To Touch or Not to Touch: Evaluating Student Laboratory Outcomes of Hands-On versus Visual Examination of Prosected Cadavers

• Main Authors: Jennifer F. Dennis (Author), Bradley A. Creamer (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

We utilized the physical manipulation of cadaveric donors by students to evaluate learning outcomes in two undergraduate anatomy courses. Students (<i>n</i> = 176) were assigned as those whom 'manipulated' (<i>n</i> = 100) or 'did not manipulate' (<i>n</i> = 76) donors, and data were compared to performance on laboratory assessments. A Fisher's exact test was conducted within individual and combined course populations to assess if the relationship between physical touch and receiving a passing grade is more than expected by chance. BIO 201 'manipulating' students received a 'C' or better (<i>n =</i> 58) vs. 6 D, F, or Withdraw grades (DFW) on lab practicals as compared to those who did not manipulate (<i>n =</i> 33 DFW vs. 18 C or better) (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). BIO 221 'manipulating' students (<i>n =</i> 34) received a 'C' or better vs. DFW grades (<i>n =</i> 2), while 'non-manipulating' students were able to earn outcomes of 'C' or better (<i>n =</i> 13 vs. 12 DFW). However, students involved in donor manipulation were more likely to receive a 'C or better' (<i>p =</i> 0.0002). Analysis of the data as a single cohort indicates non-manipulating students are 7.24 times more likely to earn a 'DFW' on lab practicals, demonstrating that students are better prepared for laboratory assessments when encouraged to manipulate anatomical structures.

Item Description

10.3390/educsci12080519
2227-7102