Virtual Dissection: an Educational Technology to Enrich Medical Students' Learning Environment in Gastrointestinal Anatomy Course

BackgroundVirtual dissection provides a digital experience of medical images to visualize anatomy on touchscreen tables. This study aimed to integrate the virtual dissection table (VDT) into the gastrointestinal anatomy course and assess medical students' intended learning outcomes and satisfaction with this educational technology.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study enrolled second-year undergraduate medical students who studied anatomical sciences in the autumn semester of 2021-2022 at a single medical school. In the intervention and control groups, the participants were randomized to study anatomy by VDT or topographical anatomy textbooks. The knowledge tests evaluated the students' learning outcomes of gastrointestinal anatomy, and following the course, students completed a satisfaction survey.ResultsThe findings indicated that a significant gain occurred, and instructional intervention during which the learning environment was enriched with virtual dissection could enhance the students' learning (F = 13.33, df = 2, P < 0.01, partial eta(2) = 0.20) and satisfaction (T = 6.10, df = 54, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.63, CI95% = 1.02-2.23).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potential for virtual dissection to augment anatomical science education. Further research is required to consider the contributing features and apply this educational technology to enhance students' anatomy learning.