Integration of the musculature in the course “functional anatomy of the locomotor system”—Preparing medical students for the dissection course

To enhance the efficacy of the preclinical first-year course for medical and dental students ‘functional anatomy of the locomotor system’ (demo course) which serves as a preparation for the dissection course at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. The muscular system was integrated into the curriculum of the demo course. Moreover, the number of tutors was increased from around 5 to 15 for approximately 120 students. A detailed course agenda, which had been lacking hitherto, was developed for each course day. Extensive preparation and briefing of course tutors was introduced. Self-prepared questionnaires were applied to compare student attitudes towards the demo course before and after the restructuring process. Surveys were conducted at the end of the unchanged demo course, at the end of the dissection course in the following term (same students) and at the end of the restructured demo course. The mark given for overall course quality improved from 3 (“satisfactory”) to 2 (“good”). The students felt significantly better prepared for the dissection course after the restructuring process, although they perceived the work load as more challenging in relation to the limited time available. They assessed the new course as better structured and stated that the muscular system had been important for the functional comprehension of the locomotor system. According to student opinion, the attempt to improve the demo course quality by providing a detailed course agenda and enhanced tutelage had been successful. As expected, the musculature is critical to functional understanding of the locomotor system.