Historical Perspectives in the Pedagogy of Anatomy Instruction in Medical and Graduate Education: From Salerno to Montserrat

Abstract

Orien L Tulp*, George P Einstein, Frantz Sainvil, Hailin Wu and Rolando Branly

Because the including of human anatomy forms a core foundation for clinical medicine, it has contributed a pivotal role in medical education for many centuries. Thus, with advancements in the science of modern, current day medicine, its continued place in the medical school curriculum deserves careful attention. The recent pandemic has imposed additional stress and limitations on gross anatomy and other course modules. A seemingly ever-increasing emphasis on additional modules in molecular biology, emerging pharmacotherapeutics and pathophysiology content have resulted in a condensation and apparent erosion of previously allotted classroom and laboratory hours in the gross anatomy curriculum. To this end, technologic advancements including applications of virtual anatomy lecture and dissection elements, combined with small group dissections which emphasized relevant surgical and clinical applications with a surgical focus, pathophysiologic focal points, vascular and neural visualization techniques performed in fresh, non-embalmed cadavers. In addition, an imposition of financial constraints and a decreasing availability of sufficient cadaver donations to support gross anatomy dissection labs has also occurred in some locations. An innovative clinically focused cadaveric anatomy program is described which has improved the delivery and content retention of medical and graduate students and has become one of the most popular modules in the revised clinically oriented curriculum and has been deemed highly relevant to current medical education and graduate studies. The modifications to the anatomy curriculum have not only retained essential anatomic content but improved the overall interest in the importance of anatomy as an essential component of medical education, while improving the efficiency of delivery. The result was to enhance the overall level and effectiveness of instruction, while including a renewed focus on the clinical relevance of each system examined. As a result, the anatomy module transitioned to become one of the most sought-after components of the medical basic sciences portion of the medical curriculum.