The role of postmortem examination in medical education

Historically, the postmortem examination was an indispensable diagnostic tool. Despite recommendations by the American Medical Association to continue performing autopsies, many physicians and medical institutions fail to recognize its utility in modern medicine, and autopsy rates have decreased to unacceptably low levels. In academic settings, requesting consent for autopsies is the responsibility of residents, who often lack the skills necessary to approach the grieving family, request consent, and follow up the autopsy results. Additionally, the information obtained at autopsies is often unused or is unavailable to families and clinicians. In order to improve the autopsy rate and enhance its clinical and educational benefits, the training of residents must be structured to emphasize the postmortem examination and to develop a standardized means of communication among clinicians, pathologists, and families.