Physicians' viewpoints on faculty anatomists and dissection of human bodies in the undergraduate medical studies

Studies abound regarding the views of faculty anatomists and medical students on the importance of anatomy and the dissection of human bodies, but very little is known about the views of practicing physicians.

A survey was distributed among physicians and surgeons practicing in Spain in order to find out their views on the practice and consequences of human dissection by undergraduate students of medicine. The most relevant definition to qualify faculty anatomists of medical schools was also requested. Responses were repeatedly clustered into characteristic subgroups for analysis.

In total, 536 physicians and surgeons belonging to 36 different specialties in seven Spanish hospitals responded to the survey. The results highlighted two main facts. Firstly, faculty anatomists were perceived as teachers, above any other professional identity (namely: physician, biologist or scientist); nonetheless, the ascription of identities varied between specialties (p=0.009); and it also depended on whether the respondents had dissected in their undergraduate degree (p=0.03) and on the respondent's gender (p=0.03). Secondly, physicians and surgeons confirmed that dissecting human cadavers serves the undergraduate student not only for acquiring anatomical knowledge, but also essential skills and attitudes, including professionalism.

The results strongly suggest that dissection practice should be reinforced and enriched in undergraduate medical school. As this is important in itself, the results of the study could also help with the development of strategies to alleviate the current shortage of adequately trained anatomists for medical degrees.