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Anxiety among nursing students during their first human prosection.
Carmen Romo-Barrientos1, Juan José Criado-Álvarez2, Alberto Martínez-Lorca3
1Integrated Care Management, Castilla-La Mancha Regional Health Services (Servicio de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha, SESCAM), Talavera de la Reina, Spain.
Nurse Education Today
|November 25, 2019
Summary
Human cadaver prosection in nursing education initially caused anxiety in 17.6% of students, but emotional anxiety decreased post-experience. Most students found the anatomy lab valuable and recommended its continuation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Human Anatomy
- Nursing Education
Background:
- Human cadaver dissection and prosection are integral to health sciences anatomy curricula.
- Initial exposure to cadavers can induce significant anxiety and distress in students.
- Understanding student emotional responses is crucial for effective anatomy education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nursing students' emotional reactions and anxiety levels during a five-hour human cadaver prosection experience.
- To compare pre- and post-prosection anxiety states and identify factors influencing student perceptions.
- To evaluate the overall educational value and student recommendations for cadaver-based anatomy practicals.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study utilizing anonymous "ad hoc" questionnaires administered before and after the prosection.
- Inclusion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to measure Trait Anxiety (TA) and State Anxiety (SA).
- Analysis of changes in anxiety levels and student feedback regarding the anatomy lab experience.
Main Results:
- Trait Anxiety (TA) levels remained stable, indicating no significant change in basal anxiety.
- State Anxiety (SA) levels significantly decreased post-prosection (from 21.3 to 17.8 points, p < 0.05).
- Pre-prosection anxiety was reported by 17.6% of students, while 90.2% recommended the practice post-experience, deeming it highly useful.
Conclusions:
- Human cadaver prosection, despite initial anxiety, is perceived as highly beneficial by nursing students.
- Emotional anxiety associated with anatomy labs can be mitigated through the experience itself.
- Implementing coping strategies is recommended for students anticipating dissection room contact, particularly those feeling unprepared.
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