Evaluation of a Computer-Based Program for Teaching Cardiac Anatomy

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors determined to what extent a computer-based program could enhance or substitute for cadaver dissection in teaching cardiac anatomy to first-year medical students. METHODS: First-year medical students (n = 175) were randomized into four groups. Group 1 (control) received no instruction, group 2 participated in cardiac dissection, group 3 viewed the computer application, and group 4 performed cardiac dissection and then viewed the computer application. Each group was tested with 10 ultrafast computed tomographic static images and 8 cardiac cadaver specimens. RESULTS: The computer program plus dissection was superior to either the computer program alone or dissection alone; however, the results varied according to the subtest used to assess the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac computer instruction after dissection resulted in dramatically improved image testing performance. However, computer instruction should not replace dissection for teaching cardiac anatomy.