The future of anatomy teaching post-pandemic: An academic viewpoint.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Bond AP; Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Human Anatomy Resource Centre, Education Directorate, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.; Kelsey A; Anatomy Hub, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.; Aitken G; Edinburgh Medical School-Medical Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Source
- Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101392205 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1935-9780 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19359772 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Anat Sci Educ Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to anatomical teaching worldwide with both lectures and practicals being moved online. Throughout this period anatomists were able to find new and innovative ways to teach and to aid student learning via a variety of delivery modes. This study aimed to interview anatomists who were involved in teaching undergraduate medical students at UK universities to document the changes that occurred and to understand academic perceptions of pandemic delivery to comprehend how anatomy education may change in the long term. Results suggest that academics are likely to continue to deliver anatomical lectures online post-pandemic akin to a flipped classroom approach, although caution was noted regarding 'at-risk' student groups. No academics wished to see continued delivery of practical classes online, however, resources designed or invested in during the pandemic will be integrated into practical classes or pre-class preparation allowing for a more complete student experience. No clear picture emerged as to the preferred way staff and students will communicate in the current post-pandemic hybrid working environment and beyond. This will likely only be resolved when a new pattern of home working evolves in UK institutions. This report is the first to detail the academic vision of anatomy teaching in a post-pandemic world and will be useful to those adapting to these changes and for those pedagogical researchers targeting where anatomical education research should focus moving forward.
(© 2023 The Authors. Anatomical Sciences Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)