Background. The autopsy is an educational experience that helps studen
ts correlate clinical findings with basic science issues; Because of t
he sensitive nature of the autopsy, students' attitudes should be cons
idered prior to its design and implementation. Method. In 1992-1993, a
ll 147 second-year students at the Medical College of Ohio completed a
26-item Likert questionnaire about their attitudes toward the autopsy
, After participating in an elective autopsy experience; 26 students c
ompleted the same questionnaire plus 18 additional questions about the
environment and behavior oi the pathologist. Pre- and post-autopsy re
sponses were factor analyzed using principal-components analysis with
a varimax rotation. Student's t tests were used to compare (1) the pre
-autopsy factor scores of the elective participants and the rest of th
e class and (2) the pre- and post-autopsy scores of the participants.
Results. Factor analysis of the attitude questions identified seven fa
ctors. Comparison of the pre- and I-rest-autopsy scores of the electiv
e participants revealed statistically significant positive increases o
n four factors; three factors remained positive or neutral. Conclusion
. It was concluded that the autopsy elective had a positive influence
on the students' attitudes. In addition, the pathologist's behavior an
d the environment in which the autopsy occurred influenced the student
s. Twenty-two (85%) of the students indicated the autopsy should be ma
ndatory for all students.