Do doctors do practicals on corpses?

[aussienerd]

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i think they're called cadavers? i think it would be cool

[mesbaz]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

i think they're called cadavers? i think it would be cool

My dad said he did at medical school. Totally put me off. But he went to uni overseas, so not sure if it happens in Australia.

[Kwayera]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

i think they're called cadavers? i think it would be cool

Yes, yes and yes. You even study cadavers in non-medicine anatomy courses.

[aussienerd]

or do they like doing practicals on you?

[Wooz]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

or do they like doing practicals on you?

We use cadavers just to examine anatomical form and function of various bodily systems. For practicals we have both computerised, laboratory, and clinical skills e.g. ng tubes, cannulas , etc which are taught at hospital on manikins & real patients (in second year-). However, in first year you get to learn basic physical examinations: respiratory, BP, Gastro, etc. NO surgical practicals are undertaken on cadavers by medical students in NSW, due to the scarcity of donations and universal precautions.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

we have a dissecting room at monash university and we started dissecting in second semester. theres about 1 body per tutorial group of 15-20 and you do the dissection in pairs. e.g. 2 ppl do the axilla in week 1, 2 ppl do the upper arm in week 2, 2 ppl do the forearm in week 3 etc. they dont force you to do it so you can pass and those that do want it can do it again. the dissecting room is for med 1st and 2nd years only and you can go in at any time on ur own to dissect. you just need to make sure theres a tutor/staff around to supervise. we also have pots where our lecturer has already dissected the human material and you can just look at it. and compare to a labelled photo so you can identify all the anatomical structures etc.

[aussienerd]

that is very cool im willing to put in 11 15 years to become a doctor

[A Stone Monkey]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

that is very cool im willing to put in 11 15 years to become a doctor

To obtain a medical degree, it doesn't take that long.

The handling of cadavers is regulated by the Anatomy Act 1977, and the legislation (ANATOMY ACT 1977) is all very technical and long-winded.

Initially, you have prosections, in addition to textbooks and online resources for anatomy; and, usually, you don't get to do a dissections until much later, like, third year.

Rarely ever, if ever, do practicals involve extant students, with informed consent, unless you're referring to students getting familiar with superficial anatomy - and limited visceral anatomy.

[getintomedicine]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

i think they're called cadavers? i think it would be cool

The study of anatomy at UNSW involves regular sessions in the dissecting room, examining cadavers. Despite the name of the room, medical students do not do any dissecting. (The specimens are dissected by anatomists.) The cadavers and the smell of formalin are somewhat confronting to many first-year students, but most soon realise that using cadavers is essential for understanding anatomy.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

yeh, the legislation is different in victoria and NSW. students dont get to do dissections in NSW in 1st year but they are allowed in Victoria. all the more reason to come to monash!!! XD

[aussienerd]

is it normal for me not to be put off by this thread?

[Epacepac]

more like, cute that you'd ask

[ashllis92]

Originally Posted by aussienerd

is it normal for me not to be put off by this thread?

No but it's not normal to want to study medicine so you can essentially "cut up dead pplz YAYA"... Trust me, I don't even study med (yet) but I know you will be sorely disappointed and will have taken someones university place who really really wanted it to be a doctor, not to cut up dead people.

Also in reply to the comment about the smell of formalin, it's not that bad really...

[Wooz]

Originally Posted by ashllis92

No but it's not normal to want to study medicine so you can essentially "cut up dead pplz YAYA"... Trust me, I don't even study med (yet) but I know you will be sorely disappointed and will have taken someones university place who really really wanted it to be a doctor, not to cut up dead people.

Also in reply to the comment about the smell of formalin, it's not that bad really...

It's not normal unless you want to go to UNSW and do other prohibited stuff to cadavers, lol

You get used to formalin, formaldehyde, etc after a few lab sessions, I barely even notice it now.

[ashllis92]

I was actually saying that formalin doesn't bother me now because I work essentially up to my elbows in the stuff already...
In what way is the stuff at UNSW illegal? I was planning on going there (ATAR permitting)