Students' learning experiences of three-dimensional printed models and plastinated specimens: a qualitative analysis

Efficacy of plastinated specimens in anatomy education: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Plastination, a permanent preservation method for human tissues and organs, is increasingly being used in anatomy education. However, there is a paucity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing the educational efficacy of plastinated specimens. This meta-analysis compared the assessment scores of students exposed to plastinated specimens against those exposed to other common instructional methods. A systematic search was conducted through four databases, from 2000 to July 2022. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved records were screened according to predetermined eligibility criteria. Of the 159 records screened, 18 were subjected to full-text review. Among the 18 studies, five articles reported post-intervention test scores for intervention (plastinated) and control (other modalities) groups. Studies were subjected to GRADE quality assessment, and four studies with moderate to high ratings were included for meta-analysis. Students' perceptions (n = 15 studies) were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive narrative analysis. No significant effect was detected between the intervention (n = 417) and control groups (n = 422) (standardized mean difference = 0.08; 95% CI [-0.36, 0.52]; p = 0.73). Four themes emerged from students' perceptions: ease of use, motivation to study, spatial understanding, and learning preference. Overall, student performance outcomes comparing the use of plastinated specimens versus other instructional modalities are very limited. This meta-analysis suggests that knowledge gained from plastinated specimens is comparable to learning achieved through other modalities; though this outcome should be interpreted with caution as there is currently insufficient evidence for definitive conclusions.

The impact of human cadaveric dissection on professional identity formation in medical students

BACKGROUND

As technology advances, some schools are moving away from human cadaveric dissection to teach anatomy, leading to concern regarding the possible loss of a professional identity building experience. This study explored the role of dissection in students' professional identity formation.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study was conducted using survey methodology and semi-structured interviews of medical students at an American-style graduate-entry medical school in Singapore. The questionnaire adopted the conceptual framework of the Ring Theory of Personhood and the MacLeod-Clark Professional Identity Scale was used to measure professional identity, followed by semi-structured interviews of students using Braun and Clarke's six-phase reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Respondents did not differ substantively from non-respondents by age, nationality, or ethnicity, and year of entering medical school, however, they were slightly more female dominant. The number of hours of hands-on participation in dissection showed no significant relationship (r2 = 0.010; p = 0.424) with professional identity formation measured by the MacLeod-Clark Professional Identity Scale. Despite the survey results, semi-structured interviews revealed rich and nuanced findings suggesting the influence of dissection in participants' professional identity formation through deepening students' appreciation of humanistic values and enhancing their notions of patients' personhood. Notably, students without dissection experience did not express these sentiments and were orientated towards knowledge acquisition.

CONCLUSION

While our findings do not suggest that dissection strongly impacts students' professional identity formation, students shared thought-provoking experiences which suggest some level of its contribution. Careful consideration of this phenomenon should be exercised prior to removing dissection in favour of technological alternatives.