Digital Visualizer as an Aid-assisted Teaching in Anatomy

Abstract

Background: Innovative medical education technologies are used as alternate mode of teaching-learning of
anatomy to undergraduate students. As knowledge of anatomy helps students in their clinical area, effective
innovative teaching-learning tools need to be explored to build up their competency in anatomy.
Aim: To find the outcome of application of digital visualizer in systematic teaching-learning of anatomy to
undergraduate dental students.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken among first year dental students studying
at Penang International Dental College, Salem, India. 50 students were divided in two groups. The groups
were subjected to conventional and aid-assisted teaching using digital visualizer in a cross-over design on
separate topics with comparable level of difficulty. Both groups were assessed by pre and post-test followed
by feedback from them in reference to use of digital visualizer as aid in regular anatomy teaching-learning
process.
Results: Both the conventional and aid-assisted teaching showed significant changes in students pertaining
to gaining of subject knowledge and the mean post-test score was found to be higher with the use of digital
visualizer. The post-test scoring using digital visualize in both groups was higher in osteology teaching
(10.21±0.76 & 10.39±0.83) and cadaver specimen demonstration (8.76±0.44 & 8.80±0.41). In the feedback
analysis, majority of the students considered digital visualizer as an innovative aid for teaching-learning in
anatomy.
Conclusion: The use of medical educational technologies can assist as a comprehensive tool in regular
teaching learning sessions. The study will be further continued for first year medical students of our
institution.