Anatomical dissection influences emotions of podiatry students

Dissection and examination of prosected cadavers is a tool for teaching anatomy. However, this experience can provoke anxiety and stress among students. This study aims to understand the attitudes, reactions, fears, and anxiety states of podiatry students before their first dissection in addition to evaluate its usefulness as an educational tool for academic training in anatomy.

A cross-sectional study was carried out before and after the dissection room visit of first-year podiatry students. They were given several questionnaires: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires (STAI-state anxiety and STAI-trait anxiety) and two anonymous questionnaires.

Levels of total emotional anxiety (STAI-state anxiety) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 16.9 points before practice to 10.9 points after practice. In terms of gender, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in anxiety levels before and after practice. However, female students had significantly (p < 0.05) higher pre-practice levels of STAI-state anxiety than male students.

Although 100% of students (3.98 ± 0.149, over 4) expressed satisfaction with the practical's dissection and considered that these contributed significantly to the consolidation of their anatomical knowledge, the experience generated emotional responses that need to be addressed. Higher levels of anxiety were observed among female students, highlighting the need to implement effective coping mechanisms to mitigate emotional reactions, with special emphasis on this population.