Mitchell T, Newton BW, Terreberry RR, VanCura MX. Video Dissections to Determine the Usefulness of Synthetic Cadavers vs. Real Cadavers. HAPS Educator. 2016;20(3):115-118


Abstract

Cadaver dissection is a staple of medical education and remains one of the most powerful tools for teaching anatomy, realistically pairing visual and haptic (kinesthetic communication) feedback. Cadaver dissection is used in many settings including undergraduate anatomy programs and specialized programs that train allied health professions. However, logistical difficulties encountered with the use of real cadavers, including the cost of cadavers, specialized facilities to house and store the cadavers, and access to instructors experienced in dissection, can be prohibitive and negatively impact student learning. Fullscale synthetic cadavers (SynDaver™Labs) with realistic tissue properties, offer an exciting possibility for expanding the scope of teaching gross anatomy. Synthetic cadavers are easy to store, do not require specialized facilities, and are accessible with minimal dissecting experience. We evaluated the use of synthetic cadavers and video dissections of synthetic vs. real cadavers using feedback from first year medical students at Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.