Anatomy Models vs Digital Learning

Can you really learn anatomy without ever touching a human body?

Technology has changed the way we learn. With virtual simulations, 3D models, and online courses, studying is more flexible and convenient than ever. But when it comes to medical training, is digital learning enough? Can a screen replace the experience of feeling the weight of a bone, tracing the structure of a muscle, or manipulating a joint?

Turns out, this debate isn’t new. Even Michelangelo, centuries before the internet, understood that true mastery of anatomy required hands-on experience. And for today’s medical students and professionals, the same principle still holds true.

The benefits of digital learning

There are many applications for digital tools in learning about healthcare. Executing treatments virtually or rotating and viewing digitally enhanced models have their place in healthcare education. Digital learning can make it easy to add new information or delete outdated information.

Students often prefer digital learning because of the flexibility to study wherever they are and at their own pace. The most-used types of technology for teaching medical students' anatomy are as follows:

1. Online learning
2. Videos
3. Simulation
4. Ultrasound
5. Computer assisted learning
6. Augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality and 3D printing tools
7. Audience response systems 

Reduced teaching hours and limited cadaver availability are two examples of reasons why digital learning can be a valuable supplement. Another is that you can be sure the students across the country are getting consistent anatomical education, not dependent on the whims of professors.

In fact, the best approach might often be a combination of physical and digital.

Hey, it worked for Michelangelo!

One of the pre-eminent artists of the 16^th century, Michelangelo was well known for his beautiful depictions of the human body, which he gained by making deals with physicians and other hospital workers to take ownership of and dissect cadavers. He was on a mission to understand all aspects of internal structure including bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. He also studied the movement of muscle and bone in order to make his art appear lifelike, reflecting the true human body. He didn’t stop at humans, though. Michelangelo frequently dissected animals, especially horses, for the same reason: to understand anatomy as best he could to enhance his art. Today, scholars agree that his depictions of the human form are remarkably accurate.

While it would seem much easier for Michelangelo to consult a surgeon of the time and request anatomical lessons, he knew that there was no substitute for seeing, feeling, holding, weighing, and manipulating the real thing.

So, what is the best way to learn anatomy: digital or analog?

Despite the many pros of switching to digital learning in a medical school environment, in actuality many educational institutions still rely primarily on traditional methods of teaching anatomy. When surveyed, students reported that they felt hands-on learning could not be replicated and digital education was best utilized as a supplement.

One benefit of practicing using physical simulators is that students can manipulate the body parts of the model in a way that moves realistically and feels lifelike. For spatial learners, this kind of learning is invaluable – a computer screen may not provide them with an experience that they will fully comprehend.

In addition, studies have shown that doing an action physically – rather than reading about it – increases muscle memory: according to Merriam-Webster, this refers to “the ability to repeat a specific muscular movement with improved efficiency and accuracy that is acquired through practice and repetition.”

Physical interaction with a healthcare model is also likely to result in engagement and excitement and more attention being paid; the passiveness of sitting in front of a computer screen watching others demonstrate or explain anatomical lessons can lead more easily to boredom or distraction.

Some med students are made physically ill by the smell of a cadaver. Michelangelo unfortunately did not have a better option (he reported being nauseous and unable to eat during his dissection era) but today’s anatomical learners do.

Physical models like the ones we carry at Anatomy Warehouse have many advantages. They are durable and can be used for student after student, year after year. The reason doctors use models in their office to talk to clients is that patients gain a deeper understanding that comes with seeing a model of the joint, organ, muscle, etc. It can make a complex diagnosis or various treatment explanations clearer and more concise, allowing patients to take a more active role in their own medical care.

When it comes to digital vs. analog? Best to have a blend.

Our models, simulators and manikins serve the hands-on learning community in a format digital cannot (yet!) duplicate. The value of purchasing and using these products lies in the enhanced understanding and realistic training that they provide. Students and teachers alike appear to agree that while digital education certainly has its place in supplemental learning, it cannot surpass the advantages of physical simulated training.

At Anatomy Warehouse, we know there’s no substitute for hands-on learning. Whether you’re a doctor explaining a diagnosis, a hospital trainer teaching new skills, or a teacher helping students grasp complex concepts, having something real to hold and explore makes all the difference. Digital tools are helpful, but nothing beats the experience of learning with physical models that bring anatomy to life.

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