Abstract:

For centuries, anatomy has been a fundamental course in both medical education and health sciences education. However, with the development of computer and new technologies, new information coming from other medical and health science fields suppressed anatomy course and decreased its credits in the curriculum. This problem causes some concerns as to whether anatomy education or knowledge is sufficient. The only problem in anatomy education is not the decline in course credits. Difficulties in providing cadaver for anatomy laboratory practices are also a serious problem. Indeed, cadavers are expensive and moreover, cadaver donations are very low. All these reasons make anatomy education difficult for students to practice and learn. In addition, the increase in the number of students taking the anatomy course and the inadequate number of teaching staff decrease the interaction between student and teacher or student and course material in anatomy education. All these problems raised some concerns such as the quality of anatomy education and anatomy knowledge of the students.

In this study, which is a literature review, the existing problems in anatomy education are examined in depth. The aim of this study is to contribute to the development of various solutions for the different problems in anatomy education. The focus of these solutions is to integrate today's digital technologies into anatomy education. The developments in digital technologies, important alternatives and opportunities appeared in anatomy education such as 3-dimensional (3D) materials or applications and even digital cadavers. Thus, the students can access these educational anatomy materials wherever and whenever they want. Each student can learn anatomy topics in his/her own learning pace. Also, this student-centered learning strategy supplies more interaction between students and course topics.

It is thought that this study will contribute to the institutions providing education in the field of anatomy. In addition, it is thought that the study will help the instructors in anatomy teaching and the researchers working on anatomy education. Over and above, the study is thought to be a guide for future studies.

Keywords:

Education, anatomy, anatomy education, digital anatomy, digital technologies, 3D material, technology.