Abstract
Detailed knowledge of anatomical systems is vital for clinical veterinary practice. However, students often find it difficult to transfer skills learned from textbooks to real-life practice. In this study, a three-dimensional computer model representing equine paranasal sinus anatomy (3D-ESM) was created and evaluated for its contribution to student understanding of the 3D dynamic nature of the system.Veterinary students and equine professionals at the University of Bristol were randomly allocated into experimental (3D model) and control (2D lecture) groups. A pre-/post-study design was used to evaluate the efficacy of the 3D model through a pre–/post–multiple-choice question (MCQ) anatomical knowledge exam and a pre-/post-questionnaire gathering information on participant demographics, confidence, and satisfaction. No statistically significant difference was found between 3D and 2D groups’ post-MCQ exam scores (t39 = 1.289, p = .205). 3D group participant feedback was more positive than 2D group feedback, and 3D group satisfaction scores on Likert questions were significantly higher (t118 = −5.196, p < .001). Additionally, confidence scores were significantly higher in the 3D group than in the 2D group immediately following the study (p < .05). Participants’ open-text responses indicated they found the 3D model helpful in learning the complex anatomy of the equine paranasal sinuses. Findings suggest the 3D-ESM is an effective educational tool that aids in confidence, enjoyment, and knowledge acquisition.Though it was not better than traditional methods in terms of anatomy knowledge exam scores, the model is a valuable inclusion into the veterinary anatomy curriculum. © American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), 2023.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 234-242 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Veterinary Medical Education |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Apr 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors wish to thank Dr. Nicola Rooney for her guidance provided throughout the entire course. The first author would like to gratefully acknowledge the help and support provided by the primary supervisor, Dr. Julie Dickson, without whose guidance this work would never have been possible. The first author would also like to thank co-supervisor Dr. Sam Bescoby for his thorough knowledge of the equine paranasal sinuses and advice throughout the creation of the 3D-ESM. Special thanks to Faiz Rahman (University of Bristol, MEng in Mechanical Engineering) for his help and guidance throughout the 3D-ESM creation, knowledge on 3D modeling, and overall support throughout the project! This project was presented at the conference VetEd 2021 and at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Health Sciences Education (CHSE) virtual conference 2021.
Publisher Copyright:
© American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), 2023.