Anatomy and humanity: Examining the effects of a short documentary film and first anatomy laboratory experience on medical students. Issue 1 (28th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dosani, Farah; Neuberger, Lindsay
• Is Part Of: Anatomical sciences education. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2015-04-28
• Subjects: gross anatomy education -- medical education -- anatomy laboratory -- anatomy dissection -- medical students -- video documentary -- film -- humanism -- empathy -- media effects; Human anatomy -- Periodicals; 611.005
• DOI: 10.1002/ase.1532
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-9772

Abstract

Abstract : Medical students begin their education inside a laboratory dissecting cadavers to learn human gross anatomy. Many schools use the course experience as a way to instill empathy and some have begun integrating video and recorded interviews with body donors to humanize the experience, but their impact has yet to be measured. This study examines the effects of a brief documentary film and the initial cadaver encounter on student perceptions and attitudes towards the laboratory experience. A pre‐test, exposure, post‐test design was used with 77 first‐year medical students at the University of Central Florida. A previously validated questionnaire was adapted to measure attitudes, emotions, initial reaction to cadaver, perception of the donor as a person, and impressions of the film. An online questionnaire was completed before the first day of laboratory, in which students watched the film Anatomy and Humanity and handled their respective cadavers (no dissection was performed). The post‐test was administered immediately following the activities of the first laboratory day. Results indicate an increase in negative attitudes towards dissection, but a more positive initial reaction to the cadaver than originally anticipated. Students also experienced a decrease in emotions like sadness and guilt regarding anatomy laboratory and were less likely to view the cadaver as a once‐living person. Findings suggest a higher comfort level, but also greater detachment toward the cadavers from day one despite the video intervention. These results provide novel insight that may aid other interventions aimed at promoting humanism in the anatomy laboratory experience. Anat Sci Educ. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.