Attitude of Medical Students Towards Dissection on Human Cadaver: A Study on the Students of a Medical College of Eastern India

Abstract

Background : Dissection of cadaver is an integral part of anatomy. It is a vital component in order to

understand the relations of structures and to have an orientation on the subject. With the advent of modern

technologies and equipments like synthetic cadavers, virtual dissection table and lack of adequate number

of cadavers, the importance of dissection seems to be compromised among students.

Aim and Objective: This study was conducted to find out the attitude of MBBS students towards cadaveric

dissection. It focused on the emotional and psychological aspect on the tender minds of students.

Material and Method: The study included 1st year MBBS students. It was conducted after 3 months of

their exposure to the course. A formatted questionnaire was given to them. The questionnaire included some

general information about the students, some questions regarding their feeling towards cadaveric dissection.

The questions were to be answered in Yes or No.

Discussion and Conclusion : The response of the students was tabulated and analyzed. The data revealed

that only 21.58% students preferred for dissection. Majority of students don’t perform dissection. The most

frequent cause of it was smell of formaldehyde (38.85%) and lack of adequate number of cadavers (15.11%).

There are other factors too which expels them from dissecting the cadaver. Many other angles were explored

and discussed.