Cadavers as teachers in medical education: knowledge is the ultimate gift of body donors

Prakash, Prabhu LV, Rai R, D'Costa S, Jiji PJ, Singh G
Correspondence: Dr Prakash, prakashrinku@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT
In most of the medical colleges in India, unclaimed bodies from various mortuaries reach the dissection hall; and here, the body donors club has yet to gain the desired dimensions. In spite of all the adverse circumstances, the cadaver and the dissection both have survived the most rigorous test of pedagological fitness--the test of time. Today, many of the Western countries have long donor waiting lists where cadavers are acquired as anatomical gifts or through body donor programmes. Thailand's approach to body donors offers a role model for resolving the present situation. The spirit of volunteerism reflects the drastic shift in public perception and a global change in approach is needed in the present time.

Keywords: anatomy, cadaver, dissection, donors, medical education
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(3): 186–190