Conference paper
‘CAN YOU BE A DOCTOR, EVEN IF YOU FAINT?’ THE TACIT LESSONS OF CADAVERIC DISSECTION
Chloë Gamlin
; Medical Student at University of Cambridge, Lucy Cavendish College University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Kate Womersley
; Medical Student at University of Cambridge, Lucy Cavendish College University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Helen Taylor
; University Anatomist, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Isla Fay
; Human Anatomy Technical Coordinator, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Cecilia Brassett
; University Anatomist, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Stephen Barclay
; University Senior Lecturer, Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Abstract
Background: The undergraduate Medicine course at the University of Cambridge has included cadaveric dissection as part of
its anatomy teaching for over three centuries. In recent years, medical schools in the UK and the US have debated whether cadaveric dissection is a useful and efficient way of teaching anatomy. Existing research on this subject has focused narrowly on the knowledge-acquisition for medical students afforded through dissection, and thus we have broadened the scope of such
considerations to include the emotional responses of medical students to the dissection process.
Subjects and methods: The basis for this paper is a phenomenological analysis of response data gathered from 56 first year
medical students at the University of Cambridge through written questionnaires and discussion groups before and after their first experiences of cadaveric dissection.
Results: Our research suggests that there are in fact many more lessons taught and acquired through studying in the dissection
room: they are tacit, emotional, experiential and dispositional.
Conclusions: When this wider picture of the value of dissection is considered, a much stronger case for the continued inclusion
of cadaveric dissection in the medical curriculum can be made, as it is a valuable and unique educational experience.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
263814
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2017.
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