Physical and emotional impact of cadaver dissection on innovative medical education students: a survey in Ethiopia

Authors : Melese Shenkut ABEBE

Pages : 145-151

View : 15 | Download : 16

Publication Date : 2018-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: Although many studies have been conducted worldwide to investigate the positive and negative experiences of the cadaver room, there is no documented research in medical schools delivering the new innovative medical education insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NIME); curriculum which involves teaching students who already receive a bachelor degree in any natural science including health sciences and having at least two years of work experience. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of cadaver dissection both physically and emotionally on NIME students. Methods: A survey was done on 82 first and second-year NIME students using standard structured questionnaire. The students were evaluated according to gender, religion and ethnicity. Results: Students experienced multiple symptoms in the dissection room. The most prevalent physical symptoms were nausea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(32%);, palpitation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(20.7%); and sweating insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(17.1%);. In addition to these, sadness insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(41.5%);, fear insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(34.1%); and worry insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(29.3%); were mostly reported emotional experiences. Females were more significantly nervous than males insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.03);. Students of Oromo ethnicity reported a significantly higher degree of fainting insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.03);, dizziness insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.02);, and palpitation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.02); than other ethnic students. Sweating and breathlessness were significantly decreased in year two compared to year one students insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.05);. The smell of the cadaver was the most stressing aspect of the cadaver room. Females had nightmares more significantly than males in the post-dissection period insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.04);. Conclusion: Students experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms during dissection. These can affect the performance of the students. this study provides data for these symptoms in NIME students, and their relation to gender, religion and ethnicity. 
Keywords : Physical impact, Emotional impact, Cadaver dissection