A Survey on the attitudes of the Ayurveda medical students toward cadaver dissection

Abstract

Cadaveric dissection is a fundamental tool in teaching anatomy Although this facilitates students to understand the theories and the concepts of the discipline, presently cadavefic dissections seems to be reduced due to negative attitudes such as exposure to hazardous chemicals: and time consumption among other things. In this study. the attitudes of Ayurveda medical students 10M ards the cadaveric dissection were analyzed during their BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surge1Y) course. This a cross- sectional study. Data were collected from students of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya who have completed Anatomy course in Preclinical phase. A self-administered questionnaire in five point Likert scale was given to 110 students. This study revealed that 67% of the respondents found their first visit to the dissection hall exciting and 90% were shocked to see the cadaver for the first time. Between 60% and 94% of students held positive attitudes towards the dissection. Ninety-four per cent of the students were detenninecl. interested, and ready to study anatomy with cadaveric dissection. Eighty-five per cent students reported that the undergraduate curriculum should include the dissection method for teaching modality of Anatomy. Hundred per cent of students have showed a sense of gratitude to the people and/or the relatives who had donated their bodies. Although dissections have gixen an unpleasant experience for mgiority of BAMS graduates at the beginning they conclude that cadaveric dissections ave an essential part of teaching Anatomy in 13AMS degree program.