Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42439288›Full record

ArticleAnatomical sciences education2026

Medical students' perspectives on body donation to science within the Italian context.

Antonietta Fazio, Giulio Vara, Veronica Moretti, Annalisa Plava, Anna Maria Billi, Alessandra Ruggeri, Giulia Adalgisa Mariani, Marilisa Quaranta, Simone Lodi, Cecilia Acuti Martellucci and 11 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Anatomical sciences education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Antonietta FazioCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Giulio VaraCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Veronica MorettiDepartment of Sociology and Business Law, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Annalisa PlavaDepartment of Human Sciences, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7748-6016
Anna Maria BilliCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Alessandra RuggeriCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Giulia Adalgisa MarianiCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Marilisa QuarantaCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Simone LodiCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Cecilia Acuti MartellucciDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Maria Alessandra SotgiuDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Valentina Di FeliceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), Human Anatomy and Histology Institute, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Sergio CastorinaDepartment of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Guido CarpinoDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Veronica MacchiDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Rita RezzaniDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Mario RendeDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Human Anatomy, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Andrea MontellaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Lucio CoccoCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Lucia ManzoliCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Stefano RattiCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6258-5345

Funding

Alma Idea 2022-UniboItalian Ministry of Health through CENTRO_RIF_DONAZ_SALME_2023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Body donation is essential for medical education and research, supporting anatomical training and clinical competence. In Italy, national data on awareness of the legislation regulating body donation and factors shaping donation-related decisions among healthcare trainees remain limited. This study investigated knowledge of the legal framework, attitudes, and willingness for body donation among Italian medical students and residents. A two-phase mixed-methods study was conducted. In phase 1, qualitative interviews informed the development of a structured questionnaire. In phase 2, a national cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2023 using a CAWI questionnaire. Items explored exposure to body-based training, awareness of body donation and related legislation, perceived barriers and facilitators, and willingness to donate. Group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 1044 participants completed the survey. Most were aware of body donation (92.8%), awareness of regulating law was limited (78.2% unaware), and public information was perceived as insufficient (69.6%). Overall, 53.8% reported willingness for body donation. Cultural and spiritual beliefs, emotional discomfort, and bureaucratic procedures emerged as major barriers. Students more often identified knowledge as a facilitator and less often viewed emotional involvement as a barrier compared with residents. In multivariable analysis, willingness to donate was negatively associated with male gender and lack of exposure or interest in body-based training. Among Italian healthcare trainees, willingness to consider body donation is high but coexists with limited legal awareness and persistent social barriers. Educational strategies within healthcare training contexts may support informed decision-making and greater engagement.

Indexed as

AnatomyAttitude of Health PersonnelHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeStudents, MedicalTissue and Organ ProcurementAdultCadaverCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInternship and ResidencyItalyMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adultacademic surveyanatomical trainingattitudesawarenesslegal frameworkmedical education

Identifiers

PMID42439288
PMCPMC13654054

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.