Body worlds exhibition--visitor attitudes and emotions.
BACKGROUND
Plastination is a new technique for odorless preservation of cadavers. Public exhibition of cadavers has raised controversy but attracted many people.


METHODS
A total of 1078 visitors of the "Body Worlds" Exposition 2003 in Munich were surveyed about their emotional reactions, attitudes and health intentions to assess whether they learned more about human anatomy and aspects of health care.


RESULTS
Most, 81.4% visited the exposition to learn more about anatomic structure and function of their own bodies, 86.4% considered this accomplished. Many, 49.8% visitors also felt disturbed. About 74.5% named curiosity as their motive. At least, 40.6% were led to reflect on their own mortality. In total, 42.6% resolved to pursue a healthier lifestyle.


CONCLUSIONS
The "Body Worlds" Exposition teaches medical staff and lay people more about human anatomy, as well as the transience of life. About 94.3% visitors pleaded against prohibiting the exposition. The Body Worlds exhibition could improve its reputation if more information and incentives for health care were provided.
Leiberich
Peter
P
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Hospital for Internal Medicine II, University of Regensburg Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany. p.leiberich@inntalklinik.de
Loew
Thomas
T
Tritt
Karin
K
Lahmann
Claas
C
Nickel
Marius
M
D001290:Attitude; D002102:Cadaver; D004644:Emotions; D005085:Exhibitions as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires