Floor Mapping: A Novel Method of Integrating Anatomical Structure with Immunological Function

Anatomy forms the cornerstone of many medical degree programmes but is often taught separately from physiological processes. Immunology can be a challenging subject for medical students; its complex, overlapping processes make it difficult to conceptualise and apply clinically [Lee & Malau‐Aduli, Internet Journal of Medical Education, 2013; 3(1)]. Thus, we designed an integrated teaching method for the Graduate Entry Medical course Swansea, UK, where we linked the structure of the lymph node to its immunological function. The floor of our clinical skills laboratory was converted into a lymph node, students became the B and T cells and, with the aid of interactive white boards, we walked and talked through the processes that occur when an immune response is stimulated. Feedback suggested the session was well‐received and engaged our students. We reflected that it catered for students with multimodal VARK learning styles (Fleming & Mills, To Improve the Academy, 1992; 11, 27–30) and specifically included a kinaesthetic element. This novel method shows that the teaching of basic sciences, such as immunology, can be integrated into anatomy sessions and that the delivery can be engaging, multimodal and potentially stimulates active learning. In addition, the use of a cross‐disciplinary teaching team is likely to further reinforce the student perception of the body and its processes as a single integrated entity.