PERCEPTION OF CADAVERIC DISSECTION AMONG BASIC SCIENCE MEDICAL STUDENTS
Shakya T.*, Sharma S. and Baral P.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dissection is a conventional and leading method of anatomy education, but nowadays scheme of
teaching has been modified and includes inspection of prosected specimens, didactic teaching, problem based
workshops, use of 3D models and radiological anatomy. Such modification has resulted in reduced emphasis for
dissection. Therefore this study was conducted to determine perception of basic science medical students to
dissection. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire conducted in
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (SOM), PAHS, Lalitpur, Nepal. A questionnaire was administered to
first and second year basic science medical students. For each question, the students have to choose one of the
three possible responses: “yes”, “no” or “undecided”. Results: In present study 97.2% of the students considered
cadaver dissection is still considered important and indispensable in anatomy learning. Almost all the students
(99.1%) feel dissection provides the best method for learning. 89.9% agreed that dissection is better than
demonstration of prosected specimen and majority of students opined that dissection should not be replaced by
alternative scheme of teaching. Likewise, 97.2% of students found their first visit to dissection room exciting and
same percentage of students was in the agreement that dissection enhanced their skill of thinking in a logical
manner. Conclusion: Cadaver dissection is important and indispensible means of learning anatomy. Dissection is
still the most preferred method of anatomy learning among medical students despite technological advancements.
Plastic models and computer assisted program should be complementary but not a substitute to dissection.
Keywords: Perception, Cadaver dissection, medical students.
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