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ERIC Number: EJ1465454
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-9772
EISSN: EISSN-1935-9780
Available Date: 2025-03-24
Combining Physical Therapy and Anatomy Education in a High School Anatomy Outreach Program in Central Arkansas
Lara Davis1; Ciana Diaz1; Kyler Hulsey1; Kaylee Miller1; Jaqueline Mondragon1
Anatomical Sciences Education, v18 n4 p406-414 2025
Student participation in interactive outreach programs focusing on anatomy has been shown to have a positive impact on learning and healthcare career aspirations. This article describes the Anatomy Outreach Program held at the Physical Therapy Center and Gross Anatomy Lab on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Physical therapy (PT) students demonstrated PT skills and led hands-on activities in the gross anatomy lab using donor specimens and models. Hands-on physical therapy-based activities involved wheelchairs and cushions, assistive devices, goniometry and reflex testing, grip strength testing, and lines and tubes in the acute care setting. Before anatomy-based activities, learners were educated about the significance of donors' choice for donating their tissues and respect shown to donors. Learners participated in anatomy stations consisting of hands-on activities with anatomical specimens and models of heart and lungs, brain and spinal cord anatomy, bones and radiographs, and upper and lower extremity anatomy. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were performed on post-tour survey data. After the program, 59% (32/54) of high school learners rate their interest in pursuing a career in healthcare as 10/10. The three biggest takeaways participants took from the program were developing an appreciation for the gross anatomy lab and anatomy education, learning and appreciating the field of PT, and affirming interests in healthcare. High school learners' favorite experiences were in the gross anatomy lab, talking with PT students about the profession, and the goniometer and grip strength activities. One hundred percent (54/54) of survey participants agreed that the program provided them with valuable information.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arkansas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, USA