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Published on: November 19, 2017
Negotiating humanity: an ethnography of cadaver-based simulation
Anna MacLeod1, Paula Cameron2, Victoria Luong2
1Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H4R2, Canada. Anna.macleod@dal.ca.
Human body donation and cadaver-based simulation professionals possess specialized skills, including "negotiating humanity." Their crucial work in medical education is often unrecognized and hidden from view.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Anatomy
- Surgical Simulation
Background:
- Human body donation (HBD) and cadaver-based simulation (CBS) are vital for medical training.
- The specialized expertise of HBD and CBS facilitators is often unacknowledged and operates unseen within medical schools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illuminate the complex, multifaceted work involved in HBD and CBS.
- To identify the core functions and specialized skillsets of professionals facilitating HBD and CBS.
Main Methods:
- A two-year practice-based ethnography was conducted.
- Methods included structured and unstructured observations, interviews, and document/policy analysis.
Main Results:
- Three primary functions of HBD and CBS were identified: Cadaver Intake & Administration, Cadaver Preparation, and Cadaver-Based Pedagogy.
- Medical educators in CBS develop a unique skillset, characterized by "negotiating humanity."
Conclusions:
- The expertise of HBD and CBS facilitators is critical for effective medical pedagogy.
- Recognizing and valuing the specialized skills in HBD and CBS is essential for medical school communities.
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