I’ve been putting off this post for a while, just because I am not sure how one would start a post about an academic year during a pandemic. Nevertheless, here I am.
Hi everyone, 😊 I hope if you’re reading this that you’re well and safe and that you’ve survived this year as unscathed as possible. I recently completed my 2nd year and for the past few months things have been a little disorganized and chaotic. But I am going to try give you an idea of each block in the order we were supposed to do them pre-COVID-19. I think that this will take more than one blog post to cover but we will see how it goes.
SA 4
If you’re a medical student at tuks, you’ve probably heard it…the stories, the fear around anatomy and dissection or SA4. I don’t know if we had an entirely different experience, if I had an entirely different experience but anatomy was one of the very few enjoyable blocks this year for me. So, anatomy is broken down into the 7 different regions.
1. Thorax
2. Head and neck
3. Neuroanatomy
4. Upper limb
5. Abdomen
6. Pelvis
7. Lower limb
I can’t remember how long exactly each region was meant to be covered for as our schedule changed quite a bit, but basically there would be morning and afternoon dissections and depending on the group you’re allocated to you would then attend one of these. They work hard to make sure that the timetable allows each group to have both equal number of hours dissecting and equal afternoon and morning dissections. In between dissections you would then attend your contact lectures. There are 7 MCQ tests, 1 on each region, 2 interim tests which consist of a written test and a spot test and then finally a block test also consisting of a written test and a spot test. You are also required to submit a portfolio on your cadaver at the end of SA4 where you write about any anomalies you found in your cadaver while dissecting. So back to my “anatomy was enjoyable” point, As you can see above there is A LOT to cover in very little time and you are definitely going to be very busy and very tired sometimes BUT the anatomy department at the university of Pretoria are amazing. They want you to succeed and do everything in their power to accommodate and help you. At the get go you are provided with more resources and tools than you will have time for to make sure you succeed In SA4 and besides the long hours… what an honour and privilege to be able to dissect and learn from a cadaver. Lastly, I had the idea to provide you with a few tips on getting through anatomy
The theory- Anatomy, although given the short period of time you will have for this block, is not a race but rather a marathon. Stay up to date in your revision of the work, prepare for daily lectures by reading through the material, attend the lecture and then revise the material again in the evening every.single.day. Don’t try to cram anatomy before tests it doesn’t work …it isn’t difficult work but it’s probably much more than you’re used to at this point…work consistently.
Also attend the tutorials, the tutors have all been through SA4 and regularly check in with the lecturers so they have very useful pointers, tips, study techniques AND it’s another opportunity for you to revise the day’s work. Lastly if you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to the students who have been through it, they are more often than not super keen on helping out.
Dissection– Choose a good dissection group! SA4 is hard work but you want to also be able to enjoy this opportunity. You are going to spend A LOT of time around these people so make it easy for yourself.
The Tuks surgical society hosts an incredibly good pre-anatomy workshop for second years just before anatomy commences in 2nd year, attend this to get an idea of how to use your dissection kit and how to dissect.
Most importantly prepare for dissections every day, there is nothing worse than dissecting and having no clue what is going on. That being said, the first day you will probably be lost most of the time… and its fiiiine! Be gracious with yourself, you will adapt.
Spot tests: McMinn’s and primal pictures are your friends!
Don’t forget to revise osteology from first year, they do ask it.
There is also an app available on IOS called Complete Anatomy. There is a yearly fee but it is so worth it and helps a bunch when it comes to visualising certain things.
I think that’s where I am going to leave it for now. In my next post I will hopefully be able to cover a few more blocks. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.
TheWaitingRoom 