Only time will tell..

If you have been reading my blog a few months back i posted something (there is also a newspaper article http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19039542-421,00.html) about the concerns that Monash medical students may not be learning enough anatomy since dissection will be scrapped next year.. well, these are the responses our student reps got from a dialogue with key members of the faculty (including the Dean and various Monash teaching hospital surgeons) which were posted on our intranet. Only time will tell whether they will go a long way..

* Monash's anatomy teaching allocation time is highest of any Australian University course (27% of 3rd year teaching time being allocated to anatomy, and that's not including PBL or Neuroanatomy teaching!)
* The surgeons represented were overall very supportive of the program, and commented that Monash students are at the higher end of the spectrum with regards to anatomical knowledge
* Anatomy teaching does not stop at 2nd year, it continues through the clinical years via PBL and bedside teaching (students aren't expected to have a comprehensive knowledge at the end of second year)
* There are plans to introduce an anatomy lecture series into teaching hospitals for clinical students & to make available formative testing (via MUSO) and computer anatomy teaching programs currently available to preclinical students
* There are plans to establish an improved 'introduction to anatomy' for 1st year med students in 1st semester
* Monash will be establishing itself as a leader in anatomy teaching with the construction of the Eric Glasgow Anatomy teaching centre (something like PBL rooms loaded with models and potted specimens other than those found in the anatomy museum)
* Anecdotally, most current clinical students are satisfied with their level of anatomical knowledge and would like to convey their assurance to students in the preclinical years that they are being taught enough anatomy
* Motivations of many parties who instigated the media attention surrounding teaching of anatomy, are not based around improving the standard of teaching for students. Those surgeons present at the meeting were positive about current teaching, but also advised of some strategies to continually improve its delivery throughout the course.
* A major priority in relation to teaching of anatomy in clinical years, should be the provision of 'signposts' to highlight key areas of knowledge to assist students with their self directed learning.
* An anatomy advisory board, consisting of clinicians, surgeons, and university teaching staff has been formed to oversee the anatomy curriculum

Overall, the meeting was very productive and all in attendance were satisfied with the conclusions reached as have been summarised above.