McMaster University's Department of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology
has developed an extensive collection of self-directed learning modules in Anatomy
which are available in an open laboratory. How medical and allied health students use
this resource has never been adequately surveyed.
The rates, patterns and reasons for module use among first and second year
medical students were surveyed by questionnaire in late 1992. A similar questionnaire
was administered to students in Block 3 of the Physiotherapy programme in early
1993. Analysis was done using a standard computer-based statistical package.
Average module use among Unit 1 medical students (estimated by a weighted
average) is 1.39 hours per week, with a statistically significant increase reported by
Unit 4 medical students. Physiotherapy students, whose programme has a strong
emphasis on musculoskeletal anatomy, had lab use rates 140% greater than Unit I
medical students. Patterns of module use and student satisfaction with the modules
depend not only upon the medical student's level in the programme, but also upon
their previous backgrounds in biological/health science and problem-based learning
experience. The rates and patterns of use were much more consistent among
physiotherapy students, who were also far more satisfied with the organization and content of the modules than the medical students were. Medical students who were
tutored by research scientists rather than clinicians had different rates and patterns of
module use.
The survey also indicates that students' use of the anatomy laboratory is not
primarily driven by their tutor's suggestions; by a requirement for a detailed
knowledge of anatomy for clinical skills purposes; or because module use saves time.
The comparatively heavy use of the Anatomy lab and modules by physiotherapy
students is clearly related to the demands of their programme. Students do believe that
module use will help them contribute to their tutorial discussions and to the
evaluations that occur in this setting. / Thesis / Master of Science (Teaching)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/16276 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Zehr, Connie L. |
| Contributors | Butler, R. G., Richardson, R. J., Biology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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