Emotional Impact of Cadaveric Dissection on First Year Medical Students of Gujarat Region

Human cadaveric dissection plays a pivotal role in the learning of anatomy. Studies from other parts of the world have proved that certain proportion of the students engaged in cadaveric dissection develop some undesirable physical and psychological reaction to it. This can have adverse effects on their academic development and subsequent ability to empathize with the patients.

This was a quantitative study involving total 450 students. Data collection was done with the help of questionnaire enquiring about student's mental preparedness to face the dissection and their reactions to the experience of dissection hall.

About 67%–71% have found human cadaveric dissection as exciting or fascinating or interesting. Seventy (15.56%) students experienced either one or more than one negative reactions towards dissection. The students with no mental preparation for the dissection were 1.6 times more prone to develop negative reactions towards dissection compared to mentally prepared students.

For certain proportion of students exposure to cadaveric dissection can be distressing and can have counterproductive long-term effects. Better mental preparation of the students before they face the dissection hall is strongly recommended.