Does the ‘cadaveric oath ceremony’ embark proper AETCOM teaching? – A Kirkpatrick model analysis in Phase 1 MBBS Anatomy students

Rationale: AETCOM teaching of the NMC module 1.5 “cadaver as our first teacher” is traditionally been taught to the Phase 1 students at the very beginning of their Anatomy course with the event of lecture followed by cadaveric oath-ceremony. But evaluation of such programme has yet to be found in literature conducted in this state. Methodology: Amongst the three-level programme evaluation plan, for 1st level “students’ reaction” was gathered from the immediate feedback after the cadaveric oath ceremony. 2nd level impact of the programme, i.e. “students’ learning” was evaluated by reflection analysis and their score in theory examination. Level 3, i.e. “students’ change in behaviour” was assessed by planning Directly-Observed-Non-Clinical Skill station during Anatomy Practical examination. Results: the study has incorporated data of all 200 1st year students. Students’ responses to feedback of the event of cadaveric oath ceremony was 90% favorable. On analyzing the reflection-essays submitted by the students, it was observed that they could gain the attitude to show respect to the cadaver. Although almost all of the students have achieved 60% marks in theory assessment of AETCOM but Practical assessment revealed their score ranged from 40% to 90% out of the full marks. Conclusion: Although the Anatomy-Education-Teaching-Curriculum-Outcome-Model incorporates the cadaveric oath ceremony event since 2016; but the regular periodical evaluation of the programme seemed essential especially to stress upon the “does” level of Millar’s pyramid. The present study provided the concept of such practical assessment plan, although very first time; so far searched in literature.