Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas
Abstract The inequity of resources available for learning human anatomy, one of the basic sciences underpinning a medical or allied health training, between low- and high-income countries is stark. Many Low Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) have no access to cadavers for the study of human anatomy. In...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | 3D Printing in Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-025-00277-8 |
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| author | Paul G. McMenamin Lucy F. Costello Michelle R. Quayle John F. Bertram Aboubacar Kaka Nakapi Tefuarani Justin W. Adams |
| author_facet | Paul G. McMenamin Lucy F. Costello Michelle R. Quayle John F. Bertram Aboubacar Kaka Nakapi Tefuarani Justin W. Adams |
| author_sort | Paul G. McMenamin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The inequity of resources available for learning human anatomy, one of the basic sciences underpinning a medical or allied health training, between low- and high-income countries is stark. Many Low Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) have no access to cadavers for the study of human anatomy. In this review we try to highlight the status of anatomy education especially with regards to the barriers to accessing cadavers such as cost, local laws and regulations, religious beliefs and cultural mores. Many of these barriers are more acute in LMIC. We discuss possible solutions to the shortage of cadaver material and specifically we detail 3 case studies in which authors from high income countries can assist colleagues in LMIC institutions teach anatomy using 3D printed replicas of human dissections. The case for this assistance is made and its practical application together with its evaluation is presented. The case studies include medical schools in Liberia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The outcomes suggest this model could be expanded to other countries who lack the economic resources to adequately provide learning materials for undergraduate students in medicine and other allied health disciplines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-190da796bfa34143954231a672914751 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2365-6271 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | 3D Printing in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-190da796bfa34143954231a6729147512025-08-20T02:40:15ZengBMC3D Printing in Medicine2365-62712025-06-0111111010.1186/s41205-025-00277-8Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicasPaul G. McMenamin0Lucy F. Costello1Michelle R. Quayle2John F. Bertram3Aboubacar Kaka4Nakapi Tefuarani5Justin W. Adams6Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityDepartment of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityDepartment of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityDepartment of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityUmanand Prasad School Of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of FijiSchool Of Medicine And Health Sciences, University of Papua New GuineaDepartment of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityAbstract The inequity of resources available for learning human anatomy, one of the basic sciences underpinning a medical or allied health training, between low- and high-income countries is stark. Many Low Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) have no access to cadavers for the study of human anatomy. In this review we try to highlight the status of anatomy education especially with regards to the barriers to accessing cadavers such as cost, local laws and regulations, religious beliefs and cultural mores. Many of these barriers are more acute in LMIC. We discuss possible solutions to the shortage of cadaver material and specifically we detail 3 case studies in which authors from high income countries can assist colleagues in LMIC institutions teach anatomy using 3D printed replicas of human dissections. The case for this assistance is made and its practical application together with its evaluation is presented. The case studies include medical schools in Liberia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The outcomes suggest this model could be expanded to other countries who lack the economic resources to adequately provide learning materials for undergraduate students in medicine and other allied health disciplines.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-025-00277-8AnatomyLMICCultureEthicsHumanitarian aid3D printing |
| spellingShingle | Paul G. McMenamin Lucy F. Costello Michelle R. Quayle John F. Bertram Aboubacar Kaka Nakapi Tefuarani Justin W. Adams Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas 3D Printing in Medicine Anatomy LMIC Culture Ethics Humanitarian aid 3D printing |
| title | Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas |
| title_full | Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas |
| title_fullStr | Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas |
| title_short | Challenges of access to cadavers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for undergraduate medical teaching: a review and potential solutions in the form of 3D printed replicas |
| title_sort | challenges of access to cadavers in low and middle income countries lmic for undergraduate medical teaching a review and potential solutions in the form of 3d printed replicas |
| topic | Anatomy LMIC Culture Ethics Humanitarian aid 3D printing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-025-00277-8 |
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