Cadaver and Computer Use in the Teaching of Gross Anatomy in Physical Therapy Education

The teaching of gross anatomy is an integral part of the physical therapy curriculum. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the trends and opinions associated with the use of cadavers and computers in teaching anatomy in physical therapist education programs. A two-page survey instrument was sent to the anatomy educators at each of the accredited physical therapy programs in the United States. The survey instrument contained questions regarding the utilization and opinions associated with the use of cadavers and computers in teaching anatomy. Of the responding programs, 89.2% utilized cadavers and 60.9% incorporated computers into the anatomy class. These results indicate that cadaver use has remained relatively constant since 1992, whereas computer use has increased. Overall, anatomy educators prefer the use of cadavers to computers when teaching anatomy.