Examining the usefulness of cadavers in human anatomy classes : a student's perspective.

Students have not been involved in the decision to use cadavers in undergraduate-level gross human anatomy classes. This study examines five different aspects (learning, pathology appreciation, emotional impact, safety, and healthcare profession) of the learning experience, investigating opinions regarding the usefulness of cadavers from students enrolled in cadaver and non-cadaver based courses in Oklahoma City metropolitan area institutions. A Likert Scale conversion was applied to 12 statements to form a score reflecting the level of positive opinion on usefulness of cadavers in human anatomy courses. For five statements the opinion of students from both cadaver and non-cadaver courses reflected a positive view of cadaver usefulness. For five statements the students of cadaver courses had significantly more positive opinions of cadaver use than students of non-cadaver courses. The other two statements reflected a less positive view of cadaver usefulness from both groups of students