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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The evolving role of animal laboratories in physiology instruction

American Physiological Society, Bethesda, Maryland

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. W. Ra'anan, Public Affairs Office, American Physiological Society, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3991 (E-mail: araanan{at}the-aps.org)

Abstract

Laboratory exercises are intended to illustrate concepts and add an active learning component to courses. Since the 1980s, there has been a decline in animal laboratories offered in conjunction with medical physiology courses. The most important single reason for this is cost, but other contributing factors include the development of computer simulations, changes in medical education, and pressure from antivivisectionists. Unfortunately, the elimination of animal laboratories has occurred with relatively little consideration of the educational impact of this change. Although computer simulations are considered effective in helping students acquire basic physiological concepts, there is evidence some students acquire a more thorough understanding of the material through the more advanced and challenging experience of an animal laboratory. The fact that such laboratories offer distinct educational advantages should be taken into account when courses are designed.

Key words: medical physiology instruction; alternatives in medical education; computer-assisted instruction; computer simulations

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