A slide into obscurity? The current state of histology education in Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand medical curricula in 2022-2023.

Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (AANZ) medical schools have been impacted by curricular changes and the introduction of virtual microscopy (VM). No survey has explicitly described the outcome of these events on histology education in AANZ. This study provides a cross-sectional overview of histology education in accredited medical schools across AANZ in 2022-2023.

Teaching Cellular Architecture: The Global Status of Histology Education.

Histology or microanatomy is the science of the structure and function of tissues and organs in metazoic organisms at the cellular level. By definition, histology is dependent on a variety of microscope techniques, usually light or more recently virtual, as well as electron microscopy. Since its inception more than two centuries ago, histology has been an integral component of biomedical education, specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary students.

Technology enhanced neuroanatomy teaching techniques: A focused BEME systematic review of current evidence: BEME Guide No. 75.

Background: In response to growing curriculum pressures and reduced time dedicated to teaching anatomy, research has been conducted into developing innovative teaching techniques. This raises important questions for neuroanatomy education regarding which teaching techniques are most beneficial for knowledge acquisition and long-term retention, and how they are best implemented. This focused systematic review aims to provide a review of technology-enhanced teaching methods available to neuroanatomy educators, particularly in knowledge acquisition and long-term retention, compared to traditional didactic techniques, and proposes reasons for why they work in some contexts.

NOMENs land: The place of eponyms in the anatomy classroom.

The law of Non-Original Malappropriate Eponymous Nomenclature (NOMEN) states that no phenomenon is named after its discoverer. However, eponymous terms are rife in the anatomical and medical literature. In this viewpoint commentary, the authors discuss the history of anatomical eponyms, explain the additional cognitive load imposed by eponyms that can negatively impact student learning and explore the view that eponyms are "pale, male and stale" in the socially conscious 21st century.

Implementation of a volunteer contact tracing program for COVID-19 in the United States: A qualitative focus group study.

Background: Contact tracing is an important tool for suppressing COVID-19 but has been difficult to adapt to the conditions of a public health emergency. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of volunteer contact tracers in order to identify facilitators, challenges, and novel solutions for implementing COVID-19 contact tracing.

Methods: As part of a study to evaluate an emergently established volunteer contact tracing program for COVID-19 in New Haven, Connecticut, April-June 2020, we conducted focus groups with 36 volunteer contact tracers, thematically analyzed the data, and synthesized the findings using the RE-AIM implementation framework.

Evaluating the Quality of Tuberculosis Contact Investigation in Cali, Colombia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) contact investigation facilitates earlier TB diagnosis and initiation of preventive therapy, but little data exist about the quality of its implementation. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate processes of TB contact investigation for index TB patients diagnosed in Cali, Colombia, in 2017, including dropout at each stage and overall yield. We constructed multivariable models to identify predictors of completing 1) the baseline household visit and 2) a follow-up clinic visit for TB evaluation among referred contacts.

Neuroanatomy Teaching in Australian and New Zealand Medical Schools.

Background: Graduate doctors' knowledge of central and peripheral nervous system anatomy is below an acceptable level. New technologies have been introduced to enhance education in the context of integrated curricula and reduced anatomy teaching hours in medical schools. However, it is unknown how varied this instruction has become between universities.

C-Reactive Protein Testing for Active Tuberculosis among Inpatients without HIV in Uganda: a Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

The objective of this prospective cross-sectional study, conducted at a national referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda, was to determine diagnostic performance of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as a triage test for tuberculosis (TB) among HIV-seronegative inpatients. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and positive and negative predictive values to determine the diagnostic performance of a CRP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Eurolyser) in comparison to that of a reference standard of culture on two sputum samples. We constructed receiver operating curves and reported performance in reference to the manufacturer's cutoff and also to a threshold chosen to achieve sensitivity of >90%, in accordance with the WHO's target-product profile for a triage test.

Implementing mHealth Interventions in a Resource-Constrained Setting: Case Study From Uganda.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are becoming more common in low-income countries. Existing research often overlooks implementation challenges associated with the design and technology requirements of mHealth interventions.

Objective: We aimed to characterize the challenges that we encountered in the implementation of a complex mHealth intervention in Uganda.

Forced Disruption of Anatomy Education in Australia and New Zealand: An Acute Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Australian and New Zealand universities commenced a new academic year in February/March 2020 largely with "business as usual." The subsequent Covid-19 pandemic imposed unexpected disruptions to anatomical educational practice. Rapid change occurred due to government-imposed physical distancing regulations from March 2020 that increasingly restricted anatomy laboratory teaching practices.

Experiences and intentions of Ugandan household tuberculosis contacts receiving test results via text message: an exploratory study.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends household contact investigation for tuberculosis (TB) in high-burden countries. However, household contacts who complete evaluation for TB during contact investigation may have difficulty accessing their test results. Use of automated short-messaging services (SMS) to deliver test results could improve TB status awareness and linkage to care.

Social Media Guidelines for Anatomists.

Social Media has changed the way that individuals interact with each other - it has brought considerable benefits, yet also some challenges. Social media in anatomy has enabled anatomists all over the world to engage, interact and form new collaborations that otherwise would not have been possible. In a relatively small discipline where individuals may be working as the only anatomist in an institution, having such a virtual community can be important.

Examining the Motivation of Health Profession Students to Study Human Anatomy.

Students' motivation is a vital determinant of academic performance that is influenced by the learning environment. This study aimed to assess and analyze the motivation subscales between different cohorts (chiropractic, dental, medical) of anatomy students (n = 251) and to investigate if these subscales had an effect on the students' anatomy performance. A 31-item survey, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire was utilized, covering items on intrinsic and extrinsic goal orientation, task value, control of learning belief, self-efficiency for learning and performance, and test anxiety.

Home-based tuberculosis contact investigation in Uganda: a household randomised trial.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends household tuberculosis (TB) contact investigation in low-income countries, but most contacts do not complete a full clinical and laboratory evaluation.

Methods: We performed a randomised trial of home-based, SMS-facilitated, household TB contact investigation in Kampala, Uganda. Community health workers (CHWs) visited homes of index patients with pulmonary TB to screen household contacts for TB.

Anatomical Sciences in Chiropractic Education: A Survey of Chiropractic Programs in Australia.

Human anatomy knowledge is a core requirement for all health care clinicians. There is a paucity of information relating to anatomy content and delivery in Australian chiropractic programs. The aim of this study was to describe anatomy teaching in Australian chiropractic programs, utilizing a survey which was distributed to all four programs, requesting information on: anatomy program structure, delivery methods, assessment, teaching resources, and academic staff profile at their institution.

Text Messages Sent to Household Tuberculosis Contacts in Kampala, Uganda: Process Evaluation.

Background: Previous studies have reported the inconsistent effectiveness of text messaging (short message service, SMS) for improving health outcomes, but few have examined to what degree the quality, or "fidelity," of implementation may explain study results.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the fidelity of a one-time text messaging (SMS) intervention to promote the uptake of tuberculosis evaluation services among household contacts of index patients with tuberculosis.

Methods: From February to June 2017, we nested a process evaluation of text message (SMS) delivery within the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial of tuberculosis contact investigation in Kampala, Uganda.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Adoption of Digital Fingerprinting During Contact Investigation for Tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda: A Parallel-Convergent Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Background: In resource-constrained settings, challenges with unique patient identification may limit continuity of care, monitoring and evaluation, and data integrity. Biometrics offers an appealing but understudied potential solution.

Objective: The objective of this mixed-methods study was to understand the feasibility, acceptability, and adoption of digital fingerprinting for patient identification in a study of household tuberculosis contact investigation in Kampala, Uganda.

Drop-out from the tuberculosis contact investigation cascade in a routine public health setting in urban Uganda: A prospective, multi-center study.

Setting: Seven public tuberculosis (TB) units in Kampala, Uganda, where Uganda's national TB program recently introduced household contact investigation, as recommended by 2012 guidelines from WHO.

Objective: To apply a cascade analysis to implementation of household contact investigation in a programmatic setting.

Design: Prospective, multi-center observational study.

Sputum quality and diagnostic performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF among smear-negative adults with presumed tuberculosis in Uganda.

Background: Introduction of GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assay has constituted a major breakthrough for tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics. Several patient factors may influence diagnostic performance of Xpert including sputum quality.

Objective: We carried out a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study to determine the effect of sputum quality on diagnostic performance of Xpert among presumed TB patients in Uganda.

Effective methods of teaching and learning in anatomy as a basic science: A BEME systematic review: BEME guide no. 44.

Background: Anatomy is a subject essential to medical practice, yet time committed to teaching is on the decline, and resources required to teach anatomy is costly, particularly dissection. Advances in technology are a potential solution to the problem, while maintaining the quality of teaching required for eventual clinical application.

Aim: To identify methods used to teach anatomy, including those demonstrated to enhance knowledge acquisition and retention.

The influence of anatomy app use on chiropractic students' learning outcomes: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Anatomy apps supplement traditional learning; however, it is unknown if their use can improve students' outcome. The present study examined whether the use of anatomy apps improved student performance on a neuroanatomy assessment.

Methods: Second-year anatomy students, enrolled in a Bachelor of Science with Chiropractic Major program, were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups in July 2015.

Immunology knowledge as one of the basic sciences that forms the foundations to developing sound clinicians.

Objective: The aim of this study was to (1) generate a valid questionnaire to determine immunology knowledge, (2) compare immunology knowledge across 3 different cohorts of chiropractic students that had already studied immunology, (3) examine the attitudes of chiropractic students to the study of immunology, and (4) examine whether students' attitudes affected their knowledge levels.

Methods: Factor analysis was used to refine an immunology knowledge and perceptions questionnaire that was generated by a group of experts that was then completed by 90 students. Immunology knowledge level of each of the cohorts was compared using a 1-way analysis of variance.

Does directly observed therapy improve tuberculosis treatment? More evidence is needed to guide tuberculosis policy.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) now ranks alongside HIV as the leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide and incurs a global economic burden of over $12 billion annually. Directly observed therapy (DOT) recommends that TB patients complete the course of treatment under direct observation of a treatment supporter who is trained and overseen by health services to ensure that patients take their drugs as scheduled. Though the current WHO End TB Strategy does not mention DOT, only "supportive treatment supervision by treatment partners", many TB programs still use it despite the fact that the has not been demonstrated to be statistically significantly superior to self-administered treatment in ensuring treatment success or cure.

VARK learning preferences and mobile anatomy software application use in pre-clinical chiropractic students.

Ubiquitous smartphone ownership and reduced face-to-face teaching time may lead to students making greater use of mobile technologies in their learning. This is the first study to report on the prevalence of mobile gross anatomy software applications (apps) usage in pre-clinical chiropractic students and to ascertain if a relationship exists between preferred learning styles as determined by the validated VARK(©) questionnaire and use of mobile anatomy apps. The majority of the students who completed the VARK questionnaire were multimodal learners with kinesthetic and visual preferences.

Student performance on practical gross anatomy examinations is not affected by assessment modality.

Anatomical education is becoming modernized, not only in its teaching and learning, but also in its assessment formats. Traditional "steeplechase" examinations are being replaced with online gross anatomy examinations. The aims of this study were to: (1) determine if online anatomy practical examinations are equivalent to traditional anatomy practical examinations; and (2) to examine if students' perceptions of the online or laboratory testing environments influenced their performance on the examinations.