Evaluation of occupational factors influencing the experience of an autopsy demonstration

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Philipp Panusch - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Steffen Heide - , Institute of Forensic Medicine (Author)
  • Rüdiger Lessig - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Carolin Richter - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Dankwart Stiller - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Daniel Medenwald - , Martin Luther University Hospital (Author)
  • Uwe Schmidt - , Institute of Forensic Medicine (Author)
  • Marko Weber - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)

Abstract

Background: Autopsy demonstrations have been an integral part of medical school, medical and nonmedical education for many decades; however, a direct comparison of the experience of an autopsy demonstration of different groups of participants is missing so far. In this study, the experience of such a situation by the different professional groups was analyzed and discussed in order to improve future dissections for the participant groups. Methods: Evaluations of 54 autopsy demonstrations were performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University Hospital Halle (Saale) and the branch office in Magdeburg in the period 2017–2020. A total of 794 questionnaires were answered and statistically analyzed. Participants rated the autopsies in various question categories and, if applicable, provided reasons for discontinuation of the demonstration on their part (e.g., circulatory dysregulation). To analyze the results the Kruskall Wallis test, the Mann-Whitney U-test and the χ2-test were applied. Results: Findings showed that the professional background has a significant influence on the experience and the dropout rates from an autopsy. Furthermore, the professional groups have different areas of interest and expectations of an autopsy. Conclusion: The results require customized preparation of an autopsy demonstration as well as differentiation of knowledge transfer to different groups of participants to optimize their benefit.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)464-470
Number of pages7
JournalRechtsmedizin
Volume33
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 18 Jul 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85164996749

Keywords