Anatomy Learning Outcomes in Occupational Therapy: Impact of Prior Coursework.

To address the learning needs of student Occupational Therapists with diverse academic backgrounds, educators must understand the factors that influence anatomy academic outcomes. To compare anatomy learning outcomes of students with and without previous anatomy coursework over time and on higher- versus lower-order thinking skills. An observational cohort study was conducted with entry-level occupational therapy students. Anatomy quizzes, were designed using the Blooming Anatomy Tool, were administered progressively throughout the term. Grades and thinking skills were compared between groups. At the start of term, students with anatomy coursework fared better than those without; the difference between groups was no longer present in the last four quizzes of the term. In general, students had lower grades on higher-order assessments; this did not differ between groups. Students without anatomy coursework achieved similar assessment outcomes as their peers; however, lower grades at the start of the term indicate that there was an adjustment period to anatomy learning.