MacAnatomy: A Unique Web-based Approach to the Delivery of Anatomic Education.
Abstract: The expansion of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine into three regional campuses necessitated the provision of a web-based system to access to anatomic educational materials. The MacAnatomy project involved digitization, labelling and generation of metadata for over 3,000 prosections as well as other learning objects such as models, illustrations, purpose-built HD anatomy videos, lecture captures and standalone elearning modules. To deliver this material a custom CMS was developed using Joomla which has approximately 6,000 pages and over 50GB of material. The MacAnatomy site generates on average approximately 30,151 pageviews from 13,000 visitors per month from various faculties including medicine, rehabilitation sciences, midwifery and nursing. This paper will discuss the pedagogical and ethical challenges of displaying human anatomy on the web as well as unique issues around multimedia retrieval and delivery we overcame while putting the lab “online”.