Anderson R E, Hill R B
Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
Am J Clin Pathol. 1989 Oct;92(4 Suppl 1):S31-7.
As viewed by pathology chairmen, the primary reasons for the decline in interest in the autopsy are: (1) a feeling among physicians that everything is known about the case; (2) poor education of medical students and clinical house staff concerning the importance of the autopsy, which carries over to the practitioner; and (3) lack of interest on the part of pathologists. Negative attitudes on the part of clinicians were seen as the primary factor that serves to inhibit enthusiasm for the autopsy on the part of pathology house staff. Lack of prompt and appropriate communication with the attending physician and uneven quality of prosectors are seen as major inhibitors to successful autopsy services. Chairmen of departments of pathology support an approximate doubling of the autopsy rate in their institutions (from 30% to 64%), although 42.5% of chairmen had not discussed their wishes concerning autopsy with the next of kin and only 42% regularly attend gross conference. These perceptions are remarkably similar to those provided by chairmen of departments of medicine and surgery as a part of a previous survey. On the basis of these inputs, several recommendations designed to improve the local emphasis on the autopsy service are provided.
据病理学系主任们的看法，对尸检兴趣下降的主要原因如下：（1）医生们觉得对病例已了如指掌；（2）医学生和临床住院医生对尸检重要性的教育不足，这种情况一直延续到从业者身上；（3）病理学家缺乏兴趣。临床医生的消极态度被视为抑制病理住院医生对尸检热情的主要因素。与主治医生缺乏及时且恰当的沟通以及尸检人员的水平参差不齐被视为成功开展尸检服务的主要阻碍。病理学系主任们支持将所在机构的尸检率提高约一倍（从30%提高到64%），不过42.5%的系主任未与近亲讨论过他们对尸检的期望，只有42%的系主任定期参加大体标本讨论会。这些看法与医学和外科系主任在之前一项调查中给出的看法极为相似。基于这些意见，提出了若干旨在提高当地对尸检服务重视程度的建议。
