Stress and Anxiety Associated with Cadaver Dissection among Medical Students at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Practical training in cadaver dissection is an essential part of human anatomy education in medical schools. This training, however, can be stressful for students and can produce stress and anxiety. Objective: This study aims to explore the stress and anxiety levels of preclinical medical students when working in dissecting rooms. Method: This is a case-control study of preclinical medical students at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Questionnaires were distributed among them to understand their feelings and emotions. Appraisal of Life Event (ALE) dimensions (threat, challenge, and loss) questionnaires were used to assess the stress of the participants. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires were used to assess the students’ state anxiety (SA) and a brief resilience scale (BR S) questionnaire was used to assess the student’s level of resilience. Result: The participants obtained a mean score of 17.73(5.11) out of 30, 12.69 (5.13) out of 30, and 13.55(3.82) out of 20 on the threat, challenge, and loss dimensions of the ALE scale, respectively in the case group and 11.56(7.78) out of 30, 16.37(5.04) out of 30 and 6.71(4.82) out of 20 on the threat, challenge and loss in control groups. Also, the study found that 79(63.7%), 24(19.4%), and 21(16.9%) of participants experienced high, low, and moderate levels of anxiety respectively in case groups and 37(41.1%), 17(18.9%) and 36(40%) of participants experienced high, low and moderate level of anxiety in control groups. Regarding resilience level, 26(21.0%), 39(31.5%), and 59(47.6%) of participants had high, low, and normal resilience levels respectively in the case group and 51(56.7%) and 39(43.3%) of the participant had normal and low resilience level in control groups with no high resilience. Conclusion: The finding revealed that the exposure to a cadaver dissection was highly stressful and anxious especially for those who exposed on the case groups than control groups. Recommendation: Thus, preparing a continuous psychological training program play a great role to protect preclinical medical students from stress and anxiety towards cadaver dissection.