Questionnaire Based Survey on Medicolegal Autopsy among Medical Students in Sikkim

Authors

  • Karma Mingur Diki Bhutia
  • Sankha Subhra Debbarma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i3.18242

Keywords:

Knowledge; attitude; perception, Survey; medicolegal autopsy.

Abstract

Background: Contemplating the curriculum of an Indian Medical Undergraduate, demonstration of autopsy
is still considered to be the cornerstone in Forensic Medicine. Medicolegal autopsy has always been perceived
negatively by the public either due to their religious beliefs or due to their preconceived notions or fear. Considering
these prejudices, a study was undertaken not only to assess the knowledge, attitude & perception of a medical
undergraduate but also to understand the reflection of these societal stigma on a medical student.
Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was done on 200 medical students pursuing medicine in SMIMS,
Gangtok, Sikkim who participated voluntarily in the study wherein structured questionnaire in google form was
distributed through google link validated through their mail i.d. & registration number.
Results: Out of 191 medical students, the number of students were predominantly females with the ratio of 1:1.30
(M: F). 87.96% of the students knew that the medicolegal autopsy is done in all sudden, suspicious & unexpected
death. 90.05% strongly affirmed that the medicolegal autopsy ascertains the cause of death. The spectrum of ease
with which the students watched the autopsy was almost along the same wavelength, 27.75% students were
comfortable, 25.13% were uncomfortable, 17.80% were indifferent while 29.32% were not yet exposed (due to
online teaching). Majority of students (93.72%) are interested in watching watch more of postmortem examination.
Conclusions: The attitude of the students were optimistic towards autopsy & awareness among the participants
was found to be acceptable. However, there were still a lot of grey areas that needed to be addressed.

Author Biographies

  • Karma Mingur Diki Bhutia

    1Associate Professor,  Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of
    Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, 5th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok Sikkim.

  • Sankha Subhra Debbarma

    Tutor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, 5th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok Sikkim.

Downloads

Published

2022-07-04

How to Cite

Questionnaire Based Survey on Medicolegal Autopsy among Medical Students in Sikkim. (2022). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 16(3), 22-25. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i3.18242