Teaching with cadavers outside of the dissection room using cadaveric videos

The rise of Information and Communication Technologies and Computer Assisted Instruction have led to the adoption of digital visual learning aids to improve anatomy instruction. Creation of cadaveric video resources surged during 2020–2021 as they provided one option to continue teaching anatomy using cadaveric specimens in a time when all in-person practical teaching was prohibited to maintain safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cadaveric videos are relatively inexpensive to create and with the correct set up can be filmed independently by one anatomist. This makes cadaveric videos a feasible option for anatomists to create using their own specimens and tailored to their own curriculum. The use of cadaveric videos is not limited to instances where practical teaching is not an option and can provide an excellent supplementary exercise. Using cadaveric videos in conjunction with in-person dissection sessions could enhance student’s self-efficacy, promote autonomous learning and reduce the likelihood of students experiencing cognitive overload while learning in the dissection room environment. However, sharing resources that contain cadaveric material online should be approached with caution and anatomists should ensure they have a secure method of distributing cadaveric video content to the intended audience only.