# Comparison of Visual Attention to Anatomical Images Between New Zealand European and Pasifika Anatomy Students

## TL;DR

This study compares how New Zealand European and Pasifika anatomy students visually engage with anatomical images, revealing differences in attention patterns.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into how ethnic background may influence visual attention during anatomy learning.

## Key findings

- Pasifika students fixated less on surface anatomy images of the hand, male perineum, and gluteal regions.
- Pasifika students fixated more on plastic model images of the gluteal, foot, and male perineum.
- Pasifika students showed more attention to shoulder images of human donors compared to New Zealand European students.

## Abstract

Anatomy education includes topics that are sensitive to some students due to their ethno-cultural background. Using a Tobii eye-tracker, we assessed the visual attention of New Zealand European (NZE) and Pasifika anatomy students to anatomical images. Pasifika students fixated less on surface anatomy images of the hand, male perineum, and gluteal regions than NZE students. Pasifika students fixated more on plastic model images of the gluteal, foot, and male perineum, as well as on images of the shoulder of human donors than NZE students. Ethnic background may influence the anatomy learning experience.