Effectiveness of a digital education methodology in the teaching of anatomy and physiology: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Teaching anatomy within technical health education programs involves numerous difficulties, especially in fostering spatial awareness, recognizing anatomical structures, and translating theoretical knowledge into practice. This research investigates the effectiveness of digital educational tools—specifically the Atlas 3 platform—in enhancing hands-on anatomical learning for students enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician course. A quasi-experimental approach was adopted, involving a sample of 23 students. Two assessment tools were administered to evaluate anatomical comprehension and familiarity with digital resources. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, with a focus on the paired samples t-test. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ performance after engaging with Atlas 3: anatomy knowledge scores rose from 6.4 to 7.7, and proficiency in using digital tools increased from 5.5 to 8.2. Statistical analysis confirmed these differences as significant (p = 0.019). Overall, incorporating digital platforms like Atlas 3 into anatomy instruction proves to be a valuable teaching method, enriching student learning and supporting skill development in technical healthcare training environments.