The Awareness of Medical Students in Nigerian Universities about the Use of Plastinated Specimens for Anatomical Studies
Journal Title: Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) - Year 2012, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
Over the past decade, the role of anatomical teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum has changed considerably. At some medical schools, active dissection of cadaveric specimens is gradually being replaced by prosection-based methods and other resources such as e-learning, use of plastinated materials and models. Academic faculties in some of our medical schools are recently obtaining necessary skills in plastination technology which would aid in the future production and usage of plastinated prosections. The latter would be used as adjunct to wet cadaveric specimens in undergraduate anatomy teaching. The aim of this study was to examine students’ views on the use of plastinated prosections for their anatomical learning. This was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires and focus group for data collection. The questionnaire was completed by 280 undergraduate medical and anatomy students out of 300 (response rate 93%). The majority of students (70%) have never heard of plastination before while 40 % of the remainder heard through the internet. Also, 94.29% rated plastinated prosections as a valuable resource for their anatomical learning and would want to learn about the technique. While 75% of respondents felt that students would benefit immensely from plastinated prosections, more than 78% said it should be used alongside other cadaveric materials. We conclude that plastinated prosections are an adequate resource for the early stages of undergraduate training, but that the learning experience may be further enhanced by providing opportunity for the study of wet cadaveric material.
Authors and Affiliations
Onyemaechi Okpara Azu| Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Nigeria, Aniekan Imo Peter| Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Nigeria, Bassey Tom Etuknwa| Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Nigeria, Gabriel John Ekandem| Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Nigeria
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP8839
- DOI 10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2011.0202
- Views 320
- Downloads 18
Protective Effect of Either Dietary or Pharmaceutical n-3 Fatty Acids on Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats
Background. Evidence suggests that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are beneficial for maintenance of bone health and possibly bone development. Aim. To emphasize the effect of using either dietary flaxseed oil t...
Evaluation of Different Methods for Hygienic Microbiological Control from the Working Surfaces in the Microbiological Laboratories
Background: The role of the inter-hospital non-living environment in spreading of some infections is not universally accepted attitude, but still there is a proof that in some cases it is a risk factor for causing infe...
Factors Affecting Recurrence of Hepatitis C Virus in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Among Egyptian Patients
Background. The population in Egypt has a heavy burden of chronic liver disease, mostly due to chronic infection with hepatitis C virus. Aim. To study prevalence and the factors affecting on recurrence of HCV genotype...
RADAR Calculated vs. TLD Effective Doses to Family Members of Thyroid Cancer Patients Treated with Iodine 131
Introduction. Patients who receive therapeutic amount of radioactive iodine 131 are significant sources of radiation to their family members, members of the public and others. The situation can be overcome by imposing...
In Vitro Characterization of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED)
Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) provide a new attractive source for stem cells; in this study we further characterize SHED. SHED were isolated, differentiated using osteogenic/ odontogenic diffe...