2004 Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 47-58
In order to clarify the contents of learning through observation of cadaver dissection, students were instructed to write reports on the cadaver dissection using less than 400 words. Contents of the reports were then analyzed. The results showed two core categories of learning, "depth of learning" and "emotions of students". Depth of learning comprised two categories: "observation methods" and "observation contents". Emotions of students comprised three categories: "emotions and feelings"; "learning motivation"; and "human dignity". With depth of learning, from shallow learning based on passive observation, students utilized their existing knowledge and subjectively deepened and widened their knowledge. With emotions of students, the students gained empathy toward patients and increased commitment to the nursing profession. The results of the present study suggest the importance of designing nursing curricula to prepare students for observations of cadaver dissection in basic nursing education and integrate the knowledge gained through dissection observation into other nursing subjects to deepen their knowledge.
