Sanner M A
Department of Social Medicine, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1994 Sep;118(9):878-83.
The autopsy rate is declining, probably due to attitude changes. However, attitudes toward the autopsy have been sparsely studied, public opinion evidently not at all. The present study has, therefore, investigated the attitudes and reactions of the public toward autopsy as a basis for a new autopsy act in Sweden. An age-stratified, random sample of 1950 individuals in Sweden was surveyed. Eighty-four percent reported acceptance of an autopsy for themselves and 80% for next of kin. However, 70% felt discomfort at the thought of autopsy. Irrespective of the attitudes, the most common source of discomfort was the thought of the dead body being cut up, followed by fear of being disrespectful of the dead person. Sociodemographic factors were only weakly correlated to attitudes. The most impressive finding was that older women were the most hesitant or negative group concerning the autopsy, both for themselves and for relatives. The low autopsy rate is evidently not connected with the public's negative attitudes. Even if discomfort reactions are general, rational factors dominate. Thus, it is up to the medical community to use this positive opinion to let the autopsy regain its role of quality guarantee.
尸检率正在下降，这可能归因于态度的转变。然而，针对尸检的态度却鲜有研究，公众舆论方面更是完全没有相关研究。因此，本研究调查了瑞典公众对尸检的态度和反应，以此作为瑞典新尸检法案的依据。对瑞典1950名按年龄分层的随机样本进行了调查。84%的受访者表示接受为自己进行尸检，80%的受访者表示接受为近亲进行尸检。然而，70%的受访者一想到尸检就感到不适。无论态度如何，最常见的不适来源是想到尸体被解剖，其次是担心对死者不敬。社会人口统计学因素与态度之间的关联很弱。最令人印象深刻的发现是，老年女性无论是对于自己还是亲属，都是对尸检最为犹豫或持负面态度的群体。显然，低尸检率与公众的负面态度并无关联。即使不适反应普遍存在，但理性因素仍占主导。因此，医疗界有责任利用这种积极的看法，让尸检重新发挥其质量保证的作用。
