Article # 7
Perception , Emotional Experiences , and Cultural Attachments of Ethiopian Medical Students during Human Cadaveric Dissection
Abstract
Introduction
Article # 7
Authors :
Jickssa Gemechu , Abay M . Zenebe , Abdo Jurjus , Malli Barremkala , Divyani Patel , Inaya Hajj-Hussein
Keywords :
perceptions , emotional experiences , cultural attachment , coping , and cadaver dissection
Institutions :
Jickssa Gemechu , Malli Barremkala , Divyani Patel , Inaya Hajj-Hussen : Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine , Department of Foundational Medical Studies , Rochester , MI , USA .
Abay M . Zenebe : Addis Ababa University , School of Medicine , Department of Anatomy , Ethiopia .
Malli Barremkala : American University of Beirut , Department of Anatomy , Cell Biology , and Physiological Sciences , Lebanon .
Corresponding Author Contact Information :
Inaya Hajj-Hussein : Department of Foundational Studies Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine O ' Dowd Hall , Room 452 , 586 Pioneer Drive Rochester , MI 48309 Ph : 248-370-3680 Email : hajjhuss @ oakland . edu
DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.21252 / e4xkt467
Perception , Emotional Experiences , and Cultural Attachments of Ethiopian Medical Students during Human Cadaveric Dissection
Abstract
Human cadaveric dissection has been used in Anatomy teaching for centuries and remains a time-honored and preferred method of instruction . However , the initial exposure to cadaver dissection sometimes evokes emotional reactions in medical students . Previous studies reported that students may experience stress and even psychological trauma . These emotional experiences and the attendant coping strategies utilized by the students may be affected by cultural attachment and ethnicity . Thus , the main aim of this study is to compare medical students ’ perceptions , emotional experiences , and the impact of cultural adherence on the dissection of the human cadaver . A longitudinal survey was conducted focusing on cultural attachment , prior experience with cadaver dissection , emotional experiences , and coping strategies in the medical school of Addis Ababa University , Ethiopia in 2018 . Data were collected at three time points ( TP ): a week before the initial exposure ( TP1 ), a week after their first encounter with cadaver dissection ( TP2 ), and at the end of the course or cadaver dissection ( TP3 ). Findings indicate that self-rated perceptions of dissection as enjoyable , stimulating , exhilarating , and interesting increased over time , while emotions with negative intensity such as scary , depressing , unbearable , and anxiety-provoking emotions decreased . This study , suggests that while cultural attachment appears to affect the rate of change over time in several different emotional responses , affiliation with a religion ( Christian versus Muslim ) or an ethnic background ( Amhara , Oromo , or other ) per se , is not associated with significant differences across these emotional experiences , nor the rate at which they change . However , higher levels of cultural attachment did have a significant positive association with positive coping strategies over time .
Introduction
A majority of medical schools teach anatomy through the dissection of formalin-embalmed human cadavers . Cadaver dissection undertaken by medical students in the gross anatomy laboratory creates an anatomy learning environment with a unique and emotionally charged experience . Although the importance of dissection for the advancement of medical knowledge is widely accepted , the emotional impact of dissection on medical students across cultures has not been sufficiently studied yet is highly important in an increasingly globalizing world with various approaches to learning