Condensing embryology teaching for medical students: can it be taught in 2 hours?

Figures & data

Figure 1 Student confidence scores before and after administration of the course.

Notes: (A) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “process of fertilization and implant” component before (pre) and after (post) the course. (B) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “development of placental support” component before and after the course. (C) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “somitogenesis” component before and after the course. (D) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “principles of organ formation” component before and after the course. (E) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “development of the neural system” component before and after the course. (F) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “development of the gastrointestinal system and lungs” component before and after the course. (G) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “development of the heart” component before and after the course. (H) Histogram depicting the distribution of student scores for the “congenital abnormalities” component before and after the course.

Abbreviation: GI, gastrointestinal.

Table 1 Results of student scoring for confidence with embryology modules before and after the course (UK, 2017)

Question	Precourse n=125		Postcourse n=145		Significantly different? (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test)
	Mean	Median	Mean	Median
1. Fertilization/implantation	2.88	3	4.32	4	Yes***
2. Early development/placental	2.23	2	4.04	4	Yes***
3. Somitogenesis	2.85	3	4.28	4	Yes***
4. Organ formation	2.78	3	4.39	4	Yes***
5. Neural system	2.64	3	4.13	4	Yes***
6. GI/lungs	2.90	3	4.40	4	Yes***
7. Heart	3.03	3	4.33	4	Yes***
8. Congenital defects	2.95	3	4.57	5	Yes***

Note:

*** p<0.001.

Abbreviation: GI, gastrointestinal.

Table 2 Proportion of students who score a 4 or above before and after the course (a score of 4 reflects confidence with the component; UK, 2017)

Question	Students scoring ≥4 (%)		Relative increase
	Precourse	Postcourse
1. Fertilization/implantation	33.6	93.8	2.8
2. Early development/placental	21.6	80.6	3.7
3. Somitogenesis	28.8	93.8	3.3
4. Organ formation	26.4	96.6	3.7
5. Neural system	25.6	83.4	3.3
6. GI/lungs	35.2	94.5	2.7
7. Heart	44.0	93.8	2.1
8. Congenital defects	40.8	97.9	2.4

Abbreviation: GI, gastrointestinal.

Table 3 Student scores for delivery of the course (UK, 2017)

Question	Postcourse n=145			Interpretation
	Mean	Median	Mode
1. Enjoyable?	4.45	4	4	Agree
2. Content appropriate?	4.37	5	5	Strongly agree
3. Relevant?	4.48	5	5	Strongly agree
4. Well structured?	4.56	5	5	Strongly agree
5. Well taught?	4.61	5	5	Strongly agree
6. High quality?	4.62	5	5	Strongly agree

Figure S1 Precourse questionnaire.

Figure S2 Postcourse questionnaire.