Psychological Impact of Cadaveric Dissection on First-Year Medical Students

Abstract

Background This cross-sectional study was carried out to ascertain if first-time cadaver dissections can cause acute stress disorder (ASD) in medical students, and if death anxiety and gender play a role in the development of these symptoms. Methods A total of 135 first-year medical students at the Services Institute of Medical Sciences and King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan, who had recently conducted their first ever cadaver dissection filled out three scales: the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Appraisal of Life Scale (Revised) (ALS-R) and Death Anxiety Inventory. The results were then calculated via SPSS v.23. Any students with a history of psychiatric treatment or disorder were not included in the study. Results Scores on the IES-R showed that the sample suffered from symptoms of ASD (mean = 36.15, standard deviation = 15.99). Multilinear regression showed that death anxiety did not predict any variance on the scores for IES-R, whereas higher scores on the ALS-R threat domain scale predicted higher scores on the IES-R. Death anxiety had little to no impact on the scores for IES-R. Conclusion Results showed that students who perceived the dissection situation as threatening and anxiety inducing were more likely to test positively for ASD symptoms. A major limitation of the study was that it did not measure whether these symptoms reduced with repeated exposure to cadaver dissection or how symptoms changed over time.

Three-Dimensional Virtual Anatomy as a New Approach for Medical Student’s Learning

“…Dissection is characterized by some limitations in the human body donor program, and to ensure the autonomy of these potential cadaver donors, an adequate informed consent process must be carried out for ensuring that the bequest is a completely voluntary-based decision [ 11 ]. In addition, dissection on cadavers is considered, at first glance, a stressful experience that causes a wide range of symptoms among medical students, such as difficulty breathing, palpitations, and nausea [ 65 , 66 ]. These symptoms are associated with the strong odor caused by chemical substances used in the prevention of tissue decay and with the aim to kill potential pathogens [ 67 ].…”

A Need to Protect the Health and Rights of Anatomists Working in Dissection Laboratories

“…A number of authors have reported the psychological effects of cadaver dissections, especially during initial experiences. Zubair, Waheed, and Shuja 15 had reported that the first-time exposure could cause acute stress disorder (ASD) in students. This was also similar to the report of Javadnia et al 16 In several instances, such psychological impacts were reported to have abated over time or with repeated exposure.…”

Overcoming and Benefitting from the Psychological Challenges Posed by Cadaveric Dissection

“…We read with interest the article on the 'Psychological impact of cadaveric dissection on fi rst-year medical students', 1 which highlights that dissection can cause acute stress disorder. With traumatic emotional experiences of dissection increasingly being recognised, 2 we wanted to share our perspectives on performing dissection during medical school and offer some solutions that may reduce this psychological impact.…”

“…As mentioned by the authors, students who experience acute stress disorder are at risk of developing more severe mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. 1 In addition, students who fi nd these sessions more emotionally taxing may develop maladaptive coping strategies, such as denial and avoidance. Concerningly, this can have long-lasting consequences for their ability to care and empathise later on as doctors.…”

“…Following the insightful recent ar ticle about the biopsychosocial ramifi cations of initial exposure to dissection as part of anatomical education, 1 we wish to provide a student's perspective to matters.…”