The value of postmortem experience in undergraduate medical education: Current perspectives

26Citations
Citations of this article
64Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The autopsy has traditionally been used as a tool in undergraduate medical education, but recent decades have seen a sharp decline in their use for teaching. This study reviewed the current status of the autopsy as a teaching tool by means of systematic review of the medical literature, and a questionnaire study involving UK medical schools. Teachers and students are in agreement that autopsy-based teaching has many potential benefits, including a deeper knowledge of basic clinical sciences, medical fallibility, end of life issues, audit and the “hidden curriculum”. The reasons underlying the decline in teaching are complex, but include the decreasing autopsy rate, increasing demands on teachers’ time, and confusion regarding the law in some jurisdictions. Maximal use of autopsies for teaching may be achieved by involvement of anatomical pathology technologists and trainee pathologists in teaching, the development of alternative teaching methods using the principles of the autopsy, and clarification of the law. Students gain most benefit from repeated attendance at autopsies, being taught by enthusiastic teachers, when they have been effectively prepared for the esthetic of dissection and the mortu-ary environment.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Bamber, A. R., & Quince, T. A. (2015). The value of postmortem experience in undergraduate medical education: Current perspectives. Advances in Medical Education and Practice. Dove Medical Press Ltd. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S46669

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free