143 - Clarifying Laryngeal Complexity by Correlating Cadaveric Anatomy with Endoscopic Function

Poster Board Number: 143
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Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Co-authors:

Elizabeth Matthews - Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Jailenne Quinones - Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Mario Loomis - Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Abstract Body : Introduction & Objective

Laryngeal anatomy is often a very challenging topic for medical students. Medical students have found interactive multimedia learning materials easier to understand and report a higher satisfaction rate with them, but there is limited conclusive evidence of significant gain in comprehension gain from these modalities. We hypothesized that a novel educational module correlating cadaveric dissections with live endoscopy and fluoroscopy would improve student comprehension of laryngeal anatomy.



Materials & Methods

A series of interactive videos were created, focused on foundational concepts underlying airway protection. The actions of epiglottic inversion, laryngeal elevation, and closing of the vocal cords were illustrated with cadaveric simulation, endoscopic visualization, and fluoroscopy. The videos were the basis of a novel interactive module designed to facilitate the learning laryngeal anatomy by visualizing its function. Students were randomly assigned to two cohorts within a class of 160, with 17 students agreeing to participate in the novel module and 27 in a control module. Both modules were carried out individually online. The control module covered the same material, including clinical correlations, but in a purely didactic format. Timed pre and post-tests were taken by all the students, consisting of high order questions. The average amount of improvement from pre to post-test was compared between the two cohorts.



Results

A comparison of the average pre and post-testing results of students using the novel module demonstrated a significant (p< 0.0115) improvement of 22.34 percentage points. The same comparison in the control cohort demonstrated an improvement of 10.38 percentage points (p< 0.0238).



Conclusion

A novel online laryngeal anatomy module juxtaposing cadaveric anatomy with endoscopic and fluoroscopic visualization led to an average improvement between pre and post-test results of 22.34 percentage points versus 10.38 in a control didactic module.



Significance/Implication

A novel educational module was built to facilitate the learning of complex laryngeal anatomy. In this interactive online module, student understanding was increased by juxtaposing endoscopic and fluoroscopic visualization of laryngeal function with cadaveric dissections. Students expressed appreciation for how the novel module helped them visualize the action of laryngeal muscles, and having questions interspersed between the videos kept them engaged. They also appreciated going at their own pace, unlike in-class or small-group discussions where questions are often answered before every student understands. Future work will address long-term retention of understanding beyond pre and post-testing.

Funding Sources

None.