“The impact of teaching-learning anatomy in the training and performance of medical doctors in Mozambique"
Date
2007-03-01T11:14:31Z
Authors
Rodrigues, Maria Alexandra Fernandes
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Abstract
The medical professional requires expertise in a wide range of disciplines as well as
competence encompassing knowledge, skills and attitudes. Of these, the knowledge and
skills gained in Anatomy play a fundamental role in contributing to the quality and
performance of the medical practitioner. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of the
teaching-learning Anatomy in the training of doctors at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in
Mozambique and therefore to contribute to the effectiveness of the medical curriculum to
ensure that it produces high quality medical professionals. The following questions were
addressed: i) Is the Anatomy course perceived by the students to be structured to address
their needs regarding medical practice? ii) Is there a relationship between performance in
Anatomy and other disciplines as recalled by the students? iii) Do medical students
demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of Anatomy in dealing with patients in practice? The
study involved the medical students in the clinical cycle and the junior doctors employed at
the Central Hospital of Maputo City. Data obtained by means of questionnaires, examination
of clinical reports and interviews was analysed statistically by the SPSS programme. The
results showed that overall the students have a positive view of how well the Anatomy
course meets their clinical needs, and that there is a direct relationship between knowledge of
Anatomy and the ability to perform in the clinical setting. There is however a need to review
the current medical curriculum in order to achieve better integration between the courses and
cycles and particularly to improve the efficacy of the teaching-learning process by selecting
the content more appropriately and adjusting the assessment procedures. From this study
recommendations may be made to help improve the students’ application of anatomical
knowledge by increasing vertical and horizontal integration in the curriculum and
introducing earlier exposure to clinical problem solving. Further studies are needed to better
understand the impact of assessing the outcomes of the basic sciences such as Anatomy on
the educational process as well as on medical practice.
Description
Student Number : 9713472V -
PhD thesis -
School of Anatomical Sciences -
Faculty of Health Sciences
Keywords
anatomy, teaching-learning, performance, medical doctors, medicine, Mozambican