adjusting to anatomy

[LloydDObler]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am wondering if anyone reading this has ever struggled with working with cadavers. I had no cadaver exposure during my undergrad and my first (and only, thus far) exposure to cadavers was during my interview and subsequent tour of the anatomy lab at KCOM. During one of my interviews I was taken to the lab. There was only one student working, and I was fine during that time. I spoke with the student working and was actually fascinated by the whole deal. However, when the whole group of interviewees went through the lab as part of the tour, a class was in session and all of the cadavers were exposed. I thought I was going to either pass out or freak out. I asked the tour guide if anyone ever struggled with lab, and he quickly and emphatically said "no." I am pretty worried about my reaction to the tour-I have to assume that I will get used to it, but I feel like a bit of a loser for having this reaction in the first place, especially after being told in no certain terms that no one struggles with this. I am not even sure what bothered me so much. I work in surgery frequently and am pretty used to blood and guts. I have never really spent time around a dead person before, let alone lots of them. Anyway, any advice or comments anyone has would be appreciated.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

You will most likely get used to it all within the first week of lab. At my school (ugrad a&p lab) we only have 3 cadavers each semester, but we were allowed to do dissection work if we wanted to during an open lab on Fridays. Honestly by the second week I was so used to it all that I couldn't tell a difference to being inside the lab or outside. I will also say that some of my classmates have not gotten as used to it as I have though, but they usually only come in once a week for the 3 hours of our actual lab class. Also if you have a very bad reaction to the smell of it all you can try rubbing a little Vick's right under your nostils. Some of my more sensitive classmates say it works great for awhile, but you do have to keep applying it throughout the lab because it of course opens your nasal passsages more.

As far as your tour guide saying that "nobody" ever has a problem that's ridiculous. We had a girl pass out in one of our first labs. (I think she was also anemic and hadn't eaten anything that day, but it was partially the formaldehyde too).

Don't worry too much though you will get used to it and survive it...honest! 😀

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[rbassdo]

LloydDObler,

I'm sure your feelings have been shared by many a MS-I. I believe that when it comes time for you to come in close contact with your cadaver, your sense of responsibility - to learn all you can from a body that was donated to you, will overcome any fear or apprehension you have. It's the greatest "textbook" available to med. students and you'll figure that out early. No worries.

 

[jhug]

lloyd,
it is much easier to say don't worry about it than it is to actually not worry-- just know you are NOT alone! I read a super book called "body of knowledge". I bought it at Barnes & Noble for about $12. This book helped my greatly in adjusting to lab and cadaver exposure. Personally, i think this is an issue that isn't discussed enough-- we are just expected to "tough it out" b/c that's what doctors do. Being around a dead body that we are dissecting apart is MUCH different than the rush that comes from SAVING a life in surgery or during trauma. You will notice how different people cope in different ways with this. Some try and laugh it off, telling jokes and trying to lighten the atmosphere. Some get real quiet and easily offended (usually by those laughing). Some treat the body given to them with respect and reverence. But ALL of us have to adjust in our own ways. You are not a loser, you will not fail as a physician b/c you get queezy looking at a dead, dissected body. More likely you are sensitive, thoughtful person who values life and is dedicated to maintaining and prolonging others lives. This is NOTHING to be ashamed/embarrased or regretful of.

 

[Claymore]

Of course, there are many people who initially have problems going into the anatomy lab. But these aversions quickly subside in most cases. This year at CCOM, I know there were a couple of people who got sick during the first week or so of Anatomy, and others who couldn't handle being in the lab without nose plugs. But, after a little while they became pretty used to it (spending 3+ days/week in the lab will desensitize you pretty fast). It is normal to have a reaction such as the one you described, and something not to worry about. You will get over it. Good luck!

MS-1
Midwestern University-CCOM

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

Maybe it will help to know you are not alone. Most schools don't have cadaver labs available for undergrads, so a good chunk of your classmates won't have any experience either. Take the advice other posters have given you.

My first exeprience in the lab made me a little sick to my stomach, most likely due to the fact that my schools doesn't have the greatest ventilation for the enbalming chemicals. Some people will rub a little bit of Vicks Vaporub underneath their nose to mask the smell.

 

[kristing]

We had a whole lecture on getting used to the anatomy lab and prepping for the anatomy lab before we went into the anatomy lab. Our instructor told us some people would be very distressed by the whole thing at first, so we should treat them with compassion. I promise you, there were MANY people on that first day in lab that got pretty wigged out, and a few would get weirded out randomly throughout the year.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and that freak who told you that no one had problems LIED or was IGNORANT.

Good luck to you! (It does get better, I promise)

kristin
AZCOM
MS II

 

[bla_3x]

I am a Histology technician, which means I see a lot of body "parts" every day. A bit disturbing at first, but not too bad, I got used to it. But as I moved on to viewing and assisting with autopsies, man that was different!
I have always thought of myself as a very strong person as far as this thing goes, I really thought it would be a piece of cake and I was stoked. Now, I didn?t pass out, spew, or anything, but I was taken aback with the sight f a ?person? there on the table. There were some serious butterflies in the tummy. And it wasn?t he sight or the smell, which was next to unbearable; it was the idea of that body being there, just being there. I have assisted in many autopsies, and that feeling has never left. Each time we work I sit and find myself just staring for a while, I interact with the person I guess. It helps me to make it feel more ?OK? to invade him/her like we do. It kinda always feels like the first time for me, and I think that that?s a good think, for me.

 

[CoolDOguy]

It is not a big deal. You will find yourself so relaxed around your body. It becomes a weird relationship to say the least. Read the book entitled "Body of Knowledge" before you start school. It will help you with the transition of Gross Anatomy.

 

[hermione]

I notice a lot of people saying that its not a big deal, and I know what you mean by that, I think, and I agree that it gets easier eventually. But I would like to remind the first poster that no matter how "used to" being around your cadaver you get, it IS a big deal. I think its huge that someone though enough of our education to expose themselves in this way. I was really REALLY scared about anatomy lab, but what got me through it was the fact that we had SO much to do in lab that I became very focused on the task, the atlas and the specific area of the body we were working on. I actually had to make myself step back once in a while and remember that this was a person on the table who deserves respect, and not just a body part or a study tool. I think you will be surprised once you get in there and get going at how "automatic" the lab can become. And don't worry, I can almost guarantee you that for every butterfly you feel, there will be a whole bunch more in that room too!

 

[LloydDObler]

Thanks everyone for your input. My sense was that others must have some feelings about this issue, and I appreciate knowing that I am not alone. I will definitely check out the book some of you mentioned.