Assessing the perceptions of individuals with differing levels and backgrounds of education towards whole-body donation

Viljoen, Jessi-Kate and Stephens, Shiby 2021. Assessing the perceptions of individuals with differing levels and backgrounds of education towards whole-body donation. Annals of Anatomy 233 , 151604. 10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151604

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Abstract

Introduction The value of learning anatomy through cadaveric dissection is widely acclaimed; however, the demand for cadavers exceeds supply. For the number of donors to increase, there needs to be a broader understanding of what influences an individual’s perception towards whole-body donation. The hypotheses were that individuals with a biomedical background or with higher levels of education would respectively have a more positive perception towards whole-body donation than those with an arts background or less education. Dissection experience was predicted to affect an individual’s perception of whole-body donation negatively. Methods To assess perceptions of whole-body donation, an online questionnaire was created consisting of statements developed using Thurstone and Chave’s method. After ethical approval, the survey was distributed to students, academics, businesses and charities. Responses were allocated a mean score based on agreed statements. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess significance. Results Significant difference in scores of individuals with biomedical science education compared to those with an arts education (P = 0.028, U = 39). No significant difference in scores of individuals with and without dissection experience (P = 0.394, U = 654.5). A significant difference in scores of postgraduates compared to graduates (P = 0.036, U = 13.5). Conclusion Individuals with a biomedical science education reflected a significantly higher positive perception of whole-body donation in comparison to individuals with an arts background. Although postgraduates had a significantly higher positive perception of whole-body donation compared to graduates, there was no trend between level of education and score. Individuals with dissection experience didn’t have a more negative perception of whole-body donation. Abbreviations RCSRoyal College of SurgeonsBABachelor of ArtsBScBachelor of ScienceMBBSBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of SurgeryPhDDoctorateBiomedBiomedical science Keywords Whole-bodyDonationDissectionPerceptionBiomedicalArtsEducation

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0940-9602
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 October 2020
Date of Acceptance:	26 August 2020
Last Modified:	05 May 2023 09:31
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/136060

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