Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Running a Body Donation Program

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teaching Anatomy

Abstract

A reduction in the time devoted to dissecting or examining prosections has been reported by many authors. However, the importance of direct dissection in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical/surgical education and training must be stressed. The availability of anatomical material, together with its correct, effective management in education/training sessions, can only be ensured by well-organized, standardized body donation programs. The main aspects to consider in setting up such programs are legal and ethical references; promotion of body donation and its ethical value; organization of trained staff, including anatomists, technicians, and administrators; facilities for the proper conservation, storage and management in education/training sessions of anatomical material; details of all main and supportive processes of the program, with particular reference to the diffusion of information and acquisition of donors’ consent. In the experience of the Body Donation Program of the University of Padova (Italy), the development of a quality management system and achievement of certification is useful in improving efficiency and quality and stimulating continual improvement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Monkhouse WS. Anatomy and the medical school curriculum. Lancet. 1992;340:834–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Turney BW. Anatomy in a modern medical curriculum. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007;89:104–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Moxham BJ, Plaisant O. Perception of medical students towards the clinical relevance of anatomy. Clin Anat. 2007;20:560–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Drake RL, McBride JM, Lachman N, Pawlina W. Medical education in the anatomical sciences: the winds of change continue to blow. Anat Sci Educ. 2009;2:253–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Barton DP, Davies DC, Mahadevan V, Dennis L, Adib T, Mudan S, Sohaib A, Ellis H. Dissection of soft-preserved cadavers in the training of gynaecological oncologists: report of the first UK workshop. Gynecol Oncol. 2009;113:352–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. McLachlan JC, Bligh J, Bradley P, Searle J. Teaching anatomy without cadavers. Med Educ. 2004;38:418–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Reed AB, Crafton C, Giglia JS, Hutto JD. Back to basics: use of fresh cadavers in vascular surgery training. Surgery. 2009;146:757–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Feigl G, Kos I, Anderhuber F, Guyot JP, Fasel J. Development of surgical skill with singular neurectomy using human cadaveric temporal bones. Ann Anat. 2008;190:316–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McHanwell S, Brenner E, Chirculescu AR, Drukker J, van Mameren H, Mazzotti G, Pais D, Paulsen F, Plaisant O, Caillaud MM, Laforêt E, Riederer BM, Sañudo JR, Bueno-López JL, Doñate-Oliver F, Sprumont P, Teofilovski-Parapid G, Moxham BJ. The legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe – A review of current practice and recommendations for good practice. Eur J Anat. 2008;12:1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Riederer BM, Bolt S, Brenner E, Bueno-Lopez JL, Chirculescu AR, Davies DC, De Caro R, Gerrits PO, McHanwell S, Pais D, Paulsen F, Plaisant O, Sendemir E, Stabile I, Moxham BJ. The legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe – 1st update on current practice. Eur J Anat. 2012;16:13–33.

    Google Scholar 

  11. De Caro R, Macchi V, Porzionato A. Promotion of body donation and use of cadavers in anatomical education at the University of Padova. Anat Sci Educ. 2009;2:91–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Jones DG, Whitaker MI. Anatomy’s use of unclaimed bodies: reasons against continued dependence on an ethically dubious practice. Clin Anat. 2012;25:246–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. National Committee for Bioethics of the Italian Government. Donazione del corpo post mortem a fini di studio e di ricerca. 2013. http://www.governo.it/bioetica/pareri_abstract/Donazione_cadavere_ricerca_20052013.pdf

  14. Human Tissue Act 2004. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/30/contents

  15. Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (2006, last revised or amended in 2009). http://www.uniformlaws.org/shared/docs/anatomical_gift/uaga_final_aug09.pdf

  16. Macchi V, Porzionato A, Stecco C, Tiengo C, Parenti A, Cestrone A, De Caro R. Body parts removed during surgery: a useful training source. Anat Sci Educ. 2011;4:151–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Richardson R, Hurwitz B. Donors’ attitudes towards body donation for dissection. Lancet. 1995;346:277–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. McClea K. The Bequest Programme at the University of Otago: cadavers donated for clinical anatomy teaching. N Z Med J. 2008;121:72–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhang L, Wang Y, Xiao M, Han Q, Ding J. An ethical solution to the challenges in teaching anatomy with dissection in the Chinese culture. Anat Sci Educ. 2008;1:56–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. McClea K, Stringer MD. The profile of body donors at the Otago School of Medical Sciences–has it changed? N Z Med J. 2010;123:9–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bolt S, Venbrux E, Eisinga R, Kuks JB, Veening JG, Gerrits PO. Motivation for body donation to science: more than an altruistic act. Ann Anat. 2010;192:70–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rokade SA, Gaikawad AP. Body donation in India: social awareness, willingness, and associated factors. Anat Sci Educ. 2012;5:83–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Armstrong GT. Age: an indicator of willingness to donate? J Transpl Coord. 1996;6:171–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Boulware LE, Ratner LE, Sosa JA, Cooper LA, LaVeist TA, Powe NR. Determinants of willingness to donate living related and cadaveric organs: identifying opportunities for intervention. Transplantation. 2002;73:1683–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Alashek W, Ehtuish E, Elhabashi A, Emberish W, Mishra A. Reasons for unwillingness of Libyans to donate organs after death. Libyan J Med. 2009;4:110–3.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Park JT, Jang Y, Park MS, Pae C, Park J, Hu KS, Park JS, Han SH, Koh KS, Kim HJ. The trend of body donation for education based on Korean social and religious culture. Anat Sci Educ. 2011;4:33–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. da Rocha AO, Tormes DA, Lehmann N, Schwab RS, Canto RT. The body donation program at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre: a successful experience in Brazil. Anat Sci Educ. 2013;6:199–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hafferty FW. Into the valley: death and the socialization of medical students. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Bertman SL, Marks Jr SC. Humanities in medical education: rationale and resources for the dissection laboratory. Med Educ. 1985;19:374–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Segal DA. A patient so dead: American medical students and their cadavers. Anthropol Q. 1988;61:17–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Winkelmann A, Güldner FH. Cadavers as teachers: the dissecting room experience in Thailand. Br Med J. 2004;329:1455–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lin SC, Hsu J, Fan VY. “Silent virtuous teachers”: anatomical dissection in Taiwan. Br Med J. 2009;339:b5001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Morris K, Turell MB, Ahmed S, Ghazi A, Vora S, Lane M, Entigar LD. The 2003 anatomy ceremony: a service of gratitude. Yale J Biol Med. 2002;75:323–9.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Pawlina W, Hammer RR, Strauss JD, Heath SG, Zhao KD, Sahota S, Regnier TD, Freshwater DR, Feeley MA. The hand that gives the rose. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86:139–44.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kooloos JG, Bolt S, van der Straaten J, Ruiter DJ. An altar in honor of the anatomical gift. Anat Sci Educ. 2010;3:323–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Delmas V. Donation of bodies to science. Bull Natl Acad Med. 2001;185:849–56.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Tutsch H. An odorless, well-preserving injectable solution for cadavers used in classes. Anat Anz. 1975;138:126–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Thiel W. The preservation of the whole corpse with natural color. Ann Anat. 1992;174:185–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Thiel W. Supplement to the conservation of an entire cadaver according to W. Thiel Ann Anat. 2002;184:267–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Porzionato A, Macchi V, Stecco C, Mazzi A, Rambaldo A, Sarasin G, Parenti A, Scipioni A, De Caro R. Quality management of body donation program at the University of Padova. Anat Sci Educ. 2012;5:264–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Porzionato A, Macchi V, Parenti A, De Caro R. Vein of Galen aneurysm: anatomical study of an adult autopsy case. Clin Anat. 2004;17:458–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Riederer BM. Plastination and its importance in teaching anatomy. Critical points for long-term preservation of human tissue. J Anat. 2014;224(3):309–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Macchi V, Feltrin G, Parenti A, De Caro R. Diaphragmatic sulci and portal fissures. J Anat. 2003;202:303–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Macchi V, Porzionato A, Parenti A, Macchi C, Newell R, De Caro R. Main accessory sulcus of the liver. Clin Anat. 2005;18:39–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Martínez-Pardo ME, Mariano-Magaña D. The tissue bank at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares: ISO 9001:2000 certification of its quality management system. Cell Tissue Bank. 2007;8:221–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Toniolo M, Camposampiero D, Griffoni C, Jones GL. Quality management in European eye banks. Dev Ophthalmol. 2009;43:70–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Beholz S, Konertz W. Improvement in cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction by a quality management system according to EN ISO 9001:2000. Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg. 2005;4:569–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Karle H, Gordon D. Quality standards in medical education. Lancet. 2007;370:1828.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Gordon D, Christensen L, Dayrit M, Dela F, Karle H, Mercer H. Educating health professionals: the Avicenna project. Lancet. 2008;371:966–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Dieter PE. Quality management of medical education at the Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology Dresden. Germany Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2008;37:1038–40.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Da Dalt L, Callegaro S, Mazzi A, Scipioni A, Lago P, Chiozza ML, Zacchello F, Perilongo G. A model of quality assurance and quality improvement for post-graduate medical education in Europe. Med Teach. 2010;32:e57–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. ISO. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems: Requirements. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization; 2008. http://www.isorequirements.com/iso_9001_requirements.html

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Andrea Porzionato MD, PhD, Veronica Macchi MD, PhD, Carla Stecco MD & Raffaele De Caro MD

Authors
  1. Andrea Porzionato MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Veronica Macchi MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carla Stecco MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Raffaele De Caro MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raffaele De Caro MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Lap Ki Chan

  2. Department of Anatomy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Wojciech Pawlina

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Porzionato, A., Macchi, V., Stecco, C., De Caro, R. (2015). Running a Body Donation Program. In: Chan, L., Pawlina, W. (eds) Teaching Anatomy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08930-0_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08930-0_20

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-08929-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-08930-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation