48 - Perceptions of Tutors on a Medical Gross Anatomy Tutoring Program

Poster Board Number: 48
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Abstract Body : INTRODUCTION: There is abundant research on medical student peer-to-peer teaching, but there is little on a formalized tutoring program. The anatomy tutoring program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is a highly sought-after experience. While this is a popular program, it is important to understand how the students-as-tutors have utilized what they are learning in the tutoring program and how they can use it in their future careers as physicians. The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of a gross anatomy tutoring program that allows medical students to tutor first-year health professional students. METHODS: A survey was distributed to all current medical gross anatomy tutors. The survey included demographic questions and questions regarding former tutoring experience. Additionally, the survey asked a series of Likert scale questions to investigate the students’ opinions on the tutoring program, as well as their interest in teaching as part of their future career. RESULTS: Ten of fifteen (67%) of the tutors participated in the study. Respondents all agreed that they became more competent in their teaching skills, that their knowledge of anatomy had improved, and that they learned leadership skills (4.90, 4.90, and 4.70 on a 5-point Likert scale, respectively). Additionally, the respondents overall agreed that the tutoring program prepared them enough for the teaching demands of residency (4.50), and 90% of the respondents were interested in pursuing teaching as part of their future career. CONCLUSION: Gathering medical students tutors’ perceptions about the tutoring program is vital to see the impact the program has on the students, including understanding their intentions on teaching as part of the future profession. Future research in this area will focus on comparing these responses with former anatomy tutors who are current physicians, as well as conducting interviews with the participants.