Medical Students' Perceptions regarding autopsy as an educational tool

Aim: To determine the cognizance and viewpoint of medical students regarding the autopsy and the subject of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. Study design: The study design is observational cross-sectional study. Place of study: Rai Medical College, Sargodha Methods: MBBS 3rd year Students were analyzed before and after autopsy examination after completing the autopsy visits of MBBS 3rd year students with the dedicated members of the faculty, were participated in the study to share their views and perception regarding the subject on an especially designed questionnaire with 5-point Likert scale. Perception of the students regarding autopsy examination usefulness of the subject in medical education, their personal distaste for the procedure; staff attitudes; and exploration of alternative teaching methods. The data was analyzed to determine simple frequency distribution and mode of the students' responses. The difference between male and female students' responses was calculated by using student t tests. All analyses were carried out using SPSS Version 22. Results: Students perceptions revealed that autopsy is very essential part of medical education and substitutes of it like videos and printed material can not be helpful in understanding of medicolegal and judicial and medical correlations. Teaching staff and supportive staff attitude is quite helpful in learning process. Advanced equipment for medicolegal autopsy is essential as compared to old one. Visit to the scene of crime by forensic autopsy surgeon is very essential component in an investigation. Conclusion: Value able learning skills based on autopsy, legal, judicial procedure cannot be academically learnt elsewhere.