Radiologist’s views on anatomical knowledge amongst junior doctors and the teaching of anatomy in medical curricula

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2019

Source: Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

Author(s): Gerard W. O'Keeffe, Shane Davy, Denis S. Barry

Abstract

Reduced teaching resources, increasing student numbers and congested medical curricula have reportedly led to reports of inadequate anatomical knowledge among newly qualified doctors, placing scrutiny on pre-clinical education. We wished to gauge the opinions of practicing radiologists on undergraduate anatomy education. Members of the Irish Faculty of Radiologists were invited to complete a questionnaire based on undergraduate anatomical education. Out of 67 respondents, 69% were of senior grade, with the majority working in aspects of diagnostic radiology. Irrespective of year of graduation, respondents universally agreed that anatomy is central to the field; however, year of graduation significantly influenced radiologist's level of satisfaction with their anatomical knowledge at the start of their training. Fifty percent believed that the cadaver should remain the cornerstone of anatomy education. The vast majority of radiologists agreed that radiology and anatomy should be taught in tandem during pre-clinical training, to better preparing students for clinical practice. Practicing radiologists believed they were best positioned to deliver radiology-based anatomy teaching. CT and MRI respectively were proposed as the preferred imaging modalities for teaching anatomy, although free comments showed varied opinion on how radiology and cadaveric anatomy should be integrated. Radiologists were concerned with the anatomical knowledge of the junior doctor and provided insights into undergraduate radiology integration. This study may add to the debate concerning the vertical integration of medical education and may help inform the delivery of radiology in the anatomy curriculum.

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