Anatomical knowledge retention in physiotherapy students: A preliminary assessment

Introduction: Anatomical knowledge and understanding are key components of physiotherapy education and practice. Traditionally, anatomy has been taught as a foundation stream within the first year(s) of physiotherapy education. This curricular model is based on the assumption that further learning in subsequent years builds upon the knowledge gained in the early stages of the program. However, the retention rate in all basic sciences has often been called into question. In anatomy, several studies suggest that anatomy knowledge endures considerable attrition, highlighting the need for the evaluation of retention rates. This paper aimed at making a preliminary assessment of the knowledge and retention of anatomy among physiotherapy students. Materials and Methods: We used a carpal bone identification test and assessed 129 first year and 113 fourth year physiotherapy students. Results: 20% of the students managed to identify all bones while 47% were able to identify more than five bones. The best recognised bones were pisiform and scaphoid while the most difficult to identify were trapezium and trapezoid. Conclusion: Overall, first year students performed better than their fourth year counterparts which suggested attrition of anatomical knowledge. Educational strategies based on revision, integration and clinical application of anatomy could contribute towards the decrease of attrition of anatomical knowledge

Assessment and modelling of chiropractic and allied healthcare in Australia: Background and need for a formal investigation

There is need for a detailed investigation on the availability and impact of chiropractic and allied healthcare services, on healthcare choice and healthcare costs, as well as the delivery and spatial distribution of chiropractors in Australia. The goal of this paper is to discuss the background and to propose our intent to conduct an interdisciplinary assessment and modelling of the determinant factors of adoption of healthcare choices in Australia. Due to the highly complex nature of selecting a healthcare choice amongst available alternatives in today's world, it has been decided to design a research project using a new and innovative approach to the study of knowledge and knowledge systems in a social group. It was determined that the theory base of social interpretation of knowledge and knowledge implementation and change will drive this study. the study design will entail mixed methods including surveys, extensive document review, and a series of interviews of key stakeholders in the allied health professions within Australia. Studies such as this have potential to guide the planning process for federal and state governance bodies in chiropractic, in facilitating consumer choice between alternatives in healthcare. the knowledge gained through this study can drive healthcare change into the 21st century with chiropractic as a potential change agent

Demographic characteristics and perceptions of supply and demand of chiropractic services in Australia: Results from stage 1 of the work force study survey

Objectives: The aim of this report is to describe the demographic characteristics including the age profile, gender differences, income and perceptions of supply and demand of the chiropractic profession in Australia. This workforce study (WFS) was divided into three components, Australian Chiropractors (Stage 1), their patients (Stage 2), and members of the general public (Stage 3). Methods: A web-based, 64-item, cross-sectional survey questionnaire was issued to registered chiropractors (CAA and non-CAA members) throughout Australia in 2010. At the time of the survey there were 3,892 registered chiropractors. Survey invitations were sent to those who were registered chiropractors, and had provided email addresses (n=1,917). Results: Demographic Characteristics: There is evidence to suggest that the profession may be becoming increasingly female over time. Income exclusively from chiropractic care included 27.9% who reported an annual pre-tax net income of $115,000 or less and 32.3$115,000. Of the latter group, 12% indicated that they were earning more than $215,000. Income was not related to the hours worked per week particularly for males. Supply and Demand: When considering their home state and their local region, more chiropractors thought that there was undersupply in their state, but an adequate supply in their local region. A large proportion (40%) of the sample felt that universities in Australia were graduating the correct number of chiropractors per year, and 32% reported that too many were being produced in Australia. Very few reported that the Universities were not graduating enough chiropractors. Conclusion: This paper reflects some of the findings from Stage 1 of the three stage Workforce study, showing a profession heading towards a more even gender balance and characterised by a higher than average annual income. Future research should include the impact on supply and demand of the possibility of an increasingly female profession. In addition to this, although there is a perception that there is under-utilisation of chiropractic services in inland, rural and remote areas, the extent of which should be further explored. Information from this study will assist with strategic decision making and planning. A strategic framework for the profession should not only consider the findings from this study but also explore other factors that may have an impact on supply and demand, for example general trends in health and aging from local and national government reports

Ferroelectricity and resistive switching in BaTiO3_3 thin films with liquid electrolyte top contact for bioelectronic devices

We investigate ferroelectric- and resistive switching behavior in 18-nm-thick epitaxial BaTiO$_3$ (BTO) films in a model electrolyte-ferroelectric-semiconductor (EFS) configuration. The system is explored for its potential as a ferroelectric microelectrode in bioelectronics. The BTO films are grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on semiconducting Nb-doped (0.5 wt\%) SrTiO$_{3}$ (Nb:STO) single crystal substrates. The ferroelectric properties of the bare BTO films are demonstrated by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) measurements. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in EFS configuration, with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) acting as the liquid electrolyte top contact, indicate characteristic ferroelectric switching peaks in the bipolar current-voltage loop. The ferroelectric nature of the observed switching peaks is confirmed by analyzing the current response of the EFS devices to unipolar voltage signals. Moreover, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements indicate bipolar resisitive switching behavior of the EFS devices, which is controlled by the remanent polarization state of the BTO layer. Our results represent a constitutive step towards the realization of neuroprosthetic implants and hybrid neurocomputational systems based on ferroelectric microelectrodes

Using anatomy education to develop the research skills of chiropractic students : a brief report

Anatomy is one of the core pre-clinical subjects in the education of chiropractic students. In this paper, we argue that the subject of anatomy, apart from its main purpose of teaching students about the structures of the human body within the clinical context, can be utilized in the advancement of a number of other capabilities. One capabilityincludes the development of research skills for chiropractic students. We present two activities devised to contribute towards the development of students' research skills. One activity is for first year students and another for final year students. The first year studentactivity involves using osteometric instruments to take measurements between standard landmarks on bones in the osteological collection of Macquarie University's Chiropractic Department. The activity for final year students involves identification and analysis of pathological conditions in the osteological collection. The Chiropractic health profession is quickly moving towards evidence-based practice. The basic research skills taught by these exercises are essential as a foundation for developing more complex competencies ranging from the usage of complex clinical/research apparatuses and tools to assessing evidence in existing research. The activities we propose are easy to implement, time efficientand can be applied with a minimum of financial cost. These exercises enable students to learn difficult anatomical material while applying it within a clinical context, improving critical thinking and developing research skills

3D Printed Osteological Collection and its Role in Health Professions Education: A Case Report from Macquarie University, Sydney

3D printing is one of the technological advancements that has application in health sciences education. At Macquarie University it has been used for the printing of bones which are then utilized in teaching anatomy. Assessment of accuracy suggest that these prints are accurate copies of the real bones. As such, 3D prints preserve anatomical variation and pathologies, rarely present in commercially produced anatomical models. The bone collection is currently being enlarged and it is planned that the soft tissue and microscopic structures will be printed soon. It is also envisaged that 3D prints will be used in subjects other than anatomy

Attitudes of Australian chiropractic students toward whole body donation : a cross-sectional study

Cadavers play an important role in anatomy education. In Australia, bodies for anatomy education are acquired only through donations. To gain insight into educational dynamics in an anatomy laboratory as well as to facilitate body donation programs and thanksgiving ceremonies, it is important to understand students’ attitudes toward body donation. In this cross-sectional study, the attitudes of Macquarie University’s first, second, and fifth year chiropractic students toward body donation were investigated. Macquarie University chiropractic students have a four semester long anatomy program, which includes cadaver-based instruction on prosected specimens. A questionnaire was used to record respondents’ demographics and attitudes toward body donation: personal, by a relative, and by a stranger. It was found that ethnicity and religion affect attitudes toward body donation, with Australian students being more willing to donate a stranger’s body and atheists and agnostics being more willing to donate in general. Furthermore, willingness to donate one’s own or a family member’s body decreases as year of study increases, suggesting a possible negative impact of exposure to cadavers in the anatomy laboratory. This was only true, however, after controlling for age. Thus, the impact of viewing and handling prosected specimens, which is the norm in anatomy classes in Australia, may not be as strong as dissecting cadavers. It is suggested that anatomists and educators prepare students for cadaver based instruction as well as exhibit sensitivity to cultural differences in how students approach working with cadavers, when informing different communities about body donation programs and in devising thanksgiving ceremonies

Forced disruption of anatomy education in Australia and New Zealand: An acute response to the Covid-19 Pandemic

Australian and New Zealand universities commenced a new academic year in February/March 2020 largely with "business as usual." The subsequent Covid-19 pandemic imposed unexpected disruptions to anatomical educational practice. Rapid change occurred due to government-imposed physical distancing regulations from March 2020 that increasingly restricted anatomy laboratory teaching practices. Anatomy educators in both these countries were mobilized to adjust their teaching approaches. This study on anatomy education disruption at pandemic onset within Australia and New Zealand adopts a social constructivist lens. The research question was "What are the perceived disruptions and changes made to anatomy education in Australia and New Zealand during the initial period of the Covid-19 pandemic, as reflected on by anatomy educators?." Thematic analysis to elucidate "the what and why" of anatomy education was applied to these reflections. About 18 anatomy academics from ten institutions participated in this exercise. The analysis revealed loss of integrated "hands-on" experiences, and impacts on workload, traditional roles, students, pedagogy, and anatomists' personal educational philosophies. The key opportunities recognized for anatomy education included: enabling synchronous teaching across remote sites, expanding offerings into the remote learning space, and embracing new pedagogies. In managing anatomy education's transition in response to the pandemic, six critical elements were identified: community care, clear communications, clarified expectations, constructive alignment, community of practice, ability to compromise, and adapt and continuity planning. There is no doubt that anatomy education has stepped into a yet unknown future in the island countries of Australia and New Zealand