RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of the medical autopsy is to define the causes of a patient's death. Although its rate has dramatically decreased, the post-mortem examination remains one of the basic tools for the assessment of medical care. The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing the acceptance of medical autopsies. METHODS: A prospective survey was performed using questionnaire that was administered to patients and health care professionals of the Saint-Étienne university hospital. The survey consisted in several questions relating to the autopsy practice (on one's own body) and the knowledge of the procedure. RESULTS: The population surveyed consisted of 186 individuals and 112 health care professionals, including physicians, residents and nurses. The results of the study overall showed a good acceptance of autopsy. Actually, 86% of the individauls and 94.6% of health professionals would not be opposed to their own autopsy (in order to identify the cause of the death, to help relatives bereavement, to foster medical research). The main reasons of medical autopsy opposition include religion belief, body integrity, dignity and respect. Only 42.5% of patients had previously received some information about autopsies, while 33.9% of health care professionals had received a specific formation. CONCLUSION: The rate of refusal of medical autopsy was low in this survey but information relative to this procedure remains insufficient. The current law imposes to look after a nonopposition to medical autopsy of the died individual, including asking his/her relatives that markedly limit the organ donation. Modification of the French bioethical law should be beneficial to increase both medical autopsy organ donation rates.
