Autopsy-Based Learning is Essential But Underutilized in Medical Education: A Questionnaire Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomical Sciences
• Pathology

Background:

• Autopsies and dissections are crucial for medical education but face declining numbers.
• Understanding student perceptions is vital for adapting traditional teaching methods.
• The diminishing role of autopsies threatens a long-standing medical tradition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate autopsy and dissection teaching in Finnish universities from a student perspective.
• To survey student perceptions regarding the quantity, benefits, and attitudes towards autopsy teaching.
• To compare Finnish student experiences with international findings in medical literature.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was distributed to 859 second-, fourth-, and sixth-year medical students.
• Questions covered attendance, views on class frequency, benefits, and attitudes towards autopsy teaching.
• An open-ended question sought suggestions for improving autopsy education; response rate was 19.4%.

Main Results:

• Most students requested increased practical autopsy and dissection classes.
• Autopsies were perceived as most beneficial for learning anatomy and managing emotions related to death.
• Least benefit was reported in skills related to interacting with deceased patients' relatives and general people skills.

Conclusions:

• Students value autopsy and dissection teaching but are concerned about declining autopsy rates.
• Suggestions for improvement include integrating teaching methods and focusing on core learning outcomes.
• Enhanced integration of autopsies into various medical specialties could maximize their educational utility.