Attitude of First Year Indian Medical Students Towards Cadaver Dissection.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Introduction: Cadaveric dissection is routinely practiced for teaching anatomy for medical students. Anatomy
is one of the most important subjects offered during the first year MBBS course. Dissection is very important in
learning anatomy, so the first year students will encounter, most likely for the first time, a dead human body.
This experience, even though emotionally stressful, provides essential knowledge and skills for their future
studies.
Methods: A total of 150 newly admitted first-year medical students emotional and physical reactions to
cadaveric dissection were assessed by using a questionnaire. The questionnaires were given just before, after
a week and 2 months after the initiation of dissection classes.
Results: Most of the students experienced negative physical symptoms, such as eye irritation (63.33%), headache
(10%), decrease in appetite (12%), nausea (3.3%), sweating (35.33%) giddiness (2.66%), shivering (4.66%) and
desire to leave dissection hall (9.33%) in the first encounter with a cadaver in the dissection hall. They also
experienced adverse emotional responses such as fear (61.33%), depression (14.66%). However, most of these
reactions decreased significantly 2 months later, except for eye irritation and their interest has increased on
subsequent visit to dissection classes. A majority (95.5%) considered the cadaver dissection to be the most
helpful tool in learning anatomy and it increased their skills.
Conclusion: The initial encounters with a cadaver caused emotional and physical stress to students, but most
students adapted gradually to the stressful learning environment. The amount of stress can be greatly reduced
if they are properly counselled before the dissection classes. Majority of students preferred dissection as the
most useful tool to learn anatomy than any other method.
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Keywords
Cadaver, Dissection, MBBS, Medical Students
Citation
Kumar V Vinay, Lucas Martin A, Kumar Vishal, Kulal Pradeep. Attitude of First Year Indian Medical Students Towards Cadaver Dissection. International Journal of Anatomy and Research. 2015 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 1255-1258.