Attitude of first year medical students towards cadaveric dissection: a cross sectional study in a medical college of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: Cadaver dissection is mandatory for medical education. The cadaver dissection develops the knowledge and skill of the students regarding human anatomy to understand and accomplish the necessity of medical education and clinics in future. This study was conducted to assess the attitude and emotional reactions of first year Medical students to the dissecting cadavers.Methods: The attitude and opinion of students on cadaver dissection was assessed by a modified structured pretested questionnaire after one week of dissection class among all first year medical students by cross-sectional design.Results: Males and females were in the ratio of 7:3.88.3% complied that active involvement is necessary but only 10.9% told that models or virtual program could replace dissection. Altogether 49.6%% had experienced the excitement, 15.3% had experienced headache and sweating. 87.6%% were curious about cadaver dissection and 84.7 %were interested; however 8% had negative feelings towards dead body.Conclusions: Majority of students opined cadaver dissection was the best method for learning and understanding Human anatomy. Pre-education sessions and interaction with the teacher’s prior dissection will help to remove the anxiety among students and will enable them to get involved in their dissection classes.