PERCEPTIONS OF FIRST MBBS STUDENTS TOWARDS ETHICAL ASPECTS RELATED TO ANATOMY

Onkar D. P.*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anatomical dissection is a time honored part of medical education. Dissection helps the students to understand the structural organization of the human body. Cadavers are the silent mentors who were once living people. Hence it is important to respect cadaver. Objectives: 1.To sensitize faculty members regarding services of gratitude for cadavers 2. To sensitize the students about respecting cadavers. 3. To orient the students about organ donation and body donation. 4. To obtain students perception by feedback. Methods: Pretest was conducted with a predesigned questionnaire of ten open ended questions among 96 first year medical students. The students were sensitized regarding respecting cadaver, body donation and organ donation. Post test was conducted. Students’ perception was collected by Feedback on 5 point Likert scale. Pretest and post test results were compared. Data was analyzed by qualitative method.Result: There was significant gain in knowledge on respecting cadaver, body donation and organ donation by first year medical students after sensitization (p<0.001). 95% students agree on actual hands on training on cadaver dissection gives better results. 89% students feel that services of gratitude to cadavers should be started in the Anatomy department. 90% students agree that apart from regular anatomy classes ethical issues should also be discussed as a part of curriculum. 45% students favor deceased organ donation & 51% students wish for voluntary body donation. Conclusion: The awareness regarding the respectful treatment to the cadavers should be stressed on student’s mind.

Keywords: Body donation, Cadaver, Ethics.