The Role of Body Donation Programs in Improving Anatomy Education

Abstract

The Body Donation Program (BDP) of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre was created in 2008 to supply the lack of bodies available for the study of human anatomy in the University. The Program was pioneer in Brazil and allowed the development of several other activities by the discipline of Anatomy. This study aims to evaluate the improvement of anatomy education through the BDP and the activities introduced after its creation: the Dissection Workshop, the Museum of Anatomy and the Ceremony in Honor to the Body Donors. The information in BDP's database and the results of the activities related to the Program since 2008 were analyzed. Since the BDP was created, 297 people registered as body donors and 48 bodies were donated to the University compared to 23 bodies received between 2001‐2007. This increase in the number of bodies allowed the implementation of the Dissection Workshop, in which students prepare high quality anatomical specimens to be displayed at the Museum of Anatomy. The Museum, an annual and temporary exhibition also held since 2008, received 2.416 visitors in 2014 compared to 1.146 in 2013. In addition, 81 students acted as guides to visitors and shared their knowledge about Anatomy. At the end of each year, first year students organize the Ceremony in Honor of the Body Donors to thank the families for their altruistic gesture. The increased number of bodies received through the BDP allowed the discipline to offer a larger number of activities, which enhanced the students'interest and participation. Thus, we concluded that the BDP improved the quality of anatomy education and benefited the ethical and professional education of students as a whole.