A Pre-semester, Online, Introductory Course to Anatomy and Physiology Boosts the Self-Confidence and Assessment Outcomes of First-year Healthcare Professional Students Studying Bioscience

Healthcare and allied health degrees include the study of anatomy and physiology, collectively termed “bioscience”, in the first-year curriculum. It is well established that undergraduate nursing students, while appreciating the importance of bioscience for effective clinical practice, perceive it as difficult. This generates anxiety, which can negatively impact academic performance. Our study has revealed that this concern is also shared by occupational therapy and midwifery students. To address this issue, a fully online, self-directed short course, Jumpstart A&P, was developed to introduce students to basic bioscience concepts before the start of their first semester. Survey results revealed that engagement with Jumpstart A&P reduced student anxiety and enhanced self-reported confidence in studying bioscience. This was significantly associated with improved academic performance for those who completed at least half of the course. Therefore, the Jumpstart A&P course is an effective online intervention that improves students’ agency and confidence.