gms | German Medical Science

A modern medical education demands a direct transfer of preclinical learning objectives and clinical practice. Anatomists habe to mediate not only the practical relevance of anatomical knowledge but also social competence as a part of medical professionalism.

The Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology of Ulm University presents an anatomical learning concept based on a two year long and clinically orientatetd learning spiral. Learning contents are repeated but increase in complexity. According to the students level of knowledge curricular teaching units are supplemented bay extracurricular courses. Anatomical teaching objectives are related to their clinical context and students participate actively in a clincal setting. Founded bay student fees a unique Theatrum anatomicum - in the style of ancient Theatrum anatomicum - was built at Ulm University. In simulated operating settings student in their preclinical education are allowed to take part in invasive procedures performed on body donors. Clinical colleagues act like mentors and encourage students in developing their role as mdeical prefssionals. These procedures plus a surgical scrub course are imbedded in the gross anatomy courese. In addition voluntary courses like Anatomie im Bild (AIB) and "Dr House revisited" are based on this preclinical-clinical interlocking and motivate students to learn anatomical knowledge because of its clinical relevance. The presented teaching concept lead to an improved teaching climate, extraordinarily good student acceptance and better exam results. In November 2008 this teaching concept was gratified with the Landeslehrpreis of Baden-Württemberg.