Integration of Radiology in Teaching Gross Anatomy versus Traditional Teaching in Phase 1 MBBS Students: An Interventional Study

Abstract Introduction: Radiology integration in gross Anatomy teaching is the need of the hour. Research and implementations are going on to amalgamate gross anatomy with radiological anatomy which is likely to augment students’ interest in gross Anatomy. Aim: This study aims to develop a standard Radiology Integrated Anatomy (RIA) module for teaching fundamentals of Anatomy to first-year MBBS students and to assess the effectiveness of the module. Methodology: Hundred (100) students of MBBS batch 2021-22 was distributed equally into study and control groups. The study group was first trained with the RIA module of superior extremity followed by a posttest while the control group was tutored by traditional method and then given the same post test. The groups were flipped for consecutive regions (Thorax) of gross anatomy syllabus. Imaging anatomy used for teaching included normal and abnormal X-ray plates and axial CT scans. Results: Results were compared between two groups for both qualitative and quantitative data. Posttest scores were compared using the student’s t -test. The posttest scores were substantially higher in the study group when compared to the control group. Eighty three percent (83%) students opined the RIA module helped them to describe normal radiological (anatomy) features. Sixty eight percent (68%) students perceived that RIA learning helped them to apply anatomical knowledge to diagnose clinical cases. Conclusion: The present study supports the fact that integrative teaching of Anatomy and Radiology was well accepted by the study participants. The RIA module was more effective when compared to the traditional method of teaching and helped in refining the spatial orientation with applied anatomy knowledge right from the first year of MBBS curriculum.