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The Coalition of American Societies for Anatomy (CASA): working together to improve opportunities
Author(s) -
Svoboda Kathy K H
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a139-c
Subject(s) - scrutiny , presentation (obstetrics) , economic shortage , swot analysis , face (sociological concept) , medical education , political science , anatomy , medicine , sociology , management , government (linguistics) , law , social science , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , economics
Anatomical science professionals face many challenges including: loss of home departments in medical/dental schools, decreased teaching hours, increased public scrutiny of body donor programs, increased regulation of donor programs. CASA was formed in 2003 by representatives from the American Association of Anatomists (AAA), American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA), Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology Chairpersons (AACBNC), and the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). Three societies agreed to continue a relationship (AAA, AACA and HAPS). A key accomplishment was the publication of a position paper “The importance of anatomy in health professions education and the shortage of qualified educators” (R.S. McCuskey, S.W. Carmichael, D.G. Kirch, Academic Medicine . 80 (4):–51, 2005). This presentation is a SWOT analysis of the CASA organization and anatomical profession. Strengths include: we are experienced educators with common goals. Weaknesses and threats include: anatomist are losing their academic home departments and are confronted with new challenges as listed above. Opportunities include: increasing roles for CASA in identifying and mentoring the next generation of anatomy educators, providing guidelines for succeeding with AP&T, and providing additional education to people interested in the commercial anatomical exhibits.