“Anatomy Unleashed: Boosting Recall Through the Catch-Phrase Challenge!”

Active retrieval, the process of bringing knowledge from memory to consciousness, and game-based education, the utilization of games and game components for learning, are recognized as effective methods for mastering gross anatomy. An activity that incorporates both of these concepts is Catch-Phrase, a quick-paced word guessing game. In Anatomy Catch-Phrase, participants seek to help their teammates recognize an anatomical term by elaborating on its characteristics, functions, or associations without uttering the term itself. Once a teammate successfully identifies the term, roles are exchanged, and play continues with the following term(s) until the time expires. Concurrently, the instructor observes frequent mistakes and addresses knowledge deficiencies with the group at the conclusion of the round. Before the initial examination, a seven-question assessment was given to the health professional learners. A total of 18 dissection lab teams (86%) engaged in one round of Anatomy Catch-Phrase, with numerous groups participating multiple times. Following the first exam, 73 students (61%) completed the assessment. On a five-point scale, the majority of students reported that they appreciated Anatomy Catch-Phrase (4.3 ± 0.9), strongly endorsed it (4.2 ± 0.9), and expressed a desire to play it again in the future (4.3 ± 1.0). Furthermore, most students considered the game pertinent to the course content (4.5 ± 0.8), beneficial for revision (3.9 ± 0.9), and helpful in consolidating their knowledge (3.9 ± 0.9). Anatomy Catch-Phrase received high ratings, achieving a score of 4.3 ± 0.9. Several students also offered excited unsolicited feedback, such as ‘LOVED IT! A fun way to study anatomy!:)’. In summary, Anatomy Catch-Phrase was favorably received as an enjoyable activity for reviewing anatomy relevant to the course.