Medical Students’ Perceptions of Anatomy Education: A Comparison of BMAS and CCMAS Cohorts in a Nigerian University.

Author's Information:

Dr. Osahenrhumwen Adagbonyin*

Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Wellspring University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Victor Uwuagbor

Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Dr. Emmanuel Osemeike Bienonwu

Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Sophia Osayiemenre Woghiren

Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Vol 03 No 09 (2026):Volume 03 Issue 09 September 2026

Page No.: 438-445

Abstract:

Background: Anatomy education is of huge importance crucial in medical training, and evaluating students' perceptions of teaching methods, assessment approaches, and resource availability is crucial for improving the quality of education. 

Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional design to gather data from 172 medical students (89 at 200-level -the CCMAS group  and 83 at 400-level- the BMAS group) at a Nigerian University. Structured questionnaire were used to collect data on students' perceptions of anatomy education.

Results: The results show students  from both the CCMAS participants and the BMAS participants   view teaching methods (mean scores4.11 and 3.83) as well as a combination of assessment methods (mean scores 3.82 and 3.95) as effective. Availability of resource/learning materials got a neutral decision from both groups (mean scores3.38 and 3.21 respectively). Additionally, both groups ranked  overcrowded classes and access to cadaver as their top challenges.

Conclusion: While highlighting the importance of practical classes, cadaver access, and  a combination of assessment methods, findings also show that there is no significant difference in the Cohorts percepotions of Anatomy education. The change of Curriculum has not brought about significant change in perceptions yet.

KeyWords:

Perception, Anatomy education, Medical students, Curriculum, BMAS, CCMAS.

References:

  1. Chapman, S.J., Hakeem, A. R., Marangoni, G., & Prasad, K. R. (2019). Perception of undergraduate medical students. Department of HPM and Transplant Surgery, St James’s University Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
  2. Chia, T., & Oyeniran, O.I. (2019). Anatomy education in Nigeria: Challenges and prosects.
  3. Drake, R. L., McBride, J. M., & Lachman, N. (2014). Why dissection? Journal of the American Medical Association, 312(6), 571-572.
  4. Drake, R. L., McBride, J. M., Lachman, N., & Pawlina, W. (2009). Medical education in the anatomical sciences: The winds of change continue to blow. Anatomical Sciences Education, 2(6), 253-259.
  5. Drake, R. L., McBride, J. M., & Pawlina, W. (2014). Gray’s anatomy for students (3rd ed.). Elsevier.
  6. Latiff, A. A., Kamarzaman, S., Manan, N.A., Rampal, K. G., Muniandy, B.K. (2019). Students perception on anatomy education in cyberjaya University College of medical sciences, Malaysia.
  7. Moore, K. L., & Dalley, A. F. (2006). Clinically oriented anatomy (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  8. Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  9. Moxham, B. J., Plaisant, O., & Smith, C. F. (2016). From theory to practice: The role of anatomy in clinical medicine. Journal of Anatomy, 229(1), 3-11.
  10. Musa, A. A., Zagga, A. D., & Bello, R. (2023). Anatomy education in Nigeria: The viewpoints of medical students. 
  11. Netter, F. H. (2019). Atlas of human anatomy (7th ed.). Elsevier.
  12. Owolabi, J., Faviyi, O. S., Ogunbiyi, O.E., & Ayorinde, F. O. (2020). Anatomy education in Nigeria: An empirical study of students’ knowledge and perceptions on training and prosects towards meeting the country’s need.
  13. Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Oxford dictionary of English (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  14. Parker, L. M. (2002). Anatomical dissection: A vanishing art? Medical Journal of Australia, 177(6), 328-330.
  15. Smite, J., Johnson, K.,& Williams, P. (2019). The Importance of anatomy education in medical training: A review. Medical Teacher, 41(1), 10-18.
  16. Tayyem, R., Qandeel, H., Qsous, G., Badran, D.,&Bani-Hani,K.(2019).Medical students’ perception of current undergraduate anatomy teaching. international journal of morphology,37(3),829.