Public attitudes towards the autopsy in China

The autopsy rate in China has fallen within the last few years. The attitudes of the public have become an important factor for its decline. Attitudes towards autopsy were surveyed from 400 subjects residing in the 27 provinces of China. Among the 299 survey forms returned, 284 were completed correctly, the remaining 15 being incomplete. The response rate was 71%. More than half of the responding members considered autopsy beneficial. However their perception of autopsy was quite inaccurate and prejudicial, lacking complete information. The two most frequent reasons for not accepting an autopsy were the lack of awareness towards the practice of autopsy and the wariness of body disfigurement after the autopsy was performed. It was suggested that the most appropriate way to change public perception of autopsy was through education. The primary tool for reaching the public was through the media. In addition, the approach to obtaining consent for autopsy should be improved.