A study evaluating effectual of knowledge, attitude and perception of undergraduate medical students towards medico-legal autopsy

Abstract

Introduction: Ideally, the medico-legal autopsies have to be conducted by doctors specialized in the branch of Forensic Medicine. However, there is limited availability of forensic medicine specialists in India as compared to the number required. The bulk of the medico-legal autopsies are usually carried out by graduate doctors and not by forensic medicine specialists. This study was contemplated to know the attitude of the undergraduate medical students, about the medico-legal autopsy and to ascertain the change in their perception and attitude for autopsy, if any, after passing the Forensic Medicine subject as per their medical curriculum. Materials and Methods: Study was carried out on first, second and third-year undergraduate medical students. Questionnaires to be answered were administered to the participating medical students in physical form. SPSS statistical software was used for comparing the mean among three groups using ANOVA test. Chi-square and Fischer exact test was also used. Results: 249 undergraduate medical students took part in the study. Significant increase in knowledge for medico-legal autopsy was observed among 3rd-year medical students. On comparing mean among all the three groups regarding the knowledge, perception, experience and change in attitude for medico-legal autopsy, it was found to be statistically highly significant (p-value Conclusion: The undergraduate medical students should be encouraged to observe more autopsies during their study course. Problem-based learning during practical training of autopsy must be incorporated, as a part of the medical curriculum and instead of elective, compulsory rotatory internship training should be there for Forensic Medicine. Keywords: Autopsy, Postmortem examination, Students, Attitude.