Giving color to a new curriculum: bodypaint as a tool in medical education.

We describe a new method, bodypainting, to enhance courses in living anatomy. This novel approach was fully integrated in a course that comprised gross anatomy, living anatomy, and physical examination of the major abdominal and thoracic organs. We designed a course in which the students familiarized themselves with the surface markings and subsequently painted the full organ at the site of its projection on the body surface. Based on our first experiences, we conclude that the course is a successful and enjoyable means of teaching various aspects of anatomy in relation to physical examination. This was confirmed by an evaluation among the first groups of students. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.