The use of autopsy in preclinical medical education: a survey of pathology educators.

Abstract

Abstract Context.—Declining rates and increased competition for student contact hours pose challenges to integrating autopsies into preclinical curricula. Some have stated that the practice is minimally used with few students having the opportunity to observe necropsies. Objective.—To determine the degree to and manner in which autopsies are used in the preclinical medical education. Design.—A survey was distributed to the membership of the Group for Research in Pathology Education, an organization of preclinical pathology educators, assessing the nature of preclinical student exposure to postmortem examinations, how the experience was integrated in curricula, and attitudes toward the practice. Results.—Fifty-one of 131 instructors (38.9%) responded. Most (86.2%) integrated autopsy material into coursework, usually in pathology education (63.1%) with 10.7% using it in discussions on end-of-life issues. The majority (74.5%) furnish students the opportunity to observe autopsies, typically in small groups. V...