The Informative & Virtuous Role of Autopsy Observation Experiences in Medical Student Education

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective The autopsy is an extremely valuable resource to medicine and society. However, there has been a significant decline in autopsy rates. The autopsy is a currently overlooked part of medical education. We conducted a study to understand medical students’ experiences with observing an autopsy. We assessed the impact of autopsy observation on medical students’ consideration of Pathology as a specialty choice. We also explored the possible emotional burden of observing an autopsy. Methods/Case Report The Pathology Interest Group at the Stritch School of Medicine (SCOPE) collaborated with the LUMC Pathology department to offer medical students the opportunity to observe an autopsy performed at the university. Participants completed surveys before and after their autopsy observation experiences through Google forms. Data collected over one academic year was analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample T- tests where applicable. The participants’ responses to open-ended questions were reviewed and coded by ESH and ASQ. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Nineteen students participated in the study. One participant’s data was excluded given conflict of interest; thus, 18 students’ data were analyzed. Eight students (44.4%) were M1’s, six (33.3%) were M2’s, and four (22.2%) were M3’s. None (0%) of the students previously observed an autopsy. Unifying themes emerged regarding students’ thoughts about the autopsy observation opportunity, including excitement, gratitude, nervousness, humility, learning opportunity/curiosity, and heart-wrenching. Ten (55.6%) students expressed at least some level of concern about the emotional burden of the autopsy, which four students (22.2%) endorsed feeling afterward. Likert scores revealed that none (0%) of the students felt uncomfortable describing the process of an autopsy to a decedent’s family after autopsy observation and 13 students (72.2%) felt highly comfortable. Conclusion The participants widely found autopsy observation to be highly valuable, regardless of their consideration of Pathology as a career. Although the autopsy observation experiences did not lead more students to consider Pathology, the autopsy is just one of the many aspects of Pathology and we encourage ongoing communication of this idea to trainees. The sentiments expressed by students could inform design of informative and virtuous autopsy observation opportunities. Limitations of the study included its limited generalizability and small sample size, yet data collection is ongoing.