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Anatomy of human life (AHL): from conception to farewell ‐ A new four year integrated program
Author(s) -
Gan Patrick John,
Metzger Keith A,
Moser Eileen M,
StagnaroGreen Alex S,
Wallach Paul M
Publication year - 2008
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.22.2_supplement.2
Subject(s) - anatomy , curriculum , gross anatomy , medical education , physiology , medicine , psychology , pedagogy
Anatomy is traditionally taught as an isolated course over one semester. As a new medical school, TouroMed offers a unique curriculum in which there are no formal basic science courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, or immunology. Instead, basic sciences are integrated with the clinical sciences and taught over 3 years in a systems‐based approach. AHL is a longitudinal anatomy program that provides a sustained exposure to establish a broad foundation for understanding human anatomy. Anatomy is briefly introduced in the first year “Foundations of Medical Science” course, where students learn core principles of the basic sciences, serving as a foundation for future topics presented in systems‐based courses. Subsequently, detailed anatomy topics of thorax, lungs and heart are contained in the first year “Cardiorespiratory” course; abdomen in the second year “Gastroenterology” course; procedural anatomy such as bronchoscopy and thoracentesis in the third year “Internal Medicine” course and so on. These integrated and graded approaches help learners to build upon basic knowledge, cultivate comprehension and retention and to progress from recall to application. We posit that continued exposure of students to anatomy that advances as it integrates interdisciplinary basic science and clinical topics will inspire the learner and augment comprehension and retention.