaya iBHUBESI Conference Venue, Parys, Free State, South Africa.

A selection of abstracts presented at the 42nd annual conference of the anatomical society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 13–16 April 2014, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

A selection of abstracts presented at the 42nd annual conference of the anatomical society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 13–16 April 2014, <scp>S</scp>tellenbosch <scp>I</scp>nstitute for <scp>A</scp>dvanced <scp>S</scp>tudies, <scp>S</scp>tellenbosch, <scp>W</scp>estern <scp>C</scp>ape, <scp>S</scp>outh <scp>A</scp>frica

A selection of abstracts presented at the 41st annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 20–24 April 2012, held at the University of Kwazulu‐Natal, Durban, Kwazulu‐Natal, South Africa

Clinical AnatomyVolume 26, Issue 7 p. 911-917 Abstracts A selection of abstracts presented at the 41st annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 20–24 April 2012, held at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Correction(s) for this article ABSTRACTS Volume 27Issue 2Clinical Anatomy pages: 261-261 First Published online: January 20, 2014 First published: 20 August 2013 https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22297Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume26, Issue7October 2013Pages 911-917 RelatedInformation

Phillip Vallentine Tobias (1925–2012)

Phillip Vallentine Tobias (1925–2012)

Phillip V. Tobias as an anatomist†

The article outlines the career of the renowned South African scientist Phillip Vallentine Tobias. While he made substantial contributions to a number of scientific disciplines, Tobias spent most of his career teaching anatomy at his alma mater, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and saw himself primarily as an anatomist. The first part of this article presents Tobias' major contributions to science and demonstrates that his profound knowledge of anatomy was the basis of many of his groundbreaking research accomplishments. The second part of the article focuses on Tobias' career in anatomy and his significant contribution to anatomy teaching and administration, particularly in establishing and organizing the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa. The article also demonstrates how Tobias' academic career was constrained by the oppressive system of apartheid South Africa and how social engagement was an integral part of his intellectual activities.

A selection of abstracts presented at the 40th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 14–18 April 2012, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

Clinical AnatomyVolume 25, Issue 7 p. 918-928 Abstracts A selection of abstracts presented at the 40th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 14–18 April 2012, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia First published: 29 August 2012 https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22155Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume25, Issue7October 2012Pages 918-928 RelatedInformation

Phillip Vallentine Tobias (1925–2012)

Phillip Vallentine Tobias (1925–2012)

A selection of abstracts presented at the 39th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 22-25 May 2011

Clinical AnatomyVolume 24, Issue 7 p. 924-935 Abstracts A selection of abstracts presented at the 39th annual conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 22–25 May 2011 First published: 26 August 2011 https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.21268Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume24, Issue7October 2011Pages 924-935 RelatedInformation

A selection of abstracts presented at the Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) held at Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa in April 2008

A selection of abstracts presented at the Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) held at Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa in April 2008

A selection of abstracts presented at the 37th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 22–25 April 2007, hosted by the University of Johannesburg at the Mount Grace Country House and SPA in Magaliesberg, RSA

A selection of abstracts presented at the 37th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), 22–25 April 2007, hosted by the University of Johannesburg at the Mount Grace Country House and SPA in Magaliesberg, RSA

Symposium on 'Adaptations of cells and tissues to mechanical stimuli' or 'Roux revisited' held during the Joint Meeting of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa and the Nederlandse Anatomen Vereniging, April 15-18 1998, Rolduc, The Netherlands

In 1895, well over 100 years ago, Willem Roux published his collected works on the developmental mechanics of organisms in 2 volumes. Volume 1 is largely dedicated to functional adaptation and is a condensation of his investigations into causes of the size and shape of organs and tissues, postulating the influence of functional demand, mediated by mechanical stimuli, on the shaping of organs and tissues. In this classic work he contributed to the understanding of the control of the structural development and organisation of blood vessels, muscles and bone. This work has been a source of inspiration for many investigators over the years. Well known examples are Wolff's law and Pauwel's theory on trajectories. Over the past 2 decades these hypotheses and concepts have been reappraised using 2 main approaches. Firstly, in muscles and tendons a qualitative approach with classical Newtonian mechanics combined with the anatomical configuration of these structures has been used to study the direction and the nature of the mechanical stresses in the tissues, be they compressive, tensile or shear. In bone and blood vessels these stresses are less accessible and often require computer modelling to calculate the mechanics at a cellular level. Secondly, molecular biology has demonstrated, both in tissue culture and in animal experiments, that mechanical stimuli can bring about cascades of messages in and between cells, but the experimental control of mechanical stresses in biological experiments is far from simple and limits the conclusions that can be derived. In order to approach a complete picture, the gap between these 2 approaches must be bridged. In this respect modern imaging techniques are helpful because they offer the possibility of studying the shape and change of shape over time in living organisms in greater detail.The Symposium was organised in such a way that for different tissues recent advances using different approaches could be presented, helping to identify future directions for this field of morphological research. Review articles based on 2 of the 6 contributions to the Symposium are published here. One has already appeared (Benjamin & Ralphs, J. Anat. 193, pp. 481-494).

Proceedings of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, the Nederlandse Anatomen Vereniging and the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa

A joint meeting of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, the Nederlandse Anatomen Vereniging and the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa was held from 15 to 17 April 1998 at Rolduc, Limburg, The Netherlands. It included symposia on 'Recent advances in human evolution research' on Wednesday 15 April and on 'Adaptation of cells and tissues to mechanical stimuli' on Thursday 16 April. The first EFEM Lecture was given by Professor J. Voogd of Erasmus University Rotterdam on 'Transformations and interactions of cerebellar maps' on Friday 17 April. The following are abstracts of communications and demonstrations presented at the meeting.