General Project Information
Project Title: Lean in Medical Education: Reaching for Quality Management Tools to Teach Human Anatomy Effectively in a Multicultural and Multilingual Learning Space (LEANBody)
Project Coordinator: Nagy András Dávid, M.D., Ph.D., Habil., Associate Professor
Organizational Unit of Project Coordinator: Department of Anatomy, University of Pécs Medical School - Hungary
Project Partners: Karolinska Institutet - Sweden, Masarykova Univerzita - Czech Republic, University of Zagreb - Croatia, The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
Head of Croatian Part of Project: Ana Hladnik, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor
Organizational Unit of Head of Croatian Part of Project: Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine
Project Duration: 1st November 2021 - 31st October 2024 (36 Months)
Total Project Funds: 269.471,00 €
Project Call and Code: Erasmus+; 2021-1-HU01-KA220-HED-000027542
Official Project Website: The LEANbody Project
Project Summary
The project addresses the urgent need to prepare Central European medical schools for the upcoming World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) accreditation, focusing on sustainable, high-quality, and student-centred anatomy teaching. A survey revealed significant gaps in knowledge among anatomists in Hungary, Croatia, and the Czech Republic regarding international standards, mental health management, and modern pedagogical practices. The project brings together leading institutions, including the University of Pécs, Masaryk University, and the University of Zagreb, supported by experts from the University of Cambridge and Karolinska Institutet. Activities include needs analysis, workshops, development of assessment tools, and the creation of an online training module for anatomists worldwide. The initiative aligns with global developmental goals, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), and aims to elevate the quality of anatomy teaching in Central Europe to international standards.
Project Description
The project seeks to enhance anatomy teaching in Central Europe by addressing systemic underdevelopment in quality assurance and current teaching traditions.
The primary objectives of the project are categorized into five key topics:
- TOPIC 1: Global Standards in Medical Education
- TOPIC 2: Professional behavioural values and attitudes
- TOPIC 3: Teaching traditions in Human Anatomy
- TOPIC 4: Student-centred Pedagogy
- TOPIC 5: Management of Mental Health
Key activities of the project include:
- Needs Analysis and Research: Identifying legal requirements, teaching traditions, and knowledge gaps among anatomists.
- Workshops and Training: Hosting expert-led sessions on student-centred learning, mental health management, and sustainable teaching practices.
- Development of Tools: Designing innovative assessment methods and teaching resources tailored for anatomy courses.
- Dissemination and Implementation: Testing tools in anatomy courses, sharing results at national conferences, and creating an online training module for global accessibility.
Expected results include improved teaching practices, reduced dropout rates, better mental health outcomes, and enhanced global competitiveness of Central European medical schools. By integrating traditional teaching strengths with modern educational methods, the project aims to set a benchmark for sustainable and inclusive medical education globally.
Project Aim
The project aims to enhance the teaching practices of anatomists by addressing gaps in legal requirements, international standards, and pedagogical methods. Participants will gain insights into the history and evolution of anatomy teaching traditions, evaluate their own practices, and update their understanding of psychological and cognitive aspects of anatomy education, including its role in fostering professional attitudes in medical students. The project will introduce effective student-centered learning approaches, assess mental health considerations for both teachers and students, and explore sustainability within university environments. By identifying and addressing weaknesses in traditional teaching practices, this initiative seeks to align medical education in Central Europe with international quality standards. Through collaboration among leading universities and scholars from diverse European traditions, the project aims to uncover and address regional challenges, improve dropout rates without compromising academic rigor, and enhance mental health and professional attitudes. These improvements will contribute to global advancements in medical education, ensuring the project's results are publishable and impactful on a broader scale.
Project Methodology
The project methodology follows a structured approach to improve anatomy teaching practices, aligning them with international quality standards and sustainable development goals. The key steps include:
1. Preparation and Needs Analysis
- Survey and Needs Analysis: A survey conducted among Central European anatomists identified significant gaps in knowledge related to global standards, student-centred pedagogy, and mental health management.
- Research of National and International Standards: Each partner coordinator will review the quality teaching requirements and Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) as defined by national legislation and compare them to international standards.
2. Workshops and Training
- Kick-Off Meeting at Brno: A meeting will introduce participants to international standards and clarify definitions used in quality assessments.
- Workshops at Cambridge and Pécs:
- In Cambridge, experts will lead discussions on the historical and cultural context of teaching anatomy and its implications for professional attitude development.
- Karolinska Institute will provide training on student-centred pedagogy and mental health management in academic settings.
3. Literature Review and Analysis
- Comprehensive Review: Participants will conduct a literature review on the specific project topic.
- Synthesis and Guidance: The findings will guide the development of new teaching and assessment tools.
4. Development of Assessment Tools
- Focus on Professional Attitudes: Experts from Karolinska Institute will lead the creation of tools to measure medical students' professional attitudes and cognitive development in anatomy courses.
- Sustainability Considerations: Tools and activities will be designed to ensure long-term applicability in multicultural and multilingual contexts.
5. Implementation and Testing
- Pilot Testing: Newly developed tools will be integrated and tested in regular anatomy courses at partner institutions.
- Feedback Collection: Input will be gathered from participants and members of national anatomical societies.
6. Dissemination and Integration
- Multiplier Events: Project findings and tools will be shared at national conferences of anatomists in partner countries.
- Online Training Module: All outcomes, including tools and training materials, will be synthesized into an interactive e-Guidebook accessible globally.
7. Evaluation and Impact
- Continuous Monitoring: Feedback and results from testing will be analyzed to refine tools and teaching practices.
- Publication: Findings will be published in open-access medical education journals to ensure global accessibility and impact.
The methodology emphasizes collaboration between regional and global experts, integration of historical teaching traditions with modern pedagogical practices, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) on quality education.
Workshops and Dissemination
International symposium on teaching in medical education: How to Teach Human Anatomy Effectively (Zagreb, September 2024)
The International Symposium on Teaching in Medical Education: How to Teach Human Anatomy Effectively was held on Friday and Saturday, 27th and 28th September 2024, at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. During the symposium, the results of the LEANBODY project were presented. Anatomy teachers from the University of Cambridge, Masaryk University in Brno, University of Pécs, and the University of Zagreb, along with educational skills development experts from the Teaching and Learning educational unit of Karolinska Institute, gave lectures and participated in round table discussions on teaching methods and the challenges faced by higher education teachers.
International symposium on teaching in medical education: How to Teach Human Anatomy Effectively - Day1
International symposium on teaching in medical education: How to Teach Human Anatomy Effectively - Day 2
Multiplier event – Symposium on Quality Teaching and Transnational Project Meeting
(Telč, September 2024)
The Symposium on the Quality of Teaching Anatomy took place on Monday, 9th September 2024. It was held as part of MORPHOLOGY 2024 (the 55th International Congress on Anatomy and the 60th Lojda Symposium on Histochemistry). The event was organized by the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno. This annual conference brings together morphologists from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other nations specializing in anatomy, histology, and embryology.
During the symposium, the outcomes of the LEANbody project were presented, focusing on its five topics.
On the same day, an ad hoc transnational project meeting was held in the afternoon. This meeting focused on the pilot study prepared for the Department of Anatomy in Brno, alongside discussions about the project's progress, professional activities, and administrative tasks.
Transnational Project Meeting and Teaching Skills Development Workshop (Pécs, April 2024)
The University of Pécs, as the project coordinator, successfully hosted a productive meeting in collaboration with the consortium of all partners. Held in a hybrid format, the meeting focused on reviewing project progress, outlining the next steps for delivering project outcomes, and addressing any troubleshooting matters. Representatives from the UK attended in person, part of participants from Croatia joined in person and others online. Prof. Vedran Katavić and Asst. Prof. Ivan Banovac shared their perspectives on Incentivizing active learning via constructive alignment.
Attendees from the Czech Republic and Sweden participated through online platform. During the meeting, participants gained valuable insights into the teaching methods employed at the Institute of Anatomy, University of Pécs. Discussions covered both theoretical and practical training approaches. In addition, updates on project progress, professional activities, and administrative tasks were reviewed.
LTTA and Multiplier event International Symposium on the Teaching of Anatomy (Pécs, June 2023)
The workshop in Pécs addressed key topics such as teaching traditions, student-centred and teacher-centred pedagogy, support systems, and the importance of mental health in university education. Participants examined educational approaches from the universities involved in the LEANbody project (Brno, Cambridge, Stockholm, Pécs, and Zagreb), gaining valuable perspectives. The discussions underscored the strengths and challenges of both student-centred and teacher-centred education, with a notable trend towards adopting student-centred pedagogical methods in Central Europe.
Dr. Laura Cszík shared effective support strategies for both students and educators at the University of Pécs, highlighting the significance of mental health and overall well-being. The workshop concluded with the International Symposium on the Teaching of Anatomy, which featured presentations and a round-table discussion on teaching traditions, promoting collaboration and the sharing of best practices among the participating institutions.
Learning, Teaching and Training Activity (LTTA) (Cambridge, August 2022)
The first Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA) of the LEANbody project was held from 16th to 18th August 2022, at the University of Cambridge. The initiative sought to improve the teaching of human anatomy across various cultural and linguistic contexts. The workshop offered an in-depth exploration of both historical and modern teaching practices at Cambridge University and the Karolinska Institute, with a focus on upholding high professional standards.
Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) - Kick-Off Meeting (Brno, December 2021)
A hybrid kick-off meeting for the LEANbody project, an ERASMUS+ KA2 Cooperation Partnership initiative, took place in Brno from 9th to 10th December 2021. Attendees included representatives from the UK (University of Cambridge), Hungary (University of Pécs), Croatia (University of Zagreb), and Sweden (Karolinska Institutet). The meeting introduced the project's overarching concept, with individual tasks outlined and assigned to participants.
Prof. Cecilia Brassett presented a lecture titled "From Pupil to Professional: The Role of Anatomy in the Journey of a Medical Student in Cambridge" to educators and students at Masaryk University.