Bodies Do Matter: Rethinking Anatomical Pedagogy, from the Scalpel to the Mouse: a Review

Address for Correspondence: Dr.(Mrs) Subhra Mandal, MD (Anatomy), Associate Professor, Medical College Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Contact No.: +919477458100 E-Mail: [email protected] Anatomy and dissection have long been considered a cornerstone in medical education, irrespective of nation, racial background or medical school. By learning gross anatomy, medical students get a first “impression” about the structure of human body which is the basis for understanding pathologic and clinical problems. Anatomy teaching methodology has been revolutionized in the 2Ist century, due to time constraints, less availability of cadavers, stress on computer aided learning, scarcity of qualified teachers, changes in the demands of medical profession and neglect of vertical integration of anatomy teaching. Until recently, dissection and didactic lectures were its sole pedagogy, worldwide. But over the last few decades, traditional anatomy teaching based on topographical structural anatomy taught in lectures and gross dissection classes has been replaced by a vivid range of study modules like problem based learning(PBL) and computer assisted learning(CAL),and curricula integration. Though the anatomy curriculum is undergoing international reformation but it lacks uniformity among institutions. The available modern international literature, describing various methodologies for teaching/learning anatomy conclude that Anatomists are constantly debating over the following questions-How much to teach, when to teach and how to teach gross anatomy. We endeavor to answer these questions and contribute to the debate on the ideal methodology for teaching /learning anatomy. Alternative strategies and resources are also discussed so that we can re establish more effective teaching /learning tools while maintaining the beneficial values of orthodox dissection .If we are not concentrating on optimum anatomy education, it will inevitably lead to incompetent anatomists and healthcare professionals, leaving patients to face unwanted consequences of medical error.