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Anatomy, medical education, and human ancestral variation
Article first published online: 21 OCT 2011
DOI: 10.1002/ase.258
Copyright © 2011 American Association of Anatomists
Additional Information
How to Cite
Štrkalj, G., Spocter, M. A. and Wilkinson, A. T. (2011), Anatomy, medical education, and human ancestral variation. Anat Sci Ed, 4: 362–365. doi: 10.1002/ase.258
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 NOV 2011
- Article first published online: 21 OCT 2011
- Manuscript Accepted: 25 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 23 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Received: 28 JUL 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- gross anatomy education;
- medical education;
- health care education;
- human variation;
- race;
- anthropology
Abstract
It is argued in this article that the human body both in health and disease cannot be fully understood without adequately accounting for the different levels of human variation. The article focuses on variation due to ancestry, arguing that the inclusion of information pertaining to ancestry in human anatomy teaching materials and courses should be carried out and implemented with care and in line with latest developments in biological anthropology and related sciences. This seems to be of particular importance in the education of health professionals, as recent research suggests that better knowledge of human variation can improve clinical skills. It is also argued that relatively small curricular changes relating to the teaching of human variation can produce significant educational gains. Anat Sci Educ. © 2011 American Association of Anatomists.