Price based on the number of users (FTE); must contact for
individualized quote.
Purpose and Product Description
Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy is an online database that
contains high-quality videos of real human cadaver dissections,
organized by anatomical region. It includes audio narration that
explains in detail what the viewer is seeing, and each video
contains a clickable menu that is conducive to self-directed
learning.
Intended Audience and Users
This product is intended for anatomy instructors at the
undergraduate or postgraduate level, students in health-related
programs, undergraduate or postgraduate medical trainees, and anyone
else who has an interest in human anatomy.
Special Features
The Acland’s platform contains an A-Z index that helps locate videos
quickly, along with a detailed glossary that provides
interpretations for the Greek, Latin, or Arabic anatomical structure
names. The videos are accompanied by closed captioning and
transcripts, can be stopped and started at anytime, and can be
embedded within learning management systems or shared via a link. It
is worth nothing that a link to a video can be shared with users who
do not have a subscription to Acland’s, and this link remains active
for five days with a maximum of ten clicks permitted [1].
In the spirit of self-directed learning, Acland’s has a built-in
exams feature that is accessible to users after creating their
personal account. These exams include content across all of the
Acland’s volumes that the institution has licensed, and the
exam-taker can customize their exam parameters and see their
progress as they work through the questions.
Compatibility
Acland’s is fully functional in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet
Explorer using a computer. When using Acland’s via your web browser
on a mobile device, the transcript option becomes unavailable and
the video menu does not display, which prohibits the viewer from
jumping to a different section of the video. Closed captioning is
still present in videos when viewing on a mobile device. Acland’s is
not available as a mobile app but has been optimized for mobile
devices [2].
Platform
Acland’s is housed on an intuitive platform that is maintained by
Wolters Kluwer, and library professionals who have used the Bates
Guide to Physical Examination product through Wolters Kluwer will
recognize this layout and its functionality. Wolters Kluwer has
considered accessibility needs in designing this product, as
Acland’s videos are equipped with closed captioning, transcripts,
the ability to maximize or minimize the screen, the option to speed
up the video if desired, and embedded volume controls.
Acland’s offers the option to view the platform in English or
Spanish, and it has a helpful search box on the home screen where
users can enter keywords to jump to videos that match the search.
There is a clear menu along the top of the home screen that includes
exams, a glossary of terms in Greek, Latin, or Arabic, A-Z index of
all videos in the database arranged by anatomical terms, and an
about page.
Usability
This product is very easy to use and its home screen is intuitive
and simple. After accessing it through an institution’s web portal,
users can choose from five volumes that cover the upper extremity,
lower extremity, the trunk, the head and neck, and the internal
organs. This home screen also gives the user the option to log in to
their personal account and doing so will bring up their exam-taking
history. However, not logging in to a personal account will still
allow users to access all of the video content in Acland’s.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Acland’s strengths include its simple platform, self-directed
learning features (such as exams and video menus), clear and
descriptive videos with accessibility features (such as transcripts,
closed captioning, embedded volume controls, and speed-up
capabilities), and an A-Z index and search box that let the user
find what they need fast.
This product has a few weaknesses. The first is that Acland’s would
appeal to more users if the platform was available in languages
other than English and Spanish. A second weakness is that the videos
are dated in appearance, and they remind the viewer of instructional
tapes from the late nineties. However, it is worth noting that the
video content is exceptional, therefore the quality of the content
far outweighs the videos’ aesthetic. Lastly, Acland’s would be more
appealing to modern users if it was available as an app rather than
just being mobile optimized.
Comparison and Currency
While Acland’s provides complete anatomical coverage of the human
body, there are other interactive products on the market that teach
these concepts differently. Some of the main competitors are Primal
Pictures’ Anatomy.tv, Visible Body, and E-Anatomy. For the purposes
of this review these products will be compared with Acland’s.
Anatomy.tv allows viewers to see 360-degree views of human
anatomical structures, and it breaks regions down into multiple
layers starting with the skeletal system and moving up to include
nerves, muscles, etc. It is completely self-directed, and users can
interact with the product in various ways to facilitate learning.
While it does not appear to be available as an app, it is optimized
to be viewed on a tablet [3]. Visible Body
offers 3D models of the human body where users can interact and
dissect the region and see sliced models in comparison to scans from
real human cadavers [4]. It is available
in seven languages and comes in app format so users have more
flexibility with how they access it. It also operates in augmented
reality [5], so 3D models can be
manipulated within a virtual space unlike other products on the
market. E-Anatomy is an interactive human atlas that can be accessed
through your web browser or as an app. It is available in multiple
languages and includes exam preparation materials. Looking at this
product’s homepage, it appears that images are interactive with a
mix of labeled drawings, surgical video, as well as MRI scans [6].
While these three products provide interactive content that would be
helpful for teaching or learning anatomy, none appear to offer human
dissection in video format with voiceover narration that way
Acland’s does. However, two of these products are available as a
mobile app, making them more in line with modern access preferences
when compared to Acland’s.
Conclusion
Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy is a standout product, as it
gives anatomy instructors and students the opportunity to view real
human cadaver dissections at multiple points in the dissection
process, while also hearing clear descriptions of what the viewer is
seeing. Libraries that are looking to offer a flashier product with
technologically impressive features or mobile app access may want to
look elsewhere in the market. However, if you want a simple,
accessible interface that focuses solely on human dissection with
detailed explanations that stand the test of time, Acland’s is the
product for you.
Fig. 1:Exam
question with progress bar
Fig. 2:Landing
screen in Acland's with menus and video collections by volume
Fig. 3:Screenshot
of a video in Acland's.
On the left, a menu allows users to jump to a different section
of the video. Accessibility features can also be seen on the
video platform.
1. Phinney J. RE: Question
regarding Acland’s link sharing [Internet]. Message
to: Kate Charron. 2020 Sept 16 [cited 2020 Sept 17]. [1
Line]
2. Phinney J. RE: Question regarding Acland’s
link sharing [Internet]. Message to: Kate Charron. 2020 Sept 21
[cited 2020 Sept 21]. [1 Line]
3. Informa PLC. FAQs. Anatomy.tv powered by
Primal Pictures [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Sept 16] Available
from: https://www.anatomy.tv/faq
4. Visible Body. [Promo] Human Anatomy Atlas
2019 | Visible Body [Video File]. 2020 Nov 8 [cited 2020 Sept 16].
Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=G_fjaqKftsQ&feature=emb_logo
5. Visible Body. Visible Body | Empowering a
more complete understanding of the human body [Video File]. 2020
April 23 [cited 2020 Sept 16]. Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcCxhR_Nh3Q
6. IMAIOS SAS. Anatomy. E-Anatomy the
interactive atlas of human anatomy [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020
Sept 16]. Available from: https://www.imaios.com/en/e-Anatomy/
Jackie
Phinney
BA (Hons),
MLIS
W.K.
Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Dalhousie University
(Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick)
Phinney