Reactions of first-year medical students to their initial encounter with a cadaver in the dissecting room.
This study reports the results of a 1986 questionnaire survey of 100 first-year medical students regarding their preparation for and reactions to their first encounter with a human cadaver in the dissecting room. The students were aware of psychological and physical reactions to this experience, and although they felt adequately prepared prior to the class, expressed a desire for greater preparation afterwards, particularly through more discussion of the experience with the anatomy staff. A surprising number of the students (62) had had prior exposure to a dead human body, which was a significant influence upon their reactions. The results of this study suggest a need for improving both the preparation for coping with dissection and the follow-up opportunities for dealing with professional and emotional issues raised during human dissection.
Horne
D J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne (UM), Australia.
Tiller
J W
JW
Eizenberg
N
N
Tashevska
M
M
Biddle
N
N
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D001007:Anxiety; D002102:Cadaver; D003863:Depression; D004210:Dissection / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires