Relationship between spatial abilities and three‐dimensional synthesis of structures

Objective The mental image of a three‐dimensional anatomical structure is a prerequisite to the performance in technical skills. The objective was to assess the relationship of spatial abilities to three‐dimensional synthesis of two‐dimensional views of structures using drawings. Methods Fourth‐year medical students (n = 49) were recruited in a prospective study. Spatial abilities were measured with a redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Test in two (MRTA) and three (MRTC) dimensions and the Surface Development Test (SDT). As part of a drawing course, participants had to build structures of increasing complexity from simple parts using two‐dimensional views of structures and then to draw isometric views of structures. The accuracy of the drawings was assessed as right or wrong. The maximum score was 24 for MRTA and MRTC, 60 for SDT and 25 for the drawings. The results were expressed as means ± standard deviation and the Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare the drawing score to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores. Results The drawing score (14.6 ± 3.7) was related to MRTA (13.5 ± 5.2), MRTC (9.7 ± 4.5) and SDT (43.4 ± 10.0) scores; with a correlation of 0.3728 (p = 0.0083), 0.4248 (p = 0.0023) and 0.5420 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusion Spatial abilities were related to three‐dimensional synthesis of two‐dimensional views of structures using drawings. This study was supported by an internal grant from the Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.