Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Contemporary Teaching Methods for Human Anatomy to Medical Undergraduates

This observational study was designed to investigate the understanding and experience of students with respect to reflection in advanced medical educational techniques employed.

The study was conducted on 200 medical undergraduate (MBBS programme) students at the end of one year prescribed course in anatomy. The instrument used was a questionnaire addressing the various instruction methods utilised in teaching, learning of human anatomy.

The percentage score for the highest grades (Grades IV and V combined) are as follows: Interactive Lectures – 80.5%; Dissection Hall – 72%; Demo on Models – 48.5%; Computer-assisted learning – 60%; Sectional Anatomy – 80%; and Textbooks – 45%. The methodology of choice was sectional anatomy followed by interactive lectures.

Educators constantly strive to identify effective, pupil oriented styles, strategies and approaches of teaching learning. The results of our study suggest that use of advances in technology with sectional anatomy, audiovisual aids, student seminars integrated in lectures (interactive) help in building up the three-dimensional concept of human body structure.