Use of cadavers to train surgeons: what are the ethical issues? — body donor perspective

Newly bereaved relatives, elderly people who have been married for decades and suddenly find themselves widowed, often say to me that respecting their spouse’s wishes by facilitating the donation process is ‘the last thing I can do for him/her’, and ‘I’ll grieve later but I’ve got to get this done f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical ethics 2020-07, Vol.46 (7), p.476-476
Main Authors: Walker, Tracy A, James, Hannah K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
attitudes toward death
Bioethics
Blood & organ donations
Cadaver
Commentary
education for health care professionals
ethics
Humans
Medical education
Medical ethics
Medical students
Professional ethics
Professionals
Surgeons
Tissue Donors
Training
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Summary:Newly bereaved relatives, elderly people who have been married for decades and suddenly find themselves widowed, often say to me that respecting their spouse’s wishes by facilitating the donation process is ‘the last thing I can do for him/her’, and ‘I’ll grieve later but I’ve got to get this done for him’. Most donors do not mind what their body is used for, be that anatomical dissection by medical students to learn anatomy, or for teaching surgeons to do major operations like knee or hip replacements and trauma surgery following a serious accident. For me, and for most of our prospective donors, it is easy making the decision to donate as the benefit is so clear.
ISSN:0306-6800
1473-4257
DOI:10.1136/medethics-2019-105998