Approach to Cadavers Used in Anatomy Education: Dead Body Privacy and Medical Ethics

Dead Body Privacy and Medical Ethics

Abstract

Background: The human cadavers have been the most valuable educational tool for medical students to learn the anatomical structures belonging to human body and to study on by touching and dissecting the real tissues and organs. It also important that the medical students to take a sensitive approach on cadavers and respect their privacy. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the opinions of the students attending the Faculty of Medicine of Bursa Uludag University and the anatomists of Turkish Universities in terms of medical ethics and raise the awareness of the confidentialities of the dead bodies.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire, consisting of 23 questions were prepared using reliable and private online forms and shared with the students and academicians. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for the statistical analyses.

Results: The questionnaire were answered by 89 anatomists in Turkey and 553 students who have been attending Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine. Statistically significance (p≤0,005) was observed in six different topics among 15 questions about approaching cadavers and dead body privacy between groups.

Conclusion: Cadavers, as the most valuable educational tools in anatomy education, are a part of a subject that must be meticulously focused on privacy and moral values. As it is seen from the answers privacy of dead bodies is one of the most important issues in relation to the human anatomy education.