A Cross-sectional and Comparative Study of Attitude and Manner of Medical, Dental and Paramedical Students Towards Cadaveric Dissection

Abstract

Background: Anatomy is the initial, basic and foundational subject of the medical and dental curriculum. It is thought to be the toughest subject in the initial days of the medical and dental course of study. This toughest subject is made little easier through practice of dissection. Objectives: The cardinal purpose of this study is to evaluate the attitude and manner of dissection, also to explore the views and perspectives towards cadaver and dissection among medical, dental and paramedical students. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out at a reputed and well-recognised medical college. Study population is made of 546 students (medical, dental and paramedical students). They were given a well-prepared student questionnaire (made of 35 questions) and the responses were obtained and analysed. Results: Among 546 students (224 males and 322 females); 328 are MBBS, 127 are paramedical and 91 are BDS students. Four best questions were selected in the distributed questionnaire based on significance as P values, in which the question asked “Are you interested in cadaveric dissection” is extremely significant with a P value of 0.0092. Conclusions: Many of the students opted for the use of pre-dissected human specimens, instead of cadaveric dissection. They felt that dissection can help them to work as a team and improves their group discussion ability. Though most of the students are interested in cadaveric dissection, they touch the cadaver less often.