Sustancias psicoactivas, alumnos de anatomía y prepandemia COVID-19: prevalencia de uso y comparación de estudios transversales del periodo 2011-2019 / Psychoactive substances, anatomy and pre-pandemic COVID-19 students: prevalence of use and comparison of cross-sectional studies from the period 2011-2019

En estudios preliminares objetivamos alta prevalencia de uso de sustancias psicoactivas (SP) entre alumnos de Anatomía, con mayor impacto entre los recursantes o aquellos con actividades laborales. La causa del uso es multifactorial, pero se destacan factores de riesgo y precipitantes como la carga horaria de la currícula, exigencias de estudio, el distrés por el afrontamiento cadavérico negativo, el nuevo contexto educativo y la cantidad de horas de sueño. El objetivo fue comparar la prevalencia de uso de SP entre las cohortes de 2011-2019, con focalización en los factores determinantes conductuales. Estudio observacional, transversal y comparativo mediante encuesta estandarizada y anónima en 945 alumnos (año 2011= 122; año 2013= 158; año 2015=204; año 2017= 228; año 2019= 233). Se aplicaron parámetros estadísticos, se definió la significación como p -0.84; AA: r> -0.71). En el caso de ansiolíticos benzodiacepínicos, se asoció con falta de sueño y distrés por el afrontamiento negativo al estudio con cadáveres. En las cohortes comparadas por el lapso de 9 años hallamos alta prevalencia de uso de sustancias psicoactivas con tendencia al incremento. Las variables actividad laboral y recursante fueron determinantes para el uso de sustancias, y se asociaron cuestiones relativas a la adaptabilidad universitaria y afrontamiento de estudio negativo con el cadáver; todos con incidencia pedagógica en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje.

SUMMARY: In preliminary studies, we observed a high prevalence of the use of psychoactive substances (PS) among Anatomy students, with a greater impact among recurrent students or those with work activities. The cause of use is multifactorial, but risk and precipitating factors stand out, such as the workload of the curriculum, study demands, distress due to negative cadaveric coping, the new educational context and the number of hours of sleep. The objective was to compare the prevalence of SP use between the 2011-2019 cohorts, with a focus on behavioral determinants. Observational, cross-sectional and comparative study using a standardized and anonymous survey in 945 students (year 2011= 122; year 2013= 158; year 2015=204; year 2017= 228; year 2019= 233). Statistical parameters were applied, significance was defined as p -0.84; AA: r> -0.71). In the case of benzodiazepine anxiolytics, it was associated with lack of sleep and distress due to negative coping with the study with cadavers. In the cohorts compared for a period of 9 years, we found a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use with an increasing trend. The variables work activity and recurrence were determinants for the use of substances, and issues related to university adaptability and negative study coping with the corpse were associated; all with pedagogical impact on the teaching and learning process.

Longitudinal Follow-Up of Death Anxiety and Psychophysical-Symptom Experience of Participants in the Silent Mentor Program.

This study assessed death anxiety (Death Anxiety Questionnaire, DAQ) and psychophysical- (psychological and physical) symptom experience following cadaveric dissection among the Silent Mentor Program (SMP) participants before thawing (T1), after the suturing, dressing and coffining session (T2), and one month post-program (T3). There was a significant decline in the total DAQ score comparing T1 and T2 (t = 7.69, p < 0.001) and T2 and T3 (t = 5.00, p < 0.001) and T1 and T3 (t = 10.80, p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in total psychological-symptom score comparing T1 and T2 (t = 4.92, p < 0.001) and between T1 and T3 (t = 4.85, p < 0.001). However, for the physical-symptom experience, a significant increase in the physical-symptom score between T1 and T2 (t = -3.25, p = 0.001) was reported but the scores reduced significantly one month after the program (T2-T3; t = 4.12, p < 0.001). The mentoring concept of the SMP program has beneficial effects on improving attitude towards death and psychophysical-symptom experience associated with cadaver dissection.

Instrumentos para evaluar las percepciones físico-emocionales en estudiantes de anatomía de medicina: revisión sistemática / Instruments to evaluate physical-emotional perceptions in medical anatomy students: systematic review

RESUMEN: Las percepciones físico-emocionales han comprobado connotaciones en la formación y futuro profesional. Se planteó analizar la evidencia sobre los instrumentos de medición para evaluar las percepciones físico-emocionales en estudiantes de Anatomía en medicina, estructurando una evisión sistemática en la que se consultaron estudios observacionales de 2010 a 2020 en las bases de datos Scopus, Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science y ProQuest, con términos de búsqueda validados. El proceso de selección de estudios se sintetizó en diagrama de flujo. La extracción de datos y evaluación de la calidad se hizo por tres revisores independientes mediante escalas del National Institutes of Health de Estados Unidos; siendo valorada la concordancia entre revisores con el coeficiente kappa Fleiss. Se incluyeron 28 estudios diferenciados en instrumentos de medida validados (n 16) y estudios que usaron otros instrumentos de recolección (n 12). Los tipos de validación más frecuentes fueron consistencia interna, Alfa de Cronbach y constructo, análisis factorial. Se dispone de un número aceptable de instrumentos que evalúan el tema, se requieren nuevos estudios que aporten evidencia en el rigor en los procesos de medición con adaptación transcultural y de diferentes tipos de validación de instrumentos.

SUMMARY: Physical-emotional perceptions have proven connotations in training and professional future. To analyze the evidence on the measurement instruments to evaluate the physical-emotional perceptions in students of Anatomy in medicine. Systematic review in which observational studies from 2010 to 2020 were consulted in the Scopus, Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science and ProQuest databases, with validated search terms. The study selection process was synthesized in a flow chart. Data extraction and quality assessment were done by three independent reviewers using scales from the National Institutes of Health in the United States; The agreement between reviewers was assessed with the Fleiss kappa coefficient. 28 differentiated studies were included in validated measurement instruments (n 16) and studies that used other collection instruments (n 12). The most frequent types of validation were internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha and construct, factor analysis. There is an acceptable number of instruments that evaluate the subject, new studies are required that provide evidence of the rigor in the measurement processes with cross-cultural adaptation and of different types of instrument validation.

Tracking medical student emotionality in relation to whole body dissection and donation.

INTRODUCTION: For students studying anatomy, dissection of the human body can elicit a wide range of intellectual and emotional responses that are subject to change over the duration of a course. The purpose of this study was to determine how overall emotional responses change over time, if there are differences in responses by gender and previous laboratory exposure, and if these responses impact course performance. METHODS: First-year medical students enrolled in the Human Structure and Function course at the University of Vermont, and in the Organ Systems 1, 2, and 3 courses at Morehouse School of Medicine were given a series of four surveys across the first-year curriculum. Data were gathered regarding age, gender, and previous laboratory exposure. Students were asked to rate their level of 15 positive and negative emotions, and their desire to avoid or approach the laboratory and donors. These responses were translated to three measures: (a) a positive response index (PRI), (b) a negative response index (NRI), and (c) an avoid-approach index (AAI). Responses were followed longitudinally and matched with anatomy practical examination grades. RESULTS: Gender and previous laboratory exposure status were both significantly related to emotional responses at different points throughout the year, and unique patterns of responses across the year emerged within each group. Higher PRI and AAI were positively correlated with some practical examination scores. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that gender and previous laboratory exposure status influence emotional responses to dissection, and that these responses may have an effect on course performance.

Does education about death and dying decrease stress generated in the dissection room? / ¿Disminuye el estrés generado en la sala de disección la formación sobre la muerte y el moribundo?

SUMMARY: Positive effects on reducing students' stress have been reported across numerous university settings when anatomy preparatory seminars have been provided. To date, this type of preparation for coping with cadaver dissection has not been studied in Spanish universities. The aim of this study is to evaluate how first-year Spanish medical students face the dissecting room and whether previous preparation about death and dying reduces the stress generated. We performed an interventional study with students who received preparatory classes before the dissection practices (Experimental Group, EG) and with students who did not (Control Group, CG). Sociodemographic data and a self-assessment on stress symptoms were collected through a questionnaire completed before and after the dissection practices. No differences were found in the self-report of symptoms of stress among students who consider themselves religious or not, or between students who had a family member in the healthcare environment or not. However, in the EG, the students who had ample experience with terminally ill patients or death reported fewer stress symptoms. Unexpectedly, the number of selfreported stress symptoms after the dissection practice was higher in EG students. In conclusion the stress levels of first-year Spanish medical students not only did not improve after receiving preparatory classes about death and dying and discussion groups, but it gets worse. We found a relationship between student stress measured and experience with terminally ill patients or death. Additional studies are needed to identify the most suitable preparation for Spanish medical students.

RESUMEN: Se han informado efectos positivos en la reducción del estrés en los estudiantes de numerosos entornos universitarios cuando se han impartido seminarios preparatorios de anatomía. Hasta la fecha, este tipo de preparación para hacer frente a la disección del cadáver no se ha estudiado en las universidades españolas. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar cómo los estudiantes de medicina españoles de primer año se enfrentan a la sala de disección y si la preparación previa sobre la muerte y el moribundo reduce el estrés generado. Realizamos un estudio de intervención con estudiantes que recibieron clases preparatorias antes de las prácticas de disección (Grupo Experimental, GE) y con estudiantes que no las recibieron (Grupo de Control, GC). Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos y síntomas de estrés mediante un cuestionario de autoevaluación antes y después de las prácticas de disección. No se encontraron diferencias en los síntomas de estrés valorados, entre los estudiantes que se consideran religiosos y los que no, ni tampoco entre los estudiantes que tenían o no un familiar en el entorno sanitario. Sin embargo, en el GE, en los estudiantes que tenían una amplia experiencia con pacientes con enfermedades terminales o con la muerte se observaron menos síntomas de estrés. Inesperadamente, el número de síntomas de estrés recogidos después de la práctica de disección fue mayor en los estudiantes del GE. En conclusión, los niveles de estrés de los estudiantes españoles de medicina de primer año no solo no mejoraron después de recibir las clases preparatorias sobre la muerte y el moribundo y establecer grupos de discusión, sino que empeoraron. Encontramos una relación entre la medición del estrés en los estudiantes y la experiencia con pacientes con enfermedades terminales o con la muerte. Se necesitan estudios adicionales para identificar la preparación más adecuada para los estudiantes de medicina españoles.

Ludoaprendizaje en anatomía: impacto en las concepciones culturales y el afrontamiento cadavérico desde la neurociencia cognitiva / Playbased learning in anatomy: impact on cultural conceptions and cadaveric affronting from cognitive neuroscience

El jugar fue resignificado por Huizinga como un recurso didáctico y se lo denominó "ludoaprendizaje", "aprendizaje mediado por el juego" o "técnicas lúdicas". Diversos autores estudiaron su aplicación en distintos contextos fue desarrollado como estrategia didáctica por los impulsores de la Escuela Nueva. Distintos autores (Brunner, Frebel, Decroly, Montessori, Cossettini y Freire) han analizado sus proyecciones pedagógicas y resaltaron el valor formativo e impacto en las estrategias cognitivas para la resolución de problemas, desarrollar la atención y memoria, así como elemento motivador y de creatividad. El objetivo es evaluar el impacto de esta intervención didáctica en las concepciones culturales y conceptuales referidas al material cadavérico durante el TP y su afrontamiento. Realizamos un sstudio observacional y transversal mediante una encuesta aplicada a 658 alumnos (año 2016=198; año 2017= 228; año 2018= 232) que incluyó la Escala de ansiedad ante la muerte de Temple -EAM- modificada, preguntas poblacionales (edad, sexo, lugar de nacimiento, situación en la materia, aspectos laborales, estudios previos, motivaciones en relación con la elección de la carrera) y se indagaron términos asociados a los conceptos "material cadavérico" y "pieza anatómica" con la técnica de listados libres de Bernard y la técnica de montones para investigar concepciones culturales e imaginarios y grupos de dimensiones conceptuales. Dado que la arquitectura de la Cátedra divide a los alumnos en 2 salones distintos, para evaluar diferencias con la inclusión de actividades lúdicas en un grupo. Los resultados fueron procesados con pruebas de estadística descriptiva e inferencial (SPSS para dicho análisis y realización de dendogramas), para análisis de los términos Visual Anthropac Freelists versión: 1.0.1.36 y Visual Anthropac Pilesorts versión: 1.0.2.60. El presente trabajo cumple con los reparos ético-legales y normativos vigentes. Observamos que los términos "material cadavérico" y "pieza anatómica" se asociaron con repugnancia, asco, miedo y elemento de estudio, principalmente. En el grupo de alumnos con técnicas lúdicas se objetivó menor cantidad de términos negativos, así como dimensiones conceptuales más relacionadas con el material como recurso instruccional didáctico y no como factor de distrés. En conclusión, la implementación de técnicas lúdicas en la didáctica del proceso enseñanza y aprendizaje con material cadavérico en la materia Anatomía se asoció con un menor impacto negativo en los términos asociados y dimensiones conceptuales referidos al material cadavérico. Dicho impacto tiene injerencia en el contexto de la enseñanza y se asociaría con la disminución de factores negativos en el afrontamiento cadavérico.

The act of playing is as ancient as humanity itself, yet Huizinga was the one who re-signified the concept of "ludic" as a didactive resource related to culture. Play-based learning was developed as a didactic strategy by the forerunners of the New School. Several Authors (Brunner, Frebel, Decroly, Montessori, Cossettini and Freire) have analyzed its pedagogy projections and stressed the impact and formative value in the cognitive strategies involved in problem solving tasks, attention and memory development, as well it's motivational and creativity elements. The object of the present work is to evaluate the impact of these didactic interventions in the cultural and conceptual conceptions of the students related to cadaveric material in the course of practical working during anatomy classes. Observational and transversal study through a questionnaire applied to 658 medical students (2016, n = 198; 2017, n= 228; 2018 n=232) which included a Modified Templer Death Anxiety Scale, population questions (age, gender, place of birth, situation regarding the subject, work-related aspects, former studies, motivations related to career choice). Terminology related to "cadaveric material" and "anatomic piece" was investigated with Bernard's free-listing and lot-drawing techniques in order to investigate cultural and imaginary conceptions and groups of conceptual dimensions. The class structure divides the students in two different ckassrooms, in order to evaluate difference with the inclusion of play-based activities in one of them. The results were processed using tests of descriptive and inferencial statistics (SPSS and dendrogram making), to evaluate the terminological analysis, Visual Anthropac Freelists versión: 1.0.1.36 and Visual Anthropac Pilesorts versión: 1.0.2.60. The present research takes into account all current ethical and legal norms. It has been observed that terms such as "cadaveric material" and "anatomic piece" were associated mainly with repugnancy, disgust, fear and study material. It was observed, in the group of student using play based techniques, a lesser number of negative terminology, as well as conceptual dimensions related with the material as a didactic and instructional resource instead of a distress factor. In conclusion the implementation of play-based techniques in the learning process of the Anatomy coursework was positively associated with a lesser negative impact in both associated terminology and in conceptual dimensions related to cadaveric material. Such an impact is of particular importance in the context of teaching and it would relate with the decrease of negative factors in cadaveric affronting.

Anxiety levels among health sciences students during their first visit to the dissection room.

BACKGROUND: The teaching of human anatomy is often based on practices of cadaver dissection and prosected specimens. However, exposure to human cadavers might be stressful and anxiety-inducing for students. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of satisfaction and anxiety among first-year students in the Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Nursing programmes at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) who are experiencing their first dissection/prosection practice to develop stress coping strategies. METHODS: A total of 204 health sciences students participated in this study. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to evaluate anxiety. RESULTS: 'State Anxiety' (SA) decreased significantly throughout the course (p < 0.05), from 20.7 ± 19.29 to 13.7 ± 11.65 points. Statistical differences (p < 0.05) in SA were found between the different health sciences, and pre-practice SA was significantly different from post-practice SA. The students with the highest pre-practice SA levels were nursing students (31.8 ± 33.7 points), but medical students had the highest post-practice SA levels (18.4 ± 12.82 points). CONCLUSIONS: Although students were satisfied with dissection practices (96.8% of them recommended that the practices be retained for future courses), the experience can provoke stressful responses that must be addressed using advanced preparation and coping mechanisms, especially among medical and nursing students.

Dissection in the Modern Medical Curriculum: An Exploration into Student Perception and Adaptions for the Future.

For centuries cadaveric dissection has been a cornerstone of medical anatomy education. However, time and financial limitations in modern, compressed medical curricula, coupled with the abundance of alternate modalities, have raised questions about the role of dissection. This study was designed to explore student perceptions of the efficacy of a dissection program for learning musculoskeletal anatomy, and possible adaptations for appropriate inclusion of dissection in the modern medical curricula. A paper-based questionnaire was used to collect data from 174 medical students after completion of cadaveric dissections. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Students strongly believed that cadaver-based learning is essential to anatomy education and modern teaching modalities only complement this. Moreover, most students reported that dissection provided an additional, immersive learning experience that facilitated active learning and helped in developing manual competencies. Students with previous dissection experience or an interest in anatomy-related specialties were significantly more likely to attend dissection sessions. Students found that the procedural dissection components enhanced the knowledge of applied anatomy and is beneficial for the development of clinical skills. They welcomed the idea of implementing more procedure-based dissections alongside lectures and prosections-based practical (PBP) sessions. Cadaveric dissection plays an integral role in medical anatomy education. Time restraints and an increased focus on clinical significance, however, demand carefully considered adaptations of existing dissection protocols. The introduction of procedure-based dissection offers an innovative, highly engaging and clinically relevant package that would amalgamate skills essential to medical practice while retaining the benefits that have allowed dissection to stand the test of time.

Impact of Background Music on Medical Student Anxiety and Performance During Anatomical Dissections: A Cluster Randomized Interventional Trial.

Anatomical dissection on cadavers can be a source of anxiety for medical students. Studies in other stressful settings have shown a reduction in anxiety when there is background music. The objective of this study was to determine if music can have an impact on student anxiety, student satisfaction, and student performance in dissection room. This cluster randomized interventional trial included 187 second-year medical students. The intervention was standardized background music, selected based on the literature, with a tempo of between 60 and 80 bpm. Six balanced clusters were randomized (1:1) to music or no music during dissection sessions. The main assessment criterion was a validated self-evaluation scale score for anxiety, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Student satisfaction was measured using a visual analog scale and dissection performance was evaluated by an examination. The outcomes were analyzed with mixed models adjusted on group effect, chronic anxiety, and confounding factors. A significant (58%) relative decrease in acute anxiety, odds ratio 0.423 [0.160; 0.710] was found for the music intervention group. Music also had a positive impact on performance with students in the intervention group attaining higher grades than those in the control group (0.42/10 higher, P = 0.0016). The study also showed a nonsignificant increase in satisfaction with 0.37 extra points (P = 0.137) in the intervention group. Background music had a significant impact on anxiety in the dissection room and on technical and theoretical performance in the subsequent anatomy examination. This music intervention could be extended to other stressful work environments.

Assessing the Impact of a Ceremony in Honor of the Body Donors in the Development of Ethical and Humanistic Attitudes among Medical Students.

Activities related to body donation programs, such as donor memorial ceremonies, provide the opportunity to complement student training, especially with regard to the ethical and humanistic elements involved in medical training. This study sought to assess the impact of a ceremony in honor of the body donors has on ethical and humanistic attitudes in medical students. Medical students were surveyed about their perceptions of changes in themselves, respect for donors and donor families, and their relationship with patients. The effect of the students' contact with the family of the donor was analyzed in students who had contact with the cadaver in the dissection room and had either participated or not participated in the donor memorial ceremony. A total of 370 questionnaires were answered by first-, second-, and third-year medical students at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre in 2017. The students who participated in the ceremony presented more positive responses in relation to commitment to their studies, reflection on death, and positive development of empathy when compared to those who did not attend the ceremony. Most of the students that attended the ceremony suggested the event led to an improvement in the doctor-patient relationship. These results suggest that cadaver dissection with accompanied memorial ceremony involving contact with donor families is an effective means of fostering ethical and humanistic attitudes among medical students from the beginning of the course.

Anxiety among nursing students during their first human prosection.

Dissection and prosection practices using human cadavers are a key component of macroscopic anatomy education in different Health Sciences university degrees. However, first-hand interaction with cadavers can be distressing for students, generating anxiety on a number of levels. This study aims to shed light on the reactions, fears and different states of anxiety experienced by nursing students in to a single anatomy room experience over a five-hour period, and examined reactions pre and post same. A descriptive study of these students was designed in order to understand their feelings and emotions, based on the distribution of anonymous "ad hoc" questionnaires before and after the practices. Also, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires were administered in order to assess their anxiety levels: Trait Anxiety (TA), which measures basal anxiety levels, and State Anxiety (SA), which measures individual emotional responses during a specific event (in this case, the prosection practice). The results of this study indicate that basal anxiety levels, measured as TA, remained stable and unchanged during the practice (p > 0.05). SA or emotional anxiety levels, on the other hand, dropped from 21.3 to 17.8 points (p < 0.05). Before the start of the practical exercise, 17.6% of the students admitted experiencing some kind of anxiety. Afterwards, however, 90.2% of the students said they would recommend these practices. They considered that prosection practices very useful for their education and recommended that they be retained for future courses. However, our study also showed the relevance of using coping mechanisms before the first contact with the dissecting room, especially for those students who did not feel emotionally prepared for it beforehand.

Ansiedad y afrontamiento cadavérico en alumnos de anatomía / Anxiety and cadaveric coping in anatomy students

En estudios preliminares describimos la importancia clínica e impacto pedagógico del estudio con material cadavérico (MC) en alumnos de Anatomía y hallamos un significativo uso de sustancias psicoactivas (SP), principalmente recursantes y/o alumnos con actividades laborales. La forma de afrontamiento cadavérico (AfC) es un factor de distrés asociado con síntomas (asco, vómitos, alteraciones del sueño), con uso de SP e interfiere el proceso educativo. El objetivo fue evaluar la ansiedad en alumnos con afrontamiento cadavérico negativo. Estudio observacional y transversal mediante encuesta a 740 alumnos que incluyó: Escala de Ansiedad ante la muerte -EAM-, Escala de Ansiedad de Hamilton, preguntas sobre SP y se investigaron términos asociados a conceptos ("material cadavérico", "pieza anatómica"). En alumnos con "afrontamiento cadavérico negativo" (AfCN) (EAM<15, miedo alto/medio con MC y reacciones físicas) se aplicó la Escala de Ansiedad de Hamilton. Se aplicaron parámetros estadísticos, significación p<0,05 y requisitos ético-legales. Objetivamos alta y sostenida prevalencia de alumnos con AfCN, que presentaron mayor puntaje de ansiedad y prevalencia de uso de SP (los ansiolíticos con mayor prevalencia que las sustancias excitatorias); se registró correlación entre cantidad de SP y grado de reacciones negativas (r=0,86). La ansiedad psíquica fue mayor y se asoció con el grado de miedo. Ratificamos alta prevalencia de AfCN que se asoció con mayor nivel de ansiedad y uso de SP, principalmente ansiolíticos. Los síntomas de ansiedad se asociaron con las dimensiones conceptuales registradas y tienen impacto en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.

In preliminary studies we describe the clinical importance and pedagogical impact of the study with cadaverous material (MC) in Anatomy students and we found a significant using of psychoactive substances (SP), mainly repeating students and/or students with work activities. The form of cadaveric coping (AfC) is a factor of distress associated with symptoms (disgust, vomiting, sleep disturbances), with the use of SP and interferes with the educational process. The objective was to evaluate the anxiety in students with negative cadaveric coping. Observational and cross-sectional study by means of a survey of 740 students that included: Anxiety Scale against death -EAM-, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, questions about SP, and terms related to concepts ("cadaverous material", "anatomical piece") were investigated. In students with "negative cadaveric coping" (AfCN) (EAM <15, high / medium fear with CM and physical reactions) the Hamilton Anxiety Scale was applied. Statistical parameters, significance p <0.05 and ethical-legal requirements were applied. We aimed at high and sustained prevalence of students with AfCN, who presented higher scores of anxiety and prevalence of SP use (anxiolytics with higher prevalence than excitatory substances); correlation was recorded between the amount of SP and the degree of negative reactions (r = 0.86). The psychic anxiety was greater and was associated with the degree of fear. We confirmed a high prevalence of AfCN that was associated with a higher level of anxiety and use of SP, mainly anxiolytics. The symptoms of anxiety were associated with the registered conceptual dimensions and have an impact on the teachinglearning process.

Social media and cadaveric dissection: A survey study.

The use of social media opens content to the general public and, as a result, places images of cadaveric dissection in an open forum. This raises the question: should the general public have access to such material? A survey was conducted examining whether the general public should have access to gross cadaveric dissection images and videos for educational purposes via social media. Both medical and laypersons were queried. Questions included in the survey considered whether images were too graphic, whether online cadaveric content should be age-restricted, and whether consent by the deceased was necessary. A link to the survey was accessible to 63,562 followers through the Seattle Science Foundation's Facebookpage for 3 weeks. Among 300 responders, 89% (267/300) agreed that portrayals of cadaveric specimens/dissection on social media should be accessible by the general public for anatomical education, and 84.67% (254/300) stated that cadaveric dissection is not too graphic for untrained eyes. There was agreement by 60.33% (181/300) that an age restriction should be in place for the viewing of cadaveric dissection on social media, and 39.33% (253/300) of responders suggested restriction to 18 years and older. No statistically significant association was noted between a prior or current history of anatomy education and the frequency of positive responses to the survey questions. Social media is an innovative tool for dispensing anatomical education. The use of cadaveric images and videos provides accessibility to the general public who wish to learn more about human anatomy and their own body. Clin. Anat. 32:1033-1041, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sharing personal information about anatomical body donors: What first-year medical students want to know and how it affects emotional responses to dissection.

Among educators who teach in the human anatomy laboratory, there has been lively debate about sharing information about anatomical donors. One consideration in this debate is concern about the emotional effect of personalizing donors on the students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate student responses to being exposed to donor information (DI). Three cohorts of first-year medical students (n = 284) were surveyed at four time points throughout the year. Surveys queried students about positive and negative responses to working in the laboratory, wanting to know specific DI, and if knowing this DI would/did affect their responses to working with donors. Analyses examined the relationships between desire to know DI and indices of the following: positive response index (PRI), negative response index (NRI), avoid-approach index (AAI), and compassion-respect index. Across all surveys, a majority of respondents wanted to know some form of DI. At all time points, a majority of respondents felt that knowing all types of DI would increase their positive responses to working with donors. A greater PRI and AAI tended to be associated with wanting to know more personal DI (e.g., names and personal histories). A greater NRI tended to be associated with anticipating that learning personal DI would increase their negative responses before entering the laboratory, which did not persist after dissection began. These data suggest that for a majority of students, knowing personal DI increases their positive response and does not elicit negative responses to dissection or working with anatomical donors. Clin. Anat. 32:1019-1032, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of an Educational Film About Body Donors on Students' Empathy and Anxiety Levels in Gross Anatomy.

While most German anatomy institutes provide only limited information about body donors and their lives, students have expressed a desire to learn more about these individuals, especially about their motivations to donate their bodies for the sake of medical education. In order to gratify this wish, as well as to further humanize body donors, an educational film was compiled, and a study designed to capture the film's effects on medical students. This is the first study using standardized, validated psychological tools to evaluate the impact of an educational film about body donors on students' empathy and psychological stress levels. The study followed a longitudinal, controlled, and cluster randomized design, including 77 (48 females/29 males) participants who watched the video either before, midway, or after the dissection course. Questionnaires were completed at four points in time applying the Jefferson Scale for Empathy (JSPE-S) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to measure empathy. Psychological stress levels were recorded by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Overall, students recommended the film to be shown to all students (median 6.0; maximum on the six-point Likert scale). Viewing the film revealed no significant changes between study groups or over time in JSPE-S sum scores. All groups demonstrated a significant reduction of BSI values before the dissection course actually started and increased values during the course, but both developments appeared not to be associated with the intervention. Overall, the educational film did not correlate with any negative effects on students' empathy and psychological stress levels, and it was strongly approved of by students, as it provided more humanizing personal information about body donors without violating their anonymity.

Attitudes and Responses of Medical Students and Professional Anatomists to Dissecting Different Regions of the Body.

Although there have been many studies assessing emotional responses of medical students to the dissecting room experience, little is known about whether dissecting particular regions of the human body cause more concern than others. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted on the concerns of professional anatomists. In this study, we assessed the hypothesis that medical students are more concerned about the dissection of the face, the perineum and the extremities of the limbs. We also hypothesized that there are gender differences. For the reactions of a group of professional anatomists from the United States and Europe we hypothesized that they were less concerned than the medical students and showed no differences across the regions of the body. The hypotheses were tested by means of questionnaires distributed to medical students at Cardiff University and at the Descartes Paris University who had recently completed their anatomy courses and to anatomists working at universities in Europe and the USA. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ethical committees at the Cardiff School of Biosciences and at Paris and all data was obtained by consent of the respondents and remained confidential. The findings were complex, although the level of concern was low overall. Some regional differences were discerned, particularly concerning the face, the perineum, the hand and the female chest. Anatomists were less concerned than the students and female students and female anatomists showed more concern than their male counterparts. Few differences were discerned however between student respondents who had positive and neutral attitudes to gender "politics" and those who espoused negative views. We recommend that, at the start of an anatomy dissection course, time is spent dealing with sensitive issues (including equality and diversity issues), emotional responses, and matters pertaining to mortality. However, we argue that this should not involve hiding regions of the body, nor overreacting to the natural anxiety of students, since doing either of these things could enhance negative reactions and stifle the progress of the student from being a layperson to a competent healthcare professional. Clin. Anat. 32:253-267, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anxiety among Medical Students when Faced with the Practice of Anatomical Dissection.

Practical training in the dissection of human cadavers is a fundamental and traditional component of human anatomy education in medical schools. This practice, however, can be stressful for students and can generate a certain amount of anxiety. The aim of this study is to explore the attitudes, reactions, and anxiety levels of first-year medical students when working in the dissecting room, over a period of one year, and to relate these anxiety levels to the results of our educational program. This is a before and after descriptive study of students at the University of Castilla-La-Mancha. Questionnaires were distributed among them before and after their dissection practices in order to understand their feelings and emotions and their satisfaction about this activity. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires were used to assess the students' 'state anxiety' (SA), which dropped significantly from 49.1% to 14% by the end of their first year. Female students started with higher levels of SA than their male counterparts but by the end of the year these had dropped to similar levels. Anxiety and fearful thoughts tended to drop (P > 0.05). In contrast, uncertainty levels showed significant changes, falling from 44.4% to 12.3%. Nonetheless, 100% of students would go through the experience again. Indeed, 98.2% considered that dissection practices were useful in reinforcing the theoretical aspects of their education, and 80.7% believed that dissecting was more useful than theoretical models. Although students were satisfied with dissection practices the experience cause stressful responses.

Publications relating to the reactions of medical students to human cadavers and ethics / Publicaciones relacionadas con las reacciones de los estudiantes médicos hacia cadáveres humanos y ética / Publicações relacionadas com as reações dos estudantes de medicina à cadáveres humanos e ética

Objectives: Faculty of Medicine students are practicing on a human cadaver in the course of education especially in Anatomy lessons. There are some physical, emotional, and ethical problems that students have experienced with participation in these lessons. In some publications we have reviewed issues regarding these, we aimed to reveal whether ethical issues are being addressed. Methods: We conducted literature searches by writing the clues "Publications relating to the Faculty of Medicine student's reactions to cadavers lessons and ethics" on search engines on the internet. By examining the articles obtained, we investigated whether students are experiencing problems, especially on ethics. Results: 28 articles (90.3%) were original research, 2 (6.4%) were reviews and 1 (3.2%) was a book. Only 6 out of these studies (19.3%) have addressed ethical issues. In our research, quite a few publications (19.3%) have been found that dealt with ethical problems in cadaver lessons. Human body dissection during an anatomy course for the first-year medical students raises questions about invasion of privacy, cadaver sources, dying, and death. Conclusion: Detailed reviews of the situations that causes ethical problems in the studies to be done in this direction are thought to be beneficial to the medical faculties students education.

Objetivos: Los estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina practican con cadáveres humanos para la educación, especialmente en lecciones de Anatomía. Existen varios problemas emocionales, físicos y éticos que experimentan los estudiantes al participar en estas lecciones. Después de revisar publicaciones que tratan este tema, nuestro objetivo es evaluar si se abordan los temas éticos. Métodos: Realizamos búsquedas en la literatura mediante motores en internet usando las palabras clave: "Publicaciones relacionadas con las reacciones de estudiantes de Facultad de Medicina a lecciones que usan cadáveres y ética". Al examinar los artículos que se obtuvieron, investigamos si los estudiantes experimentaban problemas, especialmente de ética. Resultados: 28 artículos (90,3%) eran investigaciones originales, 2 (6,4%) eran revisiones y 1 (3,2%) fue un libro. Solamente 6 de estos estudios (19,3 %) abordaban temas éticos en relación con lecciones usando cadáveres. La disección del cuerpo humano en cursos de anatomía de estudiantes de medicina de primer año produce cuestionamientos sobre invasión de privacidad, origen de los cadáveres, el morir y la muerte. Conclusión: La revisión detallada de las situaciones que causan problemas éticos en los estudios a realizar en esta dirección se cree que son beneficiosos para la educación de los estudiantes en las facultades de medicina.

Objetivos: Estudantes de medicina estão praticando ensinamentos em cadáveres humano no curso de graduação, especialmente nas aulas de anatomia. Existem algumas questões físicas, emocionais e éticos que os estudantes têm experimentado ao participar em essas aulas. Em algumas publicações, que nós analisamos estas questões, tivemos como objetivo revelar se questões éticas estavam sendo abordadas. Métodos: Nós conduzimos pesquisas de literatura, buscando em endereços eletrônico de busca por "Publicações relativas à reações de estudantes de medicina a experimentos com cadáveres e ética". Examinando os artigos obtidos, investigamos se os alunos estão enfrentando problemas, especialmente com relação a ética. Resultados: 28 artigos (90,3%) eram pesquisas originais, 2 (6,4%) foram resenhas e 1 (3,2%) um livro. Somente 6 destes estudos (19,3%) abordaram questões éticas. Em nossa pesquisa, foram encontradas várias publicações (19,3%) que tratam de problemas éticos nas lições de cadáver. Dissecação do corpo humano durante um curso de anatomia para estudantes de medicina do primeiro ano levanta questões sobre invasão de privacidade, fontes de cadáver, morrer e morte. Conclusão: Revisões detalhadas das situações que provoca problemas éticos nos estudos são considerados benéficos para o ensino de medicina

Emotional experiences of medical students during cadaver dissection and the role of memorial ceremonies: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: It has been well reported that the emotional experiences of medical students in the gross anatomy laboratory could have significant impacts on their professional identity formation. This qualitative study aimed to investigate students' emotions towards cadaver dissection and the educational role of memorial ceremonies. METHODS: A total of 37 students from eight teams were recruited in the team-based dissection course during two consecutive academic years (2016 and 2017) at one medical school. In focus group interviews, students were encouraged to express and discuss their emotions regarding cadaver dissection and memorial ceremonies. RESULTS: The participants described their apprehension and anxiety during their first encounter with cadavers that diminished through gradual exposure. Unfortunately, their positive emotions such as gratitude and responsibility also tended to decline under the pressure of excessive workloads and frequent examinations. Memorial ceremonies, including not only large-scale events but also daily rituals, had educational effects that they prevented the decline of students' responsibility and respect during the dissection course. CONCLUSION: Educators should assist medical students in overcoming their initial distress and maintaining respectful attitudes throughout the dissection course. Memorial ceremonies can be effective educational tools for fostering appropriate attitudes and ethical practice in the gross anatomy laboratory.