A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Autopsy-Based Learning is Essential But Underutilized in Medical Education: A Questionnaire Study
Authors: Pakanen Lasse, Tikka Julius, Kuvaja Paula, Lunetta Philippe
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Anatomical Sciences Education
Journal name in source: Anatomical sciences education
Journal acronym: Anat Sci Educ
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
First page : 341
Last page: 351
ISSN: 1935-9772
eISSN: 1935-9780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2073
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2073
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/56056024
To this day, autopsies and dissections have been essential in medical education, but declining autopsy numbers have endangered this long-standing tradition. Students' perceptions of these teaching methods should be constantly updated to help educators understand how to achieve their teaching goals. The purpose of this study was to explore the state of autopsy- and dissection-based teaching in two Finnish universities based on the experiences of the students, survey their perceptions of such teaching, and to compare the Finnish situation with students' perceptions in other countries as it emerges from medical literature. A questionnaire went to 859 second-, fourth-, and sixth-year medical students. The questions concerned dissection and autopsy classes these students had attended, the views of the students in regard to the number of classes, and the benefits of and attitudes towards autopsy teaching. An open question of how to improve autopsy teaching was included. The response rate was 19.4%. Most respondents requested more autopsy and dissection classes, especially practical education. They found autopsies most beneficial in learning anatomy and dealing with one's own emotions related to death. Their experiences proved least beneficial for interaction with the relatives of a deceased patient and for people skills. Integrational methods and focusing on the main learning outcomes were suggested as improvements. Overall, students found dissection and autopsy teaching important, but felt concerned about the diminishing autopsy numbers. Focusing on main learning objectives and better integration of autopsies in the teaching of different specialties could help to utilize autopsies to a greater extent.
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