Effects of 3D Bone Models on Anatomy Education: Student Survey

Abstract

Background/Aims: Anatomy education is of great importance in evaluating the human body as a whole and understanding the normal functioning of organs and systems. Knowledge of human anatomy plays a critical role in the diagnosis of diseases, surgical interventions, evaluation of the health status of patients, and interpretation of the results of advanced imaging techniques. This study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of learning anatomy with the three-dimensional virtual anatomy atlas we developed and to investigate the effect of virtual three-dimensional applications on learning compared to traditional materials.Methods: The 3D applied atlas we developed was sent to the Faculty of Medicine term 1-2, Dentistry term 1, and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation term 1 students. Students were asked to use the 3D applied atlas in addition to traditional medical education materials in their anatomy learning process. A 9-question Google Forms survey was prepared to evaluate their satisfaction of the application.Results: 471 participants from the Faculty of Dentistry, Medicine Term 1-2, and Physiotherapy Rehabilitation classes participated in our survey. Of the participants, 140 were Faculty of Dentistry students, 70 were Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (PTR), 172 were Faculty of Medicine 1st Term and 89 were Faculty of Medicine 2nd Term. The number of students who found two-dimensional atlases useful was 198, while the number of students who found 3D models useful was 231. The number of students who found the cadaver model useful was 161.Conclusions: Based on the survey data we obtained, we can say that the students are satisfied with our 3D atlas application and have a positive attitude towards three-dimensional educational materials.