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Alternatives Database
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Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia Non human primates - Part 1
Review
By Dr Joanna C. Murrell J.c.murrell@vet.uu.nl
D.O.D. Anaesthesiology, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, The Netherlands (commissioned by eurca)
Summary
This resource comprises a series of clear, high quality video clips demonstrating some basic anaesthesia techniques in non human primates. It can be used very effectively to teach these practical techniques to students, researchers and technicians and thus avoid the use of a live animal demonstration. The resource can be used as stand alone teaching material for people with anaesthesia expertise in other species, while additional information describing the background “whys” will be required to accompany the “how tos” by people with limited anaesthesia knowledge.
Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia Non human primates: part 1 is CD 9 in a series of CD ROMs produced by Dr. Paul Flecknell of the Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. The CD ROM comprises a series of high quality movie clips demonstrating how to carry out different practical aspects of non human primate anaesthesia. The “Quick Time” movie viewer application is required to run the CD ROM, a link is incorporated to a free Quick Time download site for those non-Macintosh computer users who will not automatically have the Quick Time application on their PC.
Using the resource
The resource is easy to install and run on both a Macintosh and PC computer. Although in the product description it is stated that the CD ROM can be played as stand alone movie files or can be launched in a web browser, the movies appear to open automatically in the web browser format. “On-line” connection is not necessary during viewing. Using the program is also simple and logical. Following launch of the program a menu appears allowing the choice between four movie clips; rhesus monkey anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation, an alternative approach to endotracheal intubation and catheterisation of the femoral artery. “Clicking” on the chosen topic launches a short movie accompanied by a clear and simple text to describe the procedure. The movie clips are of high quality and the text is relevant without being overwhelming, so that the visual appearance of the resource as a whole is attractive.
Comparison of the alternative resource with real animal or animal tissue(s) in the laboratory
The resource is intended to contribute to refinement of procedures in non human primates and the movies definitely fulfill this goal. The movies can completely replace the use of a live animal to teach these techniques to students. The close up detail shown on these films actually provides better teaching material than if a live animal was used, because it is unlikely for example, that many students can actually see visualize the larynx of a rhesus monkey during a live demonstration. Watching the CD ROM should lead to a higher level of practical competence from the students when they are required to anaesthetize a non human primate for research purposes for the first time. The “real time” movie format makes the demonstration of how to assess depth of anaesthesia particularly relevant and accurate compared to the situation in an animal lab.
Applicability to the teaching situation
This has an impact on how the resource can be used in a teaching situation. Students and researchers with a good knowledge of anaesthesia in other species could watch the movies independently and acquire sufficient knowledge to carry out the procedures described in a rhesus monkey. In contrast, university undergraduates, or researchers with a limited knowledge and experience of anaesthesia in any species would require additional teaching before they could use the information contained within these video clips safely and effectively. For such groups of people, the video clips could be used in a class setting, where additional information is given by a teacher to provide background information about the “whys”. The resource is not interactive and will not encourage co-operative working between students, but the video clips are relatively short and will certainly maintain student interest. The clear format promotes the student to remember what they have learned, leading to improved implementation of the techniques in a practical situation, and will encourage enthusiasm from the students for non human primate anaesthesia. Although no summary is given, the CD ROM could easily be revisited immediately before the techniques are to be carried out for the first time on a live animal.
Service provided by the supplier
Both the email address of Dr. Paul Flecknell and the website address of the Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle upon Tyne are given as contact points should problems arise with the CD ROM following purchase. The website provides information about other CD ROM titles in this series.
If you are an author or supplier of this alternative and you would like to write a response to this review please contact eurca with your reply.
Designed and produced for eurca by The Learning Technology Section, The University of Edinburgh. ©2001-2005 eurca