CASE DISCUSSIONS IN THE INTERNAL MEDICINE CLERKSHIP ENHANCED BY NOVEL 3-D VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTIONS OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Cristian Stefan¹*, Eric Alper^2,3, Charles Mayo², Anca M. Stefan¹, and Thomas J. FitzGerald², ¹Touro University College of Medicine, Hackensack NJ 07601, ²University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester MA 01655, and UpToDate, Waltham MA 02453, U.S.A.

PURPOSE: To increase the students’ exposure to radiological imaging during the Internal Medicine clerkship and help them gain a thorough understanding of in situ three-dimensional relations within the human body.

METHODS: As part of our innovative approach to incorporate the use of the Eclipse Treatment Planning System (Varian Medical Systems) into various educational settings and venues, we added a novel instructional component to one of the sessions conducted with third-year medical students during their internal medicine core clerkship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the academic year 2006-2007.  This pilot activity consisted of interactive case presentations and discussions enhanced by sectional images correlated with 3-D virtual reconstructions of anatomical structures based on real patients. 

RESULTS: This creative methodology was used to review the regional anatomy and facilitate the integration of key concepts related to the pathological processes, principles of physical examination, radiological imaging, and certain medical procedures.  It also stimulated the students’ interest and active participation in the session.  At the end of the session the participating students had the opportunity to voluntarily and anonymously complete a short questionnaire regarding the usefulness of this methodology.  The method was considered useful for the learning of anatomy, for reviewing the anatomy beyond the first-year, and for discussing clinical applications during the clerkships.     

CONCLUSION: New activities derived from our 3-D instructional methodology offer additional opportunities to discuss normal and pathological anatomy, seamlessly correlated with radiological imaging and applied to the clinical practice.