An introduction to anatomy and physiology (how body systems function) is foundational knowledge for many health careers. For decades, students dissected and studied bodies donated for that purpose.
But that was then, and this — a virtual cadaver table — is now.
Anatomage, a Santa Clara, Calif. company, began developing these educational devices in 2010. The tables are about the size of life-size cadaver containers and feature touch-sensitive screens that can show bodies from skin to skeleton near-instantly at the learner’s discretion.
The company, in conjunction with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine, hosted the first state anatomy and physiology knowledge competition for high schoolers at the medical school Tuesday. More than 160 students with an interest in health care professions signed up to be there.
Similar competitions started elsewhere in the country in 2017 and now cover almost every state, said Jake Lehman, Anatomage marketing manager. Teams from 43 Hawai’i public schools participated this year.
Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Green were in attendance. Green, an emergency medicine physician, recalled his introduction to a cadaver lab when metal partial dentures caused sparks as a saw was used, lighting a ceiling on fire. He spent several minutes marveling at a virtual table with medical school Dean Dr. Sam Shomaker and Associate Director of Admissions Dr. Jaimie Tom.
Before the actual competition, students rotated in groups to different teaching stations. They practiced obtaining a patient’s history and performing focused physical exams, and they got an introduction to using a bedside ultrasound. They also learned how to establish an airway using a breathing tube and how to properly use a bag-valve-mask device to ventilate patients.
In the competition, participants navigated the virtual cadavers to identify bodily structures, answer clinical questions and interpret the meaning of variations on anatomy.
The competition featured five rounds of questions, ending with head-to-head one-and-done battles. Teams that lost in early rounds were able to compete for prizes in consolation rounds.
Kalaheo High School took top honors, and Pearl City High School was runner-up. Both will represent Hawai’i at the Anatomage national championship from May 29-30.
Civil Beat’s education reporting is supported by a grant from Chamberlin Family Philanthropy.
