Physical and psychological effects of cadaveric dissection on undergraduate medical students.

OBJECTIVE To assess the physical and psychological effects of human cadaveric dissection on undergraduate medical students and to observe the role of counseling in this regard. METHODS The quasi-experimental study was carried out on undergraduate medical students of Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The batch of 2010 was designated as the control group, while the experimental group comprised the batch of 2011. The 2010 batch began dissection without prior counseling, whereas the batch of 2011 was provided counseling ahead of dissection. At the end of the academic year, both the batches were assessed for the effects of dissection, and preference for it. This was done through a pre-designed questionnaire. The results were analysed using SPSS 10. RESULTS The control group had 84 (48.55%) students, while there were 89 (51.44%) students in the experimental group. Overall, there were 138 (79.76%) girls and 35 (20.23%) boys. The students experienced multiple physical symptoms, but, 140 (80.9%) of them agreed that the symptoms disappeared spontaneously. Multiple psychological problems were also encountered. The percentage of students experiencing these problems was more in the control group as compared to the experimental group (n=56; 63% vs n=41; 49%). The difference was not statistically significant (p <0.062). Despite all the problems, 153 (88.4%) of the students wanted to continue dissections, and 80.9% preferred cadaveric specimen rather than plastic models for studying anatomy. In the experimental group 82 (97.6%) students agreed that the initial preparatory discussions were helpful in overcoming their psychological problems. CONCLUSION Multiple physical and psychological problems are associated with cadaveric dissection, but the latter can be significantly decreased with effective counseling. In spite of all problems, the students still prefer dissection over plastic models and other audio-visual aids.