Learning about Dermatome Maps and Innervation of Peripheral Cutaneous Nerves Using OHP film-Overlapping

Abstract

Dermatome maps and the illustrations of cutaneous nerve innervation often described together in medical textbooks are difficult for some students to understand their differences and meanings. A novel pedagogical method using commercial limb models covered with white cotton pantyhose was introduced to improve the education around dermatomes and innervation of peripheral cutaneous nerves, which was previously difficult to apply in the classroom as students struggled to handle and store the large commercial models. The method of the present study was developed to solve the difficulties of the method using commercial models, and included transparent overhead projector (OHP) films and A4-sized papers imprinted with dermatome maps and cutaneous nerve maps, respectively. The maps were illustrated on upper and lower limbs with consistent shapes and sizes. These OHP films and papers were provided during class to each student, who were instructed to overlap the transparent OHP films and the papers, which improved their understanding of the differences between dermatomes and cutaneous nerve innervation and their meanings. A feedback survey with a 5-point Likert scale was conducted after the course to determine the utility of this method, and the mean values for effectiveness, satisfaction, understanding, learning engagement, and concentration all exceeded 4.0. These results indicated that the OHP film-overlapping method was useful for learning about dermatome and cutaneous nerve innervation, and it can be applied to other subjects of anatomy education.