What to Consider When Preparing for Your First Dissection if You're Squeamish

What to Consider When Preparing for Your First Dissection if You're Squeamish The dissecting process is of course difficult, but it does get easier. Taking into consideration the emotional impact it might have, the key to overcoming dissection is to dissociate some thoughts and feelings you may have if you’re feeling squeamish about the process.

Dissection comes from the Latin word – “dissecare”, which translates to "cutting into pieces”. Across the medical environment, it is described as the dissembling of organs in order to study and understand natural structure.

The dissection process has been in place from several centuries and has enabled the medical representatives to explore human and animal bodies in terms of understanding the internal anatomy and develop possible cures and ways to prevent organs failure at a certain point.

It is important to mention the fact that the dissection procedure has been largely debated from different professionals in terms of moral concerns.

There have also been different technological approaches in order to avoid human body dissection, and to mimic it in an ethical way. A number of computer programmed models have been developed so far in order to simulate the dissection process without using a human or animal corpse.

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The different approaches to dissection are as follows:  First year approach  Second year approach  Modular  Continuous  Based on functional body systems  Based on topographic body systems No matter the approach, still the dissecting is and remains a difficult firsttime event.

Considering the fact that this is a common stressful situation for many nurse practitioners or any other medical student, there have been arranged a number of studies in order to find possible approaches these individuals can maintain in order not to experience a dramatic situation.

Possible emotional and physical considerations to facilitate your first dissection: ▪

Physical considerations:

1. Formaldehyde smell – This substance releases a smell that is commonly reported as being the cause of side effects in terms of sensitivity. Once in the dissecting room, new nurses are suggested to take distance from the body as many times as possible. Another suggestion might be mouth-breathing. This way, the smell would not have same impact as it would through nose-breathing. Another approach in terms of smelling might be to chew on gum or other products that have a strong flavor to diminish the effect of the Formaldehyde smell.

2. Locate the nearest place to sit down – It is unavoidable -- some students will faint during the dissection process. Upon entering the room, make sure you know where there is an acceptable spot to rest if you are feeling queasy. The last thing you’d want after fainting is a preventable injury.

3. Anti-nausea drugs – Although many anti-nausea drugs are found to have certain undesired side effects such as drowsiness, it might be a possible approach in order to prevent unfortunate events during dissection process. Speak with your doctor to determine which type of medication would be right for you.

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▪ Emotional considerations: 1. Consider the process as a professional one – It might seem very simple illustrated with words, but this is the first step into a smooth first dissection. One of the possible considerations might be to watch different course videos or picture illustrations describing the process of human dissection. Those videos or pictures will be provided in a professional way that will help you to create a detachment from emotional involvement. This approach is highly suggested to be applied at least one day before the dissecting process.

2. Consider it a one-time opportunity – Even though this will likely happen more than once, you should consider this as a one-time opportunity. Then, it’s easier to see the benefits. You have already seen body organs in videos or in pictures, but it is a different approach once you can see and touch them for real. This approach is strictly related to the previous one.

3. Information is power – Once you possess information you achieve a higher level of assurance. Thus, once you are about to experience your first dissection, read as much as you can on this topic. Once you are

done, you will feel as you already have done that before. Don’t be afraid to approach any professors if there’s something you feel you do not understand.

4. Be open to discussions – It is very important to talk. Once you feel uncomfortable with the idea of the dissection, you should immediately start talking and advising a professional. This professional might be one of your professors or somebody else that you trust and has the necessary expertise in the field. These professionals have already had experience in dissection, so they might share with you on the ways and methods they have used to surpass the difficulties they had at first.

New nurses should take into consideration the fact that experienced professionals don’t have as much trouble. Every single difficulty can be surpassed once you welcome new ideas and have the right dedication towards your selected profession.

5. Moral barriers – Dissection is considered a beneficial approach in terms of discovering new ways to assess different conditions and develop new cures.

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Despite the above information, your first dissection will be an event that will stick around in your mind for a long time. Overcoming the stress it might cause, you might consult the above approaches and find the best one that fits more to their individual character and emotional status.

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