A medical academic leading the University’s teaching in virtual dissection has given a keynote speech at a leading conference in San Jose, California – the first international speaker to do so.
Dr Siobhan Moyes, Lead in Anatomy in Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (PUPSMD), was invited to present at the Anatomage User Group Meeting (UGM) this summer and share how she had integrated the cutting edge Anatomage table into teaching.
The Anatomage table is the most technologically advanced anatomy virtual dissection and visualisation system for anatomy education, and is used in conjunction with volunteer model patients, medical imaging, plastic models, and e-resources to teach anatomy to the University’s medical, dental and physician associate students since 2015.
As well as highlighting the University’s use of the resource, and how to prepare students to use it independently, Dr Moyes also provided an interactive workshop to highlight teaching methods delegates could apply in their own institution.
Dr Moyes said:
“Plymouth became the first University in the South West to invest in the technology of a virtual dissection table. Being able to isolate a structure and look around it 360 degrees to understand how it interacts with the surrounding anatomy has been hugely beneficial to the students.
“It has been a privilege to both share what we do here in Plymouth and offer ideas on how other institutions worldwide can utilise the table in their teaching. It was also great to get feedback from delegates on some ideas that we will be piloting in the new semester at PUSPMD, which will allow students to deepen their anatomy understanding.
“A recent study has shown that virtual dissection is as effective as cadaveric at teaching doctors of the future about anatomy and vital structures, and we’re pleased that this underlines the success of our teaching methods. Being the first international academic invited to present at the Anatomage UGM was a great privilege, and it was wonderful to share the innovative work of PUPSMD with other educators around the world.”