The paper puzzle as an active learning tool in the teaching of anatomy: A qualitative study of perceptions in students and near‐peer teachers

Active learning strategies enhance medical education by fostering self-directed learning, communication, and problem-solving skills. The paper puzzle, a game-based learning approach, provides an engaging way to reinforce anatomical knowledge and promote collaboration. This study assessed its impact on student performance and perceptions in clinical anatomy, comparing it to PowerPoint-based imaging reviews and evaluating the role of Near Peer Teachers (NPTs). A prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental study with a mixed-methods approach was conducted on first-year medical students enrolled in the Human Anatomy course. Surveys using a Likert scale assessed student and NPT perceptions, while focus groups and interviews provided qualitative insights. Thematic analysis identified key themes related to engagement, knowledge reinforcement, and effectiveness. A total of 907 medical students and 30 NPTs completed a survey, while 75 students and 10 NPTs participated in the qualitative phase. Students perceived the paper puzzle as an engaging and interactive review tool that reduced stress, increased involvement, and enhanced knowledge retrieval through collaboration and a structured gameplay loop. They also valued the emotional impact on learning. NPTs reported benefits for student motivation and teamwork but noted that time constraints limited content coverage. The activity's effectiveness was highly dependent on the NPT's facilitation, emphasizing the need for structured implementation. Findings suggested that game-based learning strategies like the paper puzzle can improve motivation, teamwork, and content retrieving in anatomy education when carefully designed and effectively executed by NPTs.