As health science education becomes increasingly specialized, some courses have yet to be updated to fit the needs of all students studying today. One example is Anatomy & Physiology (A&P), which already has somewhat of a reputation for being a rather difficult course. However, there are additional challenges with A&P courses that end up failing to prepare all students planning to enter clinical fields that might be different from other students, fields like Kinesiology (KINE), Health and Human Performance (HHP), and Athletic Training Education (ATEP).
The main reason for this is that A&P courses are typically taught within biology departments. When this happens, these traditional A&P courses tend to focus heavily on theory and broad anatomical concepts but often lack the practical, musculoskeletal focus needed in applied health sciences.
The gap between the curriculum of traditional A&P courses and the expectations of students entering specific health science fields can leave those students struggling to retain the relevant knowledge needed to enter those specialized programs.
Caduceus bridges this divide by offering tailored A&P courses focused on functional musculoskeletal anatomy. Additionally, it provides a remediation environment for students who need to revisit and reinforce key concepts, ensuring they are better equipped for their professional careers.
Let’s find out more.
Addressing the Gaps in Traditional Anatomy Education
Many universities tend to place A&P courses under the jurisdiction of biology departments. Though this may not seem unusual to most educators, it’s more that we’ve gotten used to the status quo. The problem is, when A&P courses are taught here, the curriculum is more related to, well, biology. This means that it tends to leave out certain aspects of A&P that are necessary for students pursuing other, less common fields in the health sciences. For instance, these courses tend to lean more into cellular biology and general anatomy but may neglect to cover musculoskeletal anatomy, which is essential for students pursuing careers in Physical Therapy (PT) or Occupational Therapy (OT) as well.
The result is a major challenge for students and educators alike.
But, having this realization is the first step in addressing it with viable solutions, from more comprehensive curriculums to remediation programs.
The Impact on Students and Educators
Let’s dive a little deeper into how traditional A&P programs can negatively impact students who plan to pursue other fields in health science. The main concerns are:
- High failure rates, which can lead students to think twice about continuing their program. (And, this is also problematic for the university and how they perceive the educator.)
- Poor retention of key concepts; perhaps they pass the course, but it’s a struggle for them to recall information thereafter.
- Going off the above, these students may find it difficult to apply anatomy knowledge when they do enter their said fields.
The main point here is that students moving into programs like PT, OT, HHP, KINE, and ATEP (to name a few) often find themselves ill-equipped for the specific demands of their professions. Meanwhile, educators who are aware of this problem may struggle to help students bridge the knowledge gap. To do so, they’d need a tailored, effective solution that prepares ALL students.
What Department Should A&P Courses Fall Under?
So, if A&P courses don’t solely belong in biology departments, where should they be taught? Is there another solution altogether?
Rather than A&P courses being taught in one department versus another, they should ideally be placed under departments that emphasize clinical and functional anatomy. In some universities, this could very well still be a biology department, but at other times, it may require an integration of subject areas and departments. The goal here is that practical applications of anatomy are being taught in different contexts, aiming to cover aspects of A&P that might not be typically covered otherwise. Ultimately, it requires various approaches to get it right.
However, this is much easier said than done, and one of the best ways is through remediation.
The Need for Remediation Environments in Academia
Although we’d all like to see A&P courses improve and be adapted to different subject areas in order to support all students, it may be a long time before these vital courses are improved across all universities. There has to be a solution in the interim.
If A&P courses fail to catch up, then a remediation environment that allows students to revisit, relearn, and truly master essential anatomy concepts that are applicable to their future careers (whatever those may be) is one way to ensure all the bases are covered.
What exactly is remediation in this context? It could simply mean taking another A&P course outside of their traditional university setting that emphasizes focusing on the aspects of A&P they need for their future careers, for instance, functional anatomy and musculoskeletal systems.
Remediation typically includes:
- Reviewing and reinforcing challenging topics: Students can go over material they didn’t fully grasp during their initial course, so feel prepared to dive deeper and expand on each topic.
- Filling knowledge gaps: Bridging the gap between general A&P knowledge and the specific, practical skills needed in the clinical fields we mentioned.
- Building confidence: Through remediation, students can build a stronger foundation in anatomy, preparing them for advanced coursework and clinical practice with the confidence they need to think outside of the box.
Remediation options are also ideal for students who have entered fields that are generally more tied to traditional A&P courses but need some extra support. Essentially, remediation for traditional A&P courses is important for all students and educators.
This is where Caduceus steps in with a scalable, cost-effective solution that fits the needs of both struggling students and overburdened educators.
About Caduceus’ A&P Course: Why it Helps for A&P Remediation
Caduceus offers a unique online Human Anatomy and Physiology course that stands apart from traditional programs taught in universities around the country. Specifically designed for students not only pursuing ‘general’ health science careers but also more specialized ones, our course provides the foundational knowledge necessary for their future professions. Best of all, they can access this course online, suiting the unique needs of students who require or prefer distance learning.
Unique Highlights:
- Reduced attrition rates: Proven educational strategies have lowered student attrition in A&P overall.
- Diverse learning styles: Our course provides extensive and engaging multimedia resources, from interactive diagrams, recorded lectures, and thousands of digital flashcards that cater to various learning preferences.
- Flexible online access: Designed for convenience, Caduceus’ A&P course is accessible on multiple devices, allowing for self-paced learning anywhere, anytime.
- Practical assessments: Chapter reviews and online exams with supportive study guides help reinforce knowledge and prepare students for practical applications in their future careers.
How Educators Can Utilize Caduceus’ A&P Course to Support Students
In addition to students having access to a remediation course to help prepare them for their careers in specialized fields, educators also need to be equipped with the righ tools they need to support those students.
Here are some ways our course helps them achieve this:
1. Customizable Courses for Struggling Students
By providing self-paced learning and interactive modules, Caduceus makes it easier for students to revisit difficult concepts in more depth, ultimately preparing them for more advanced health science programs.
To start, educators can seamlessly integrate Caduceus into their curriculum as a supplemental system for students who may have retained little from their initial A&P courses. This means that if your university isn’t ready to improve a traditional A&P course or move it out of the biology department, you can still help them.
This remediation approach not only improves student outcomes but also helps institutions maintain higher pass rates and reduce course attrition.
2. Blended Learning and the Modern Approach to A&P
Caduceus also employs a blended learning model that combines online instruction with practical, ‘face-to-face’ learning. By offering 3D models, interactive assessments, and virtual labs, Caduceus enables students to better grasp complex concepts while reinforcing retention. Meanwhile, we provide resources for educators to utilize online forums, supplemental materials, and differentiation approaches to help ensure all students are successful.
3. Improving Retention Through Interactive Learning
Many universities using the Caduceus model have seen improvements in student retention and performance in A&P courses. By tying together the best of our solutions with the best of traditional A&P courses, Caduceus bridges the knowledge gap by helping educators help their students.
The Bottom Line
Caduceus is redefining A&P education for the modern health science student. By bridging the gap between traditional curriculum and the practical needs of specialized fields, our unique course empowers educators to lead their students to success in those fields. Whether it’s taught as a remediation option or integrated with your current A&P course material, it’s easy to teach a comprehensive A&P course that leads students to become physical therapists, athletic trainers, and more.
Contact us today to learn how you can utilize our modern A&P course!
