The Use of Drawing as Learning Activity in a Human Anatomy Course: Implications for Learning Scientific Foundation of Nursing

Abstract

Human anatomy is perceived by health science students and educators to be a burdensome, challenging and labour-intense course. In order to enhance understanding of human anatomy, the use of student-centred approaches is encouraged, of which drawing is included. However, it is not explicitly known how nursing students in Kavango east region experience the use of drawing. This research was conducted to explore and describe the experiences of first-year nursing students from a resource-constraint setting on the use of drawing as a learning activity in a human anatomy course. A qualitative descriptive, explorative, and contextual study was conducted in Kavango east region, Namibia. Data were collected via focus-group interviews with 28 participants who were conveniently selected. A qualitative content analysis was followed, while trustworthiness was ensured according to the four principles of Lincoln and Guba. Ethical clearance and permission were granted by the School of Nursing Research Committee. The ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice were adhered to. The experienced beneficial aspects of drawing are enhancement of course understanding, boosting creativity, and integration of theory into practice. Challenging aspects were related to lacking artistical skills, time constraints, complex and complicated drawings as well as a shortage of materials and learning resources. In order to improve drawing as a learning activity in human anatomy, recommendations were made for nursing students, educators and future researchers.