Latest Developments in AN@TOMEDIA TM

Latest Developments in AN@TOMEDIA ™

Christopher A. Briggs, Norman Eizenberg, Priscilla Barker and Ivica Grkovic

Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The University of Melbourne, Australia

ABSTRACT:

Anatomy is integral to the study of medicine and health related sciences. Through it students gain an understanding of the normal structure of the human body, forming a framework by which they can later recognise and study abnormality. Dissection is the ideal method of learning anatomy but it is time consuming, expensive and often difficult both technically and logistically. Health science education is rapidly being reconstructed worldwide to accommodate the demands of either systemic (problem-based) or regional (traditional) curricula, while becoming increasingly crowded with new subjects. This has resulted in less time to consolidate and integrate anatomical knowledge in a clinical context.

An@tomedia™ is designed to redress some of these problems. The software is being developed in the context of a new practical anatomy-teaching program being undertaken at The University of Melbourne but which has broad applicability. An@tomedia™ is a comprehensive, flexible resource to accommodate students at any level of study and complement any curriculum. Presently four of nine modules; Back, Abdomen, Thorax and General Anatomy are available and the remaining five modules; Upper Limb, Lower Limb, Pelvis, Neck and Head are scheduled for completion in the near future. Multiple perspectives are provided for each module: 'Dissection' includes practical (including emergency) procedures and post-mortem images, 'Imaging' incorporates sectional and endoscopic anatomy, 'Regions' incorporates surface and functional anatomy, 'Systems' incorporates conceptual and clinical anatomy.

An@tomedia™ is unique in that it uses real human bodies (prepared and photographed in each stage of a layer-by-layer dissection) complimented by sections, imaging and procedures that enable the user to both construct and deconstruct the human body interactively. Creative visuals with graphic overlays, diagrams, and explanations provide a simpler conceptualisation of the complex reality. The program also compares the appearance of un-embalmed dissections and highlights the relevance of anatomy for common practical procedures by demonstrating these on specimens.

Operators can choose the order and rate in which they study the body, their direction of learning about it (by construction, via systems and regions or by deconstruction, via dissection and imaging) and the degree of detail (with optional text, overlays and 'rollover' identifications at every screen). The specially designed protocol enables them to 'build' systems, 'assemble' regions, 'trace' radiological images, 'map' surface landmarks and 'discover' underlying anatomical concepts, all on computer. They can alter their approach at any time and view the same anatomical structure from a different perspective (e.g. external cardiac compression followed by an ultrasound image or diagram of the heart then a dissection series). An@tomedia™ is also a valuable resource for practitioners, allowing anatomy revision with a clinical and applied emphasis and the flexibility to choose their own rate, topics and detail of learning. In addition, practitioners may find the program useful to assist with their patient's education; for example explaining the anatomical basis of referred pain, tumour spread, or in outlining procedures or surgery the patient may require.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

¨ Multimedia developers will be interested in the interface of this program, which is designed to cover a complex subject and enable maximal interactivity, yet remains as simple and intuitive as possible.

¨ Curriculum developers and educators in anatomy will be able to see the latest developments in this comprehensive multimedia resource. In particular, they will appreciate its applicability to all levels from novice to expert, solid educational basis and quality serial images of real cadavers.

¨ Ways in which An@tomedia™ may be utilised by educators, students and health practitioners in self-education, patient education and as a consultation tool will be explored.

Christopher A. Briggs

Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

The University of Melbourne

Victoria 2010

Australia

Phone: +61 3 8344 5776

Fax: +61 3 9347 5219

Email: mailto:c.briggs@unimelb.edu.au

Website: http://www.anatomedia.com

CO-AUTHORS:

Norman Eizenberg

Priscilla Barker