Impact of Anatomical Research Projects for Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Academic and Professional Skills, Clinical Aspirations and Appreciation of Anatomy

In the third year of pre-clinical medicine (known as Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos at the University of Cambridge), students have the opportunity to lead a primary research project on clinically relevant anatomy, often involving donor dissection. This descriptive study used a cross-sectional survey to explore the effects of undertaking an anatomical research project on students' attitudes, interests, and a variety of academic and professional skills. Of 45 students who were invited to participate in this study, 40 responded. Of these, 30 students (75%) had performed cadaveric dissection. Projects increased students' interests in academic careers (36% or 90% agreed/strongly agreed) and scientific inquiry, with 30 students (75%) undertaking subsequent research. Many students (30/40; 75%) strongly agreed their projects highlighted the importance of considering the scientific literature when providing patient care. Most (39/40; 97.5%) felt that there was scope for further anatomical research to appreciate and explore anatomical variation. Many students (32/40; 80%) strongly agreed that projects improved their self-directed learning skills. Inductive thematic analysis of free-text answers identified themes of improved academic, practical, and professional skills such as negotiation, responding to questions, presenting at conferences, and liaising with experts and non-experts. These results suggest that anatomical primary research through this program effectively fosters academic aptitude and interest, as well as the practical and professional skills necessary to thrive in academia and clinical medicine. Aspirations for a surgical career were strengthened and valuable anatomical context was provided.