Medical students' attitudes, perceptions, and willingness to donate bodies for educational purposes

The declining availability of human bodies for anatomical education has prompted renewed global interest in voluntary body donation programs, particularly among institutions training future healthcare professionals. The International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) strongly advocates for the ethical use of donated human bodies in medical education, emphasizing their indispensable role in developing clinical competence, anatomical understanding, and professional empathy In this context, the present study explored medical students' attitudes, perceptions, and willingness to donate their bodies for educational purposes. The aim was to identify both supportive and inhibiting factors that may inform the development of culturally sensitive, ethically grounded, and sustainable body donation programs within Uganda's medical education system.

A qualitative study was conducted at Makerere University via focus group discussions to collect data from undergraduate medical students. The participants were invited to share their views on human body dissection and the prospect of donating their bodies after death. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically to identify recurrent ideas, concerns, and factors influencing their willingness to donate.

Overall, the majority of participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward human body dissection, recognizing its critical role in enhancing anatomical knowledge, spatial awareness, and clinical competence. Willingness to donate was commonly expressed, especially when ethical safeguards and respectful treatment of donors were emphasized. Nonetheless, the study identified notable barriers, including cultural and religious concerns, misconceptions regarding the donation process, and fears of postmortem mistreatment.

Medical students generally recognize the educational value of human body dissection and express a promising willingness to donate their bodies for anatomical study. However, cultural, religious, and informational barriers persist. Addressing these challenges through targeted outreach, clear legal frameworks, and supportive digital innovations is essential for establishing a sustainable and ethically sound body donation program.