MAPPing out the future: Modified autopsy prosection protocol for gross anatomy in medical education

Contact hour reduction and elimination of dissection in gross anatomy in the increasingly systems-based curricula have reshaped medical education in the United States. While prosection-based anatomical instruction enhances efficiency, regional dissection protocols may no longer be optimally aligned with systems-based curricula. Clinical autopsy protocols may provide an alternative approach that aligns with contemporary medical education needs. The Modified Autopsy Prosection Protocol (MAPP), derived from clinical autopsy procedures, was developed and implemented in a systems-based medical curriculum. MAPP integrated structured external exam, modified Y-incision, en masse viscera removal, preservation of body wall and pelvic floor anatomy, and systemic separation of organ blocs. Students encountered the MAPP donors throughout the year with clinically framed external examination and engagement using a flipped laboratory approach. The MAPP preserved inter-systemic anatomical relationships, enhanced clinical relevance, supported spaced and interleaved learning, and enabled customization based on donor variation and pathology. Challenges included increased resource demands, the need for faculty expertise, and enhanced donor care to preserve tissue integrity throughout prolonged curricular use. Despite the challenges, MAPP simultaneously accommodated the reduction of contact hours and demonstrated strong alignment with the clinically oriented, integrated medical curriculum. Implementation provided meaningful early exposure to autopsy techniques, with potential implications for interest in pathology training. MAPP is a novel, clinically oriented approach to gross anatomy prosection that supports pedagogical, temporal, and clinical demands of modern systems-based curricula. While resource intensive, it is a promising model. Ongoing analyses will continue to evaluate its short- and long-term educational impact.