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Professional attitudes toward the autopsy. A survey of clinicians and pathologists
C Cottreau1, L McIntyre, B E Favara
1Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Insights
Most clinicians and pathologists find autopsies highly useful, primarily for determining cause of death and medical education. However, their full value may be underestimated due to potential knowledge gaps or systemic barriers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Pathology
- Clinical Practice
- Medical Education
Background:
- The autopsy remains a crucial diagnostic tool.
- Understanding healthcare professionals' perceptions is vital for autopsy service optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey clinicians' and pathologists' attitudes toward autopsy usefulness.
- To identify factors influencing the perceived value of autopsies.
Main Methods:
- Mailed questionnaire survey.
- 106 clinicians and 20 pathologists surveyed across pediatric and adult hospitals.
- Analysis of attitudes toward autopsy benefits and personal authorization.
Main Results:
- ~66% rated autopsy usefulness as high, mainly for cause of death and education.
- Pathologists, pediatric hospital staff, medical specialists, and medical staff rated autopsies higher.
- Personal and professional attitudes toward autopsy authorization were similar.
Conclusions:
- While generally valued, autopsy benefits may be narrowly perceived.
- Further investigation is needed into potential knowledge deficits, lack of support, or practice barriers impacting autopsy utilization.
Abstract:
One hundred six clinicians and 20 pathologists at a pediatric hospital and an adult general hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were surveyed by way of a mailed questionnaire on their attitudes toward the autopsy. Approximately two-thirds of both groups rated the overall usefulness of the autopsy as high, but most limited its benefits to ascertaining the cause of death and as a tool for medical education. The autopsy was rated more highly by pathologists; those who worked in the pediatric hospital; medical rather than surgical specialists; and medical staff rather than housestaff. Personal attitudes toward authorization of an autopsy on a member of the respondent's family or on his or her own body did not differ from declared professional attitudes. It is unclear whether clinicians' and pathologists' negative attitudes toward the autopsy are related to lack of knowledge, lack of hospital and community support of the autopsy, or barriers to the practice of autopsy pathology.