Use of clinical and surgical videos to support teaching in the subject of human anatomy

Introduction

Innovation in medical teaching in recent years has undergone major changes. Traditionally, the teacher used to rely exclusively on words, the blackboard, and anatomical dissection. Nowadays, classes are supported by numerous tools with the help of the computer.

Methods

In the Department of Human Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine of our University, during the first 4-month period of the course, we introduced in the classes the projection of 13 short videos with an average duration of 2.33 min, from laparoscopic and open surgical interventions, endoscopic and radiological studies. We surveyed at the end of the first 4 months period to evaluate the student´s opinions of the videos shown.

Results

Regarding the usefulness of the video projection, 82.8% considered the projection very useful and 17.2% considered them somewhat useful. None of the students considered the projection of the videos to be useless for their learning. As for the duration of the videos, 97.3% considered the duration to be adequate. In the survey, the students freely expressed diverse opinions. Among others, they stated that they help to understand the real anatomy of the structures studied in 3 dimensions and that they help to review and consolidate theoretical knowledge of what has already been explained. They also said that they help with motivation in preclinical subjects. Others felt that the videos help to raise awareness of the practical usefulness of the subject in the context of the practice of medicine.

Conclusion

We can assure that the projection of short prepared videos, taking sequences of open or laparoscopic surgical interventions and endoscopic or radiological studies, is very useful for improving the understanding of the subject of human anatomy, helping to clarify concepts and consolidating knowledge and increasing the student's motivation, as well as the performance in the study.