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01-07-2020 | Review

Three-dimensional printing in anatomy teaching: current evidence

Authors: Dimitrios Chytas, Elizabeth O. Johnson, Maria Piagkou, George Tsakotos, George C. Babis, Vasileios S. Nikolaou, Konstantinos Markatos, Konstantinos Natsis

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 7/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The critical literature review investigates the extent to which the current evidence supports that three-dimensional printing (3DP) could play an important role in human anatomy education.

Methods

PubMed, ERIC, and Cochrane databases were searched for papers dealing with the outcomes of 3DP implementation in human undergraduate anatomy education. The following data were extracted from each paper: authors, year of publication, type of study (comparative or not), number of participants, level of outcome according to Kirkpatrick hierarchy, influence of 3DP on acquisition of anatomical knowledge and skills, as well as perceptions about the 3DP use in anatomy teaching.

Results

Eight papers were eligible for analysis. All of them comprised comparison of 3DP with other anatomy teaching tools. Two papers evaluated only students’ perceptions about 3DP, while six papers explored its impact on students’ knowledge. The 3DP was statistically significantly superior to two-dimensional images in terms of the investigated parameters. However, comparison between 3DP and cadavers’ dissection by students did not take place in any study.

Conclusion

The 3DP implementation in anatomy education showed promising outcomes. However, the lack of studies which compared the educational effectiveness of 3DP with that of cadavers’ dissection is highlighted. It seems that 3DP could certainly be used as an adjunct to cadavers’ dissection. Further research could clarify if 3DP could obtain a more prominent role in anatomy pedagogy compared to other anatomy teaching modalities.

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Title: Three-dimensional printing in anatomy teaching: current evidence
Authors: Dimitrios Chytas
Elizabeth O. Johnson
Maria Piagkou
George Tsakotos
George C. Babis
Vasileios S. Nikolaou
Konstantinos Markatos
Konstantinos Natsis
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer Paris
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 7/2020
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02470-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Three-dimensional printing in anatomy teaching: current evidence

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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