Message From Our Staff: Tech-Powered Teaching of Anatomy at LKCMedicine

By Associate Professor Sreenivasulu Reddy Mogali,  Clinical Anatomy & Medical Education, LKCMedicine

Anatomy is a challenging subject due to its complexity and the volume of information. However, under the enhanced curriculum of the MBBS programme, the learning of anatomy at LKCMedicine is set to become more immersive and interesting, thanks to our tech-powered teaching and learning which will prepare students to use innovative technological tools to stay ahead of the curve and face the challenges and complexities of the medical profession.

Anatomy will be taught in a vertical theme through a spiral curriculum, which means students revisit and refine their understanding of anatomy as they advance. Using cutting-edge technology, and plastinated prosections, students learn the fundamentals of anatomy in the first two years.

Students will then dissect human cadavers during their clinical years (Years 3 and 4) to complement their surgery training. This will permit understanding the relevance of anatomy to clinical and surgical planning, interventions, and treatment by presenting it in various contexts and levels of complexity.

We believe that this novel approach not only incorporates the best of new and traditional methods, but also provides scaffolding for students to add complexity and comprehend more advanced and challenging invasive procedures.

As anatomy is primarily a visual science, traditionally it consisted solely of examining two-dimensional illustrations in textbooks and dissecting or observing cadaveric specimens. Owing to the emergence of 3D technology and visualisation tools, anatomy course at LKCMedicine now integrates 3D anatomy applications, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) with traditional methods to dissect the virtual cadavers and examine the anatomical structures layer by layer, thus providing immersive experiences in ways that were not possible with traditional teaching methods.

Students can look forward to benefitting from in-house-developed 3D-printed anatomical models, which they can touch and examine closely. This adds a tactile and tangible dimension to learning. With the use of these interactive and engaging technologies, the study of anatomy will be further enriched, significantly improving students’ learning experiences.

Anatomy education fosters not only professional competence but also ethical and empathetic healthcare providers through teamwork, attention to detail, and ethical considerations. In addition to imparting knowledge, anatomy education at LKCMedicine cultivates a deep respect for the donated human cadavers (silent mentors) and prepares students for a lifelong commitment to healthcare education.