Bridging the gap: a survey of resident physicians’ needs for cross-sectional anatomy education and a collaborative teaching framework

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional anatomy is essential for clinical imaging interpretation, yet many medical curricula lack systematic training for clinical students. This study assessed needs among resident physicians and proposed a collaborative education framework. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 130 resident physicians from Zhejiang University-affiliated hospitals (June-August 2025) evaluated knowledge gaps, clinical challenges, and preferences using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 130 respondents (53% female, 58% aged 26-30), 74% reported no formal cross-sectional anatomy training, despite 88% citing high clinical needs. Top challenges included anatomical positioning (45%), with surgery residents showing greatest urgency (95%). Preferences favored clinical-basic science collaboration (64% "very important"), blended online-offline formats (57%), and 3D imaging (71%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant educational gaps persist in cross-sectional anatomy, underscoring the need for collaborative models integrating clinical cases and technology. This framework can guide curriculum reforms to enhance imaging competency and patient safety in global medical education.