Advances in Anatomy at Monash University

by Associate Professor Nigel Wreford

Anatomy teaching worldwide has been in transition since 1970 with the move away from lengthy dissection programs to more focussed programs. At Monash, we have sought to retain the elements of dissection whilst adopting the best features of contemporary programs.

Anatomy teaching at Monash is guided by an Anatomy Advisory Board consisting of anatomists, clinicians and educationalists. The Board meets 3-4 times a year and reviews all aspects of the program.

Commencing in 2007, Anatomy at Monash will be taught using a combination of lectures and small group teaching. The curriculum will be defined by an extensive set of objectives and short notes that have been refined over recent years. Small group teaching will be performed in new networked tutorial rooms (Glasgow rooms) equipped for data projection and containing an extensive set of anatomical models. Contemporary e-learning programs such as ADAM, Anatomedia and Primal will be available online. These will be supplemented by material developed in house to match our curriculum. A maximum group size of 16 is envisaged. Small group work will be student centred and supplemented by lectures delivered a week in advance.

The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology is keen to continue to support dissection as a learning modality. Dissection allows for students to develop a unique understanding of 3D structure and variability as well as development of anatomical language in context. All practical classes will be supported by a dissection performed by students in rotation as the program proceeds. Ready access to the dissected specimens is facilitated by the immediate proximity of the new Glasgow Tutorial rooms to the dissecting room.

Conscious of the need to deliver anatomy support to clinical students we have distributed the Anatomy teaching software to all Faculty student computers. From semester 2, 2006 students at all sites will be able to access e-learning material previously limited to students based at the Clayton campus. The Department is also working with the year three committee to deliver relevant lecture material at hospital sites.