Who is willing to donate their body? Body donation for scientific and educational purposes: a systematic review

Human cadavers form the foundation of anatomy education at medical universities. There is a shortage of bodies donated for scientific and educational purposes in relation to demand worldwide. Cadavers are used not only by medical students but also by resident physicians who train surgical skills on human bodies that most accurately reflect real operative conditions.

The PubMed database was searched using the following keywords and terms: "body donation", "body donors". A total of 131 articles were included in this review. The literature review was planned and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.

Social willingness to donate one's body posthumously for educational and scientific purposes may have a multifactorial basis. Gender, age, education, religion, culture, and place of residence are among the variables that determine people's attitudes toward body donation. The attitudes of doctors, anatomists, and medical students - groups who regularly come into contact with human bodies - are also crucial for understanding this phenomenon.

In the context of body donation, it is essential to consider the posthumous commemoration of donors and to ensure due respect for human remains. Regardless of the country, actions should be taken to promote and increase public awareness of body donation for scientific and educational purposes. A thorough understanding and analysis of society's knowledge about body donation programs can lead to better dissemination of information and, consequently, greater overall awareness.