Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students and Interns toward Forensic Autopsy

Abstract

For centuries, autopsy has been instrumental in establishing the cause of death both in clinical  and Forensic cases. Clinical autopsy has significant role in clinical quality control, clinical auditing and  medical education. Medical student’s knowledge and attitude toward Forensic autopsies influence the  quality of autopsy reports being prepared by them in their professional carriers. A survey was conducted  on 100 medical students and 40 interns to assess their knowledge and attitude toward Forensic autopsy.  Most of the medical students (76% Part I and 90% part II) and interns (60%) found that demonstrations of  the autopsies during their 2nd Prof Practical classes was a learning experience and wished, they could  see more autopsies. However in the present study, majority of the medical students (88% Final Yr. Part I  and 84% Final Yr. Part II) and interns (87%) felt themselves incapable of performing autopsies  independently on becoming physicians. Medical teachers should encourage the medical students to  become more interested in observing Forensic autopsies. It is suggested that problem based learning  during practical training of autopsy must be incorporated as a part of the medical curriculum.