PERCEPTION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS ARTIFICIAL BONES AND POP MODELS OF VISCERA

Background: In learning of anatomy, bones and viscera are very important. Now days, artificial bones are replacing the original bones for study purpose due to unavailability. Original viscera are available for students only at dissection hours. So we have tried to find out perception of medical students towards artificial bones and POP models of viscera. Materials and Methods: We had prepared a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions, 10 related to bones and 10 related to the POP models of viscera and asked 150 students of 1st year MBBS to answer it. Results: All the 150 students agreed that bones are necessary for study but only 36 students have bone set (14 original & 22 artificial). Maximum students get the bones only when made available from department. While 107 (71%) students said they would prefer original specimen of viscera, over POP models, for studying; but still 126 (84%) wanted to keep the POP models of viscera while studying its relations from text book. Conclusions: Good quality artificial bones should be promoted for students, if original bones are not available. It will be better than having nothing. POP models of viscera cannot replace original viscera but due to its handy quality will be helpful for understanding.