A New Human Anatomy Teaching Mode Combining Virtual Anatomy System and Dissection to Promote Active Learning and Improve Learning Efficiency.

Abstract Background: Education of human anatomy has always experienced many difficulties, including the lack of anatomical specimens and limitations imposed by anatomical dissection techniques that damage and change the shape and position of the anatomical structures. Methods: A digital virtual anatomy system may be the solution to these difficulties. Based on high-resolution sectional anatomical images from the Chinese Visible Human dataset, a virtual anatomy system was created. In total, 170 undergraduate students from the Third Military Medical University were divided into two groups, namely the combining virtual anatomy (CVA) group and the traditional anatomy (TA) group. The CVA group was taught using both the virtual anatomy system and the traditional anatomy course, while the TA group was taught using only the traditional course. After completing the course, the teaching outcomes were assessed by written and practical examinations, and the satisfaction levels of the students and teachers were also assessed with questionnaires.Results: The examination scores and questionnaires showed that the CVA anatomy course provided a comfortable studying environment for medical students and greatly improved their self-learning ability, active thinking ability, 3D spatial thinking ability and interest in learning. Conclusions: The teaching mode adding the virtual anatomy course with the traditional anatomy course is a new and effective way to advance the teaching of human anatomy, which is better than traditional dissection.