Imran Jawaad, Muhammad Iqbal Mughal, Nasreen Ehsan.
Pakistani Society and Autopsy Practices.
Med Forum Jan ;2(5):45-50.

Objective: Development of medical sciences is based upon understanding of complete course of a disease. But sometime during treatment a physician does not reach to a conclusion regarding diagnosis. In such situations a medical autopsy provides complete picture of disease process. The willingness for such autopsy is prerogative of the family of the deceased. This study is aimed to assess the attitudes of our society for acceptance of autopsy. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University College of Medicine, University of Lahore from 1st January to 30th June, 2012. Material and Methods: The study is based on response of 97 adult persons randomly selected from general population belonging to various categories regarding age, gender, marital status, education, profession, income, location, family structure & family size. Results: The willingness for medical autopsy after death was variable in different category of persons. Out of total 97 (36 female & 61 females) cases 28% showed willingness and this tendency was more in males, people in third decade of age, married, graduates & above, government employees, Lahorites, nuclear living families, small sized families and income range from 20 to 50 thousand per month. Conclusion: The value of medical autopsy for development of medical sciences is without doubt. The peoples are reluctant for acceptance of autopsy because of inadequate awareness about the procedure and its benefits. Public cooperation for autopsy acceptance can be enhanced by improving their awareness and also by developing a motivated team of pathologists and clinicians.

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