ABSTRACT
Objective
to evaluate the effectiveness of the 3D virtual anatomical table as a complementary resource to the learning of the hepatobiliary anatomy by undergraduate medical students.
Method
A randomized controlled study comparing the anatomical learning of hepatobiliary structures, supported by a real model versus a virtual model, both three-dimensional (3D), by undergraduate medical students. The students’ perception of the resources used to teach anatomy was also evaluated. The students were submitted to a pre-test and to two evaluations after the interventions were applied.
Results
Overall, both the 3D virtual anatomical table and the real liver increased students’ knowledge of the hepatobiliary anatomy in relation to their previous knowledge (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively for second and third evaluations). In the longitudinal comparison between the pre-test and the second evaluation (hepatobiliary anatomy and Couinaud’s segmentation), this increase was significantly higher in the group allocated to the real liver (p = 0.002); in the comparison of the pre-test with the third evaluation (inclusion of adjacent organs in the anatomical table or in the real liver), the increase in knowledge was significantly higher in the group allocated to the anatomical table (p = 0.04). The perception of participants’ satisfaction regarding the learning resources was considered very good, with a minimum percentage of satisfaction of 80%.
Conclusion
the 3D virtual anatomical table provided more hepatobiliary anatomy knowledge than a real liver for undergraduate medical students, in comparison to their previous knowledge about these structures. In the cross-sectional comparison of the post-instruction evaluations, there was no difference between the two interventions. Moreover, the 3D platform had a positive impact on the level of satisfaction of study participants. This study shows that the 3D virtual anatomical table has the potential to improve both medical students’ understanding and interest in anatomy. It is recommended, however, that future protocols such as this be carried out with larger samples and exploring other anatomical structures.
Anatomy; 3D image; Medical education; Learning transfer; Health information technology
RESUMO
Objetivo
Avaliar a eficácia da mesa anatômica virtual 3D como recurso complementar ao aprendizado da anatomia hepatobiliar por estudantes de graduação em Medicina.
Metodologia
Trata-se de estudo randomizado e controlado que comparou a aprendizagem anatômica de estruturas hepatobiliares, apoiada por um modelo real versus por um modelo virtual, ambos tridimensionais (3D), por parte de estudantes de medicina. Avaliou-se também a percepção dos estudantes quanto aos recursos utilizados para o ensino da anatomia. Os alunos foram submetidos a um pré-teste e a duas avaliações após a aplicação das intervenções.
Resultados
Globalmente, tanto a mesa anatômica virtual 3D quanto o fígado real aumentaram o conhecimento dos estudantes sobre a anatomia hepatobiliar em relação ao conhecimento prévio deles (p = 0,001 e p = 0,01, respectivamente para a segunda e terceira avaliação). Na comparação longitudinal entre o pré-teste e a segunda avaliação (anatomia hepatobiliar e segmentação de Couinaud), esse aumento foi significantemente maior no grupo alocado para o fígado real (p = 0,002); já na comparação do pré-teste com a terceira avaliação (inclusão de órgãos anexos na mesa anatômica ou no fígado real), o aumento do conhecimento foi significantemente maior no grupo alocado para a mesa anatômica (p = 0,04). A percepção de satisfação dos participantes quanto aos recursos de aprendizagem foi considerada muito boa, com percentual mínimo de satisfação de 80%.
Conclusão
A mesa anatômica virtual 3D forneceu mais conhecimento de anatomia hepatobiliar que um fígado real para estudantes de medicina, em relação ao conhecimento prévio deles sobre essas estruturas. Na comparação transversal das avaliações pós-instrução, não houve diferença entre as duas intervenções. Além disso, a plataforma 3D teve um impacto positivo no nível de satisfação dos participantes do estudo. Este estudo mostra que a mesa anatômica virtual 3D tem potencial para melhorar tanto a compreensão quanto o interesse dos estudantes de medicina pela anatomia. Recomenda-se, no entanto, que futuros protocolos como este sejam realizados com amostras maiores e explorando outras estruturas anatômicas.
Anatomia; Imagem 3D; Educação médica; Transferência de aprendizagem; Tecnologia de informação em saúde
INTRODUCTION
Medicine has domains that require complex learning. 11 Anatomage . Anatomage Table Brochure . Disponível, em: http://www. anatomage.com/images/medical/Video_TN/AnatomageTableBrochure.pdf . Acessado, em: 15/06/2015 .
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The complexity of learning involves the understanding of intricate physiological systems, which can subsidize the development of adaptive expertise and the acquisition of technical skills necessary for good clinical practice, such as performing a physical examination, interpreting imaging examinations, and performing clinical and / or surgical reasoning. 11 Anatomage . Anatomage Table Brochure . Disponível, em: http://www. anatomage.com/images/medical/Video_TN/AnatomageTableBrochure.pdf . Acessado, em: 15/06/2015 .
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, 22 Azer SA , Eizenberg N . Do we need dissection in an integrated problem-based learning medical course? Perceptions of First and second-year students . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2007 ; 29 : 173 - 180 . Anatomy is at the core of some of these domains of knowledge and processes of clinical-surgical rationality, and this should not be discussed. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . Over the past 400 years, anatomy has been one of the world’s leading health learning tools, traditionally taught through conventional lectures, textbooks, picture atlases, and cadaveric dissections. 44 Collins JP . Modern approaches to teaching and learning anatomy . Bmj 2008 ; 337 : a1310 . , 55 Costa GBF , Lins CCSA . O cadáver no ensino da anatomia humana: uma visão metodológica e bioética . Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica 2012 ; 36 ( 3 ): 369 - 73
Despite this scope, even nowadays, there are important educational problems related to the teaching of anatomy: 44 Collins JP . Modern approaches to teaching and learning anatomy . Bmj 2008 ; 337 : a1310 . , 55 Costa GBF , Lins CCSA . O cadáver no ensino da anatomia humana: uma visão metodológica e bioética . Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica 2012 ; 36 ( 3 ): 369 - 73 1) Restriction of the acquisition of corpses by educational institutions, mainly because of budgetary, ethical, cultural, and social reasons, or even due to their unavailability; 44 Collins JP . Modern approaches to teaching and learning anatomy . Bmj 2008 ; 337 : a1310 . , 55 Costa GBF , Lins CCSA . O cadáver no ensino da anatomia humana: uma visão metodológica e bioética . Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica 2012 ; 36 ( 3 ): 369 - 73 2) Significant shortage of qualified professionals for the dissection method; 3) Risk of acquiring serious diseases due to the use of chemicals (e.g., formaldehyde); 4) Great logistical and financial burden regarding the storage conditions of corpses; 66 Fredieu JR , Kerbo J , Herron M , Klatte R , Cooke M . Anatomical Models: a Digital Revolution . Medical Science Educator 2015 ; 25 : 183 - 94 . and 5) The profound curriculum reformulation that many medical schools around the world have experienced, essentially characterized by the introduction of active learning methodologies. 22 Azer SA , Eizenberg N . Do we need dissection in an integrated problem-based learning medical course? Perceptions of First and second-year students . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2007 ; 29 : 173 - 180 .
All these reasons led to the need to rethink the teaching of anatomy. 22 Azer SA , Eizenberg N . Do we need dissection in an integrated problem-based learning medical course? Perceptions of First and second-year students . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2007 ; 29 : 173 - 180 . Additionally, they have allowed the adoption of a wide range of learning resources, especially technological ones. 22 Azer SA , Eizenberg N . Do we need dissection in an integrated problem-based learning medical course? Perceptions of First and second-year students . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2007 ; 29 : 173 - 180 . These measures have resulted in the proposal of a series of complementary innovative approaches to the teaching of anatomy, including: computational software; problem situations that simulate real clinical cases; simulator models; plastic models; and three-dimensional (3D) models. 77 Hariri S , Rawn C , Srivastava S , Youngblood P , Ladd A . Evaluation of a surgical simulator for learning clinical anatomy . Med Educ 2004 ; 38 : 896 - 902 .
3D anatomical models have a close relationship with the essentially visual field 11 Anatomage . Anatomage Table Brochure . Disponível, em: http://www. anatomage.com/images/medical/Video_TN/AnatomageTableBrochure.pdf . Acessado, em: 15/06/2015 .
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, 88 Hegarty M , Keehner M , Cohen C , Montello Y , Lippa Y . 2007 . The role of spatial cognition in medicine: Applications for selecting and training Professionals . In: Allen GL ( Editor ) . Applied Spatial Cognition from Research to Cognitive Technology . 1st Ed. Mahwah, NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates . p 285 - 315 . and this visual-spatial nature of learning is justified by the presence of two factors: stereopsis (perception of depth when something is viewed with both eyes) and dynamic exploration. 22 Azer SA , Eizenberg N . Do we need dissection in an integrated problem-based learning medical course? Perceptions of First and second-year students . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 2007 ; 29 : 173 - 180 . , 99 Hu A , Wilson T , Ladak H , Haase P , Fung K . Three-dimensional Educational Computer Model of the Larynx. Voicing a New Direction . Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 2009 ; 135 ( 7 ): 677 - 81 . , 1010 Jurgaitis J , Paškonis M , Pivoriūnas J , Martinaitytė I , Juška A , Jurgaitienė R , et al . The comparison of 2-dimensional with 3-dimensional hepatic visualization in the clinical hepatic anatomy education . Medicina ( Kaunas ) 2008 ; 44 ( 6 ). When properly applied, these principles can improve understanding of the spatial relationship, characteristic of anatomical structures, especially the most complex ones. 55 Costa GBF , Lins CCSA . O cadáver no ensino da anatomia humana: uma visão metodológica e bioética . Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica 2012 ; 36 ( 3 ): 369 - 73 Therefore, 3D resources can favor the understanding of anatomical structures from their global perspective, as well as contribute to a better assimilation of knowledge already acquired in classes and from atlases. 11 Anatomage . Anatomage Table Brochure . Disponível, em: http://www. anatomage.com/images/medical/Video_TN/AnatomageTableBrochure.pdf . Acessado, em: 15/06/2015 .
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Nicholson et al. found that medical students who studied the inner ear using a tutorial accompanied by a 3D anatomical model scored 18 points higher than students who studied by the tutorial alone. 99 Hu A , Wilson T , Ladak H , Haase P , Fung K . Three-dimensional Educational Computer Model of the Larynx. Voicing a New Direction . Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 2009 ; 135 ( 7 ): 677 - 81 .
Several 3D systems have been developed for the teaching of anatomy. One of the most advanced anatomy visualization systems is the 3D anatomical table. It is a digital visualization platform that has real-size male and female virtual corpses. This characteristic has provided the inclusion of a powerful image editing tool, with features derived from a software approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for surgical planning. 1111 Kamiyama T , Nakagawa T , Nakanishi K , Kamachi H , Onodera Y , Matsushita M , et al . Preoperative evaluation of hepatic vasculature by three-dimensional computed tomography in patients undergoing hepatectomy . World Journal of Surgery 2006 ; 30 ( 3 ): 400 - 9 . This tool merges customizable 3D models derived from real patient images, which enables full-size simulations. 1111 Kamiyama T , Nakagawa T , Nakanishi K , Kamachi H , Onodera Y , Matsushita M , et al . Preoperative evaluation of hepatic vasculature by three-dimensional computed tomography in patients undergoing hepatectomy . World Journal of Surgery 2006 ; 30 ( 3 ): 400 - 9 .
From an academic point of view, the anatomical table can be useful as a complementary resource for cadaveric studies. Once the axial sections are properly recorded and segmented in traditional dissection, they are used on the table to create final images of any anatomical system or structure on all three axes of the body. 1212 Kamphuis C , Barsom E , Schijven M , Christoph N . Augmented reality in medical education? Perspectives on Medical Education 2014 ; 3 : 300 - 11 . The possibility of functioning as an imaging workstation is a particularly relevant characteristic of this resource, especially when one wants to study anatomy applied to a pathological example or simply to analyze exams. 1111 Kamiyama T , Nakagawa T , Nakanishi K , Kamachi H , Onodera Y , Matsushita M , et al . Preoperative evaluation of hepatic vasculature by three-dimensional computed tomography in patients undergoing hepatectomy . World Journal of Surgery 2006 ; 30 ( 3 ): 400 - 9 . For instance, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver can be viewed interactively in 3D. 1111 Kamiyama T , Nakagawa T , Nakanishi K , Kamachi H , Onodera Y , Matsushita M , et al . Preoperative evaluation of hepatic vasculature by three-dimensional computed tomography in patients undergoing hepatectomy . World Journal of Surgery 2006 ; 30 ( 3 ): 400 - 9 .
Complex structures, such as the liver and gallbladder, can be well displayed by the table. 3D visualization of the liver facilitates the visibility of its contents and allows the use of visual perception methods such as immersion, navigation, and interaction. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . The liver is one of the major organs vulnerable to tumors, and greater knowledge about its 3D image can improve the physician’s expertise in clinical situations. For instance, liver damage close to crucial structures could be more easily assessed through 3D imaging, especially by students. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . , 1212 Kamphuis C , Barsom E , Schijven M , Christoph N . Augmented reality in medical education? Perspectives on Medical Education 2014 ; 3 : 300 - 11 . Moreover, in eventual surgical cases, 3D liver imaging evaluations could lead to more accurate resections, without concomitant removal of healthy liver tissue and impairment of adjacent structures. 1212 Kamphuis C , Barsom E , Schijven M , Christoph N . Augmented reality in medical education? Perspectives on Medical Education 2014 ; 3 : 300 - 11 .
Although CT and MRI sections provide data on the lesion, sometimes their precise location in relation to large blood vessels is not evidently satisfactory (e.g., the hepatic portal vein or biliary tract). 1313 Keedy AW , Durack JC , Sandhu P , Chen EM , O’Sullivan PS , Breiman RS . Comparison of Traditional Methods with 3D Computer Models in the Instruction of Hepatobiliary Anatomy . Anat sci educ 2011 ; 4 : 84 - 91 . Not only that, these images can be difficult to understand and interpret for an inexperienced team and, especially for medical students. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . The combination of these factors led us to believe that the traditional method of teaching hepatobiliary anatomy in medical schools might not be sufficient to guarantee the necessary skills for good clinical practice. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate whether the 3D anatomical table is an effective resource to support the teaching of applied hepatobiliary anatomy to undergraduate medical students.
METHODS
This study was approved by the PUC-Rio Internal Ethics Committee (n. 2015-55) and also by the UNIFESO Research Ethics Committee (REC) (CAAE: 54519415.0.0000.5247). The Free and Informed Consent Form (ICF) was obtained from all participants prior to study enrollment. There were no conflicts of interest related to this research.
For this study, volunteer undergraduate students from the 4 th year of medical school were recruited exclusively. Students from other periods of medical school, as well as students from other undergraduate courses at participating institutions, were not included. Among the participants, those who failed to perform any research steps were excluded. The research protocol was fully applied at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), which owns the 3D anatomical table. The medical students came from Serra dos Órgãos University Center (UNIFESO), located in the municipality of Teresópolis (RJ); and from Universidade do Grande Rio (UNIGRANRIO), located in the municipality of Caxias (RJ). After recruitment, the participants were randomized and allocated into two groups.
The participants were assessed regarding two outcomes: 1) Learning – which refers, in this study, to the assimilation of information given during the classes, i.e., technical questions about the anatomy and clinical cases about the hepatobiliary structure. It also refers to the dimensions of representation about learning (referential and procedural), which was evaluated quantitatively; and 2) Self-perception – the students’ own perception of the satisfaction of their learning in relation to the resources used. Learning was assessed through 3 multiple-choice questionnaires (alternatives A to D), totaling 30 questions. The first questionnaire (“pre-test”) included 10 questions on hepatobiliary anatomy and physiology. This assessment was applied before the students received any technical information and was justified by the need to verify their previous knowledge about the subject, in order to evaluate whether possible differences in this phase could affect the final results of the research. Shortly thereafter, all participants received expository content during a 90-minute (one-and-a-half hour) class, which focused on hepatobiliary anatomy and Couinaud’s segmentation, as well as the presentation of actual clinical cases on hepatobiliary structures (consisting of expository class and use of imaging exams). The liver was chosen as the study organ because it has some characteristics that favor a more reliable evaluation of the three-dimensional visualization. Firstly, it is an organ of which anatomical nomenclature is addressed early in the medical undergraduate course. Therefore, during the clinical cycle of the course, students, already familiar with the anatomical structure, are introduced to Couinaud’s hepatic segmental anatomy. This model was proposed by Couinaud in the 1960s and is widely accepted in clinical practice and especially in liver surgery. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . Moreover, anatomically, the liver is a globular organ. This facilitates comparison with 3D models for tumor-specific location and better planning of liver resection margins (typical requirements for liver surgery are locating the tumor and determining its associations with intrahepatic vascular and biliary systems). 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 .
The image data were entirely generated by the 3D virtual anatomical table, which belongs to the medical department of PUC-Rio. The internal visualization of the virtual liver was performed through a transparency control and sections in all of its axes (sagittal, coronal and transversal). Two real, formalin-preserved livers were transferred from UNIFESO to PUC-Rio two days prior to the application of the study protocol with specific authorization for this purpose. The livers (one with and the other without attached structures) were stored in thermal boxes, remaining under storage until the research instruction phase.
Randomization
After the expository class, the students were randomized and allocated to: 1) Experimental group – hepatobiliary anatomy + Couinaud’s segmentation (explored exclusively on the 3D anatomical table (Anatomage / software 3.0)); versus 2) Control group – same content as the experimental group; however, seen in a real liver. This phase was coordinated by the same teachers who taught the classes in the first phase (they received previous instructions about the use of the 3D anatomical table). To avoid introducing a bias regarding the teacher’s teaching method, both teachers were in charge of teaching both groups. To allow this, the interventions were applied at different times.
At the end of this phase, both groups were submitted to the second evaluation, consisting of 10 technical questions about the content. The aim of this evaluation was to verify the comparative effectiveness of the 3D virtual anatomical table with the real formalin-preserved model – and questions about the students’ own perception of satisfaction with the resources used to teach anatomy.
Finally, after the second assessment, the students were submitted to the last step related to instruction. Maintaining the same allocation, the students from each group returned, respectively, to the 3D anatomical table and the real liver. In this phase, participants were instructed about the liver and the attached structures and organs. For that purpose, resources from the virtual table that insert and / or remove attached organs were used. As for the real liver, two fresh organs were used in the study: a simple one (only liver and the gallbladder) and one with attached structures. At this phase, once again, the instructions were provided at different times by the same teachers to avoid the introduction of a bias related to the teaching method. After this phase, the third and last evaluation of the study, with a total duration of 30 minutes, was applied. In this test, in addition the 10 technical questions, 12 questions regarding the perception of self-satisfaction about the teaching resources were also applied. A flowchart representing the entire research protocol is shown in figure 1 .
Analyses
Student performance (learning) was assessed regarding the overall assessment score, being measured by two outcomes: incorrect response rate; and failure rate. The student who gave at least 11 incorrect questions was considered as having failed. The answers were only considered as correct or incorrect. All results (correct / incorrect) and the time required to answer each assessment were automatically recorded. The number of correct answers in each evaluation was tested in relation to their normality, from the values of asymmetry and kurtosis, being considered normal. Therefore, the number of correct answers in each evaluation (evaluations 1 to 3) and in each group (G1 – Anatomical Table and G2 – Real anatomical piece) was synthesized as mean followed by the respective standard deviation. The absolute difference between two means was presented. The comparison between the mean number of correct answers between two evaluations was tested by paired Student’s t test. On the other hand, the comparison between the mean number of correct answers between the two interventions was performed by Student’s t test for independent samples. The significance level was set at 5% (p <0.05).
To investigate the effect of the interventions on the students’ perceptions of their learning, a Likert scale was used, a 12-topic questionnaire using an inductive approach, where responses were grouped into 5 subcategories that can be quantified (I fully agree; I agree more than disagree; I cannot give an opinion; I disagree more than agree; I fully disagree). The first six questions are affirmative; the last six constitute a repetition of the first six; however, in the negative form. The purpose of this model is to verify the logical agreement between two contrary answers concerning the same question.
RESULTS
A total of 20 undergraduate students (65% women) participated in this study. Sixteen students came from UNIFESO and four from UNIGRANRIO. All participants remained in the research protocol until the end of the study. Gender distribution was similar between the two groups (Chart 1). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the students’ previous knowledge of hepatobiliary anatomy (p = 0.290), and there was no difference between the groups regarding the other evaluations (2 nd assessment: p = 0.572; and 3 rd assessment: p = 0.414).
Overall, the resources that were evaluated improved the participants’ learning. In the longitudinal comparison between the pretest and the two subsequent evaluations, the increase in knowledge about hepatobiliary anatomy and Couinaud’s segmentation was significant in both, being higher in the 2 nd evaluation – applied after the expository class and randomization to the anatomical table or real liver (p = 0.001), when compared to the 3 rd assessment – after the inclusion of attached organs in the anatomical table or real liver (p = 0.012) ( Chart 2 ). In the longitudinal comparison of the performance between the groups, the group that used the real liver was significantly better than the group that used the anatomical table in the 2 nd evaluation (p = 0.002). On the other hand, when the longitudinal comparison was between the pre-test and the 3 rd evaluation, the group that used the anatomical table performed significantly better (p = 0.040).
As explained, the second evaluation prioritized questions that addressed the three-dimensional visualization of the organ. On the other hand, the component statements of the third evaluation prioritized the liver’s connections with other body structures. Unlike the real liver, the 3D liver allowed visualization of the internal structures of the organ, such as hepatic veins and arteries. This technique occurred in two ways: through transparency control or through the use of the virtual scalpel, which “cut” the organ in several axes.
The results of the self-satisfaction assessment are shown in table 3, expressed as percentage of discordants. This criterion was adopted because it was based on the premise that most participants consider at least adequate the resources used for learning (especially the real liver, which is a reference standard for teaching anatomy). Secondly, a better visualization of the effect of resources was expected when comparing the groups. Overall, the students’ perception of satisfaction with the resources that were used in the study for the learning of hepatobiliary anatomy was considered very good, with a minimum overall satisfaction rate of 80%. When the survey specifically referred to the easily assimilated knowledge when using these learning resources, the percentage of agreement was total (100%). In the comparative mode between the groups, 20% of the students allocated to the real liver group were not satisfied with this type of resource, compared to 0% of this result in the table group. On the other hand, 30% of participants allocated to the anatomical table did not feel stimulated to learn hepatobiliary anatomy using the 3D feature, compared to 10% of the real liver group.
The self-satisfaction survey had as its target the learning resources that were used. Nevertheless, the instructors were also included in the assessment, because they consider that the way they explore pedagogical resources may interfere with students’ perceptions of satisfaction. Based on this assumption, it was observed that 10% of the participants allocated to the anatomical table considered that the teachers did not take full advantage of the teaching capacity of this resource. The discordance on this topic in the real liver group was total. When the question addressed the students’ capacity to reproduce the knowledge they obtained from their classes, 10% of each group stated that they did not feel able to perform this task. This proportion was the same as when the participants were asked about their motivation to utilize once again the resource that was used in the activity.
DISCUSSION
This study demonstrated that a high-resolution 3D digital platform with a full-size, virtual liver and gallbladder is an appropriate resource for teaching anatomy in Medicine. This statement – supported by other studies in the literature 1414 Langlois J , Wells GA , Lecourtois M , Bergeron G , Yetisir E , Martin M . Spatial abilities of medical graduates and choice of residency programs . Anat Sci Educ . 2015 Mar-Apr ; 8 ( 2 ): 111 - 9 . , 1515 Lombardi SA , Hicks RE , Thompson KV , Marbach-Ad G . Are all hands-on activities equally effective? Effect of using plastic models, organ dissections, and virtual dissections on student learning and perceptions . Adv Physiol Educ 2014 ; 38 : 80 - 6 . – is supported by the fact that the virtual anatomical table was able to provide the information to the medical student as well as a formalin-preserved real liver. This finding is demonstrated because both groups increased their knowledge from the baseline. That is, the acquisition of longitudinal knowledge (comparison between the pretest and the 3 rd assessment) was recorded in both arms of the study, being significantly higher by those who were in front of the anatomical table ( p = 0.040). However, cross-sectionally there was no statistically significant difference between the two interventions in the two evaluations that took place after the instruction phase of the study.
These results may be justified by the fact that the anatomical table reproduced structural features of the real organ, facilitating the learning of visuo-spatial relationships to a level of detail that may not be attainable for visualization by any other means (especially the internal liver segments), including the real organ. 1010 Jurgaitis J , Paškonis M , Pivoriūnas J , Martinaitytė I , Juška A , Jurgaitienė R , et al . The comparison of 2-dimensional with 3-dimensional hepatic visualization in the clinical hepatic anatomy education . Medicina ( Kaunas ) 2008 ; 44 ( 6 ). For instance, the group allocated to the real liver did not visualize portal vein branches in loco (they were not displayed separately from the liver parenchyma). Through the transparency control feature, the group allocated to the table could see, in the same image (preserved liver silhouette), not only the entire course of the intrahepatic vessels, but also their spatial correlation with each other or with other structures, 1515 Lombardi SA , Hicks RE , Thompson KV , Marbach-Ad G . Are all hands-on activities equally effective? Effect of using plastic models, organ dissections, and virtual dissections on student learning and perceptions . Adv Physiol Educ 2014 ; 38 : 80 - 6 . such as a Couinaud’s segment.
In addition to the learning outcome, a relevant finding of this study was the level of satisfaction with the anatomical table found among students. At least in theory, it is possible that more attractive resources will make students more interested and spend more time studying anatomy. On the other hand, this additional time spent on anatomical study and review could introduce an interference in the use of time dedicated to studying, as students may fail to prioritize other important areas of the medical course. This paradox should be considered when indicating the usefulness of the anatomical table. Nevertheless, similar findings have been previously reported 1616 Luursema J , Verwey WB . The Contribution of Dynamic Exploration to Virtual Anatomical Learning . Advances in Human-Computer Interaction 2011 . , 1717 McGee MG . Human spatial abilities: Psychometric studies and environmental, genetic, hormonal, and neurological influences . Psychol Bull 1979 ; 86 : 889 - 918 . and may represent a more convincing argument for the development of interactive 3D teaching tools.
In a research similar to this protocol, Venis et al. 1818 Müller-Stich BP , Löb N , Wald D , Bruckner T , Meinzer H , Kadmon M , et al . Regular three-dimensional presentations improve in the identification of surgical liver anatomy – a randomized study . BMC Medical Education 2013 ; 13 : 131 . carried out a comparative study evaluating the effectiveness of the 3D virtual anatomical table (Anatomage/software 3.0) versus anatomical models aimed to learning knee anatomy in 12 medical students. Similarly, the researchers applied three tests (one pretest (before instruction), one post-test (with technical questions, as well as self-satisfaction questions), and one last test 2 weeks after the end of the protocol to assess information retention. The participants allocated to the anatomical table group showed significantly better results in the two regular post-instructional assessments ( p -0.020; and p -0.047). The perception of satisfaction was also higher among the students who used the anatomical table (score in the Likert scale of 4.6 versus 3.2 points). 1818 Müller-Stich BP , Löb N , Wald D , Bruckner T , Meinzer H , Kadmon M , et al . Regular three-dimensional presentations improve in the identification of surgical liver anatomy – a randomized study . BMC Medical Education 2013 ; 13 : 131 .
In a broader context, the results that express effectiveness and satisfaction regarding the use of 3D resources bring in parallel an important counterpoint to the paradigm of the need for the use of cadavers and structures in situ in the teaching of anatomy. First, there is no doubt that actual anatomical structures represent the standard of reference for understanding the three-dimensional component of the human body through observation and discovery. 1919 Numminen K , Sipila O , Mäkisalo H. Preoperative hepatic 3D models: Virtual liver resection using three-dimensional imaging technique . European Journal of Radiology 56 ( 2005 ) 179 - 84 . Second, this helps the formation of the spatial reasoning necessary for the understanding and interpretation of the information provided by the image. However, preserved real anatomical structures do not always provide an accurate impression of the living body and are a source of emotional unrest for some students. 1919 Numminen K , Sipila O , Mäkisalo H. Preoperative hepatic 3D models: Virtual liver resection using three-dimensional imaging technique . European Journal of Radiology 56 ( 2005 ) 179 - 84 . From another perspective, the time set aside by educational institutions for the traditional learning of gross anatomy through visual and tactile experience of the actual structure has been reduced by incorporating active learning methods (such as problem-based learning), 1919 Numminen K , Sipila O , Mäkisalo H. Preoperative hepatic 3D models: Virtual liver resection using three-dimensional imaging technique . European Journal of Radiology 56 ( 2005 ) 179 - 84 . a fact that has forced experts to rethink how to teach anatomy.
Against this perspective, Costa e Lins 2020 Silén C , Wirell S , Kvist J , Nylander E , Smedby O . Advanced 3D visualization in student-centred medical education . Medical Teacher 2008 ; 30 : e115 – e124 . reported that the use of human corpses, even if only for demonstration of anatomical structures in class, was considered indispensable to the teaching-learning process in the study of human anatomy by 542 students from different health courses, mainly because they considered that the handling of the corpse represented a way to strengthen the humanization of the conduct of future health professionals. 2020 Silén C , Wirell S , Kvist J , Nylander E , Smedby O . Advanced 3D visualization in student-centred medical education . Medical Teacher 2008 ; 30 : e115 – e124 . Although the anatomical table has been able to provide a level of information similar to the real liver and is a device that has some advantages over the organ in situ (for example, it does not use formaldehyde; it allows for “virtual dissection” as often as necessary, etc.), these findings do not support the hypothesis that the anatomical table can replace the structures in situ in the teaching of anatomy, mainly because this study has important limitations.
The effectiveness of three-dimensional resources in the teaching of hepatobiliary anatomy is demonstrated in several works 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . , 1515 Lombardi SA , Hicks RE , Thompson KV , Marbach-Ad G . Are all hands-on activities equally effective? Effect of using plastic models, organ dissections, and virtual dissections on student learning and perceptions . Adv Physiol Educ 2014 ; 38 : 80 - 6 . with some nuances between them. Unlike this study, Beerman et al. 1515 Lombardi SA , Hicks RE , Thompson KV , Marbach-Ad G . Are all hands-on activities equally effective? Effect of using plastic models, organ dissections, and virtual dissections on student learning and perceptions . Adv Physiol Educ 2014 ; 38 : 80 - 6 . and Jurgaitis et al. 33 Beermann J , Tetzlaff R , Bruckner T , Schöebinger M , Müller-Stich BP , Gutt CN , et al : Three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of surgical liver anatomy . Med Educ 2010 ; 44 : 936 - 40 . did not use a pretest in their research protocols, which brings out the possibility that the difference found in the results of these studies was influenced by a greater prior knowledge of the students allocated to the 3D group. In our study, although the pretest performance was measured (showing no statistically significant difference between groups ( p = 0.290), we did not assess other variables that could interfere with the final research results.
For instance, this is the case with the innate spatial ability. 2121 Sugand K , Abrahams P , Khurana A . The Anatomy of Anatomy: A Review for Its Modernization . Anatomical Sciences Education 2010 ; 3 : 83 - 93 . Spatial abilities consist of visualization, orientation and manipulation of structures in space. 2222 Venis K , Staniskyte M , Smith D , Alessio H . The comparison of anatomical models and the anatomage table as effective teaching modalities . Annual meeting of the american college of sports medicine 2014 ;poster p 1 - 12 . Spatial abilities have been related to knowledge of three-dimensional anatomy (3D), being applied in practical exams (identification), topographic questions, among others. 25 Based on this information, Hegarty et al. 2323 Winkelmann A . Anatomical dissection as a teaching method in medical school: a review of the evidence . Medical Education 2007 ; 41 : 15 - 22 . identified a model capable of expressing individual differences regarding the performance in some of these areas, attributed to innate spatial abilities (Hegarty, 2007). It is possible, therefore, that students have different levels of spatial abilities and this may have affected the results of this research. Second, our sample was considerably small, possibly unable to reliably demonstrate differences in estimates of the intervention effect.
In conclusion, the 3D virtual anatomical table improved the knowledge of hepatobiliary anatomy for medical students in relation to their previous knowledge of these structures. In the cross-sectional comparison of post-instructional evaluations, there was no difference between the two interventions. Moreover, the 3D platform had a positive impact on the satisfaction level of the study participants. This study shows that the 3D virtual anatomical table has the potential to improve medical students’ understanding and interest in anatomy. Therefore, it is recommended that future protocols such as this be performed with larger samples and exploring other anatomical structures.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank Milene Couras da Cruz for providing the research team with the necessary training on the use of the 3D anatomical table.
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Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
13 Jan 2020 -
Date of issue
2019
History
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Received
10 Mar 2019 -
Accepted
20 May 2019