Laparoscopic Surgery Recording as an Adjunct to Conventional Modalities of Teaching Gross Anatomy

Objectives: In order to increase their effectiveness, methods of teaching morphological sciences need to be revised to incorporate the recent technological advances made in the field of medicine. Teaching human structure with conventional methods of prosections using dissected cadaveric specimen alone quite often fails to prepare students adequately for their clinical training. A learner-oriented method, incorporating three dimensional spatial anatomy and more closely mirroring the clinical setting, is required. Methods: With these challenges in mind, a 30-minute slow-paced video recording of a cholecystectomy performed laproscopically on a 45 year-old lady was adapted to supplement the conventional teaching of anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis. This study was carried out in October 2010. Results: The subjects of this study were 84 students in a first year preclinical MD course in human structure at the private Oman Medical College. Their feedback was obtained via questionnaire and revealed that the video presentation helped the students to realise the significance of the anatomical details learnt during the human structure course. Conclusion: Recordings of laparoscopic surgeries are an effective preclinical anatomy teaching resource in student-centred learning. They also help the students to appreciate the clinical relevance of gross anatomy and enhance their motivation to learn.