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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Research into public’s perception of body donation

BSMS > About BSMS > Anatomy-lab > Research into public's perception of body donation

Research into public's perception of body donation

In the United Kingdom each year around 1,300 donors are accepted for body donation. This gift enables vital training for medicine and healthcare. There is little known about what is widely thought about body donation, who might use the body, what might happen to it. 

Prof Claire Smith standing with a donor in a protective sheet in the anatomy suite at BSMS

About the study

As part of a research study, we want to understand what the public know and think about body donation. What they think about who can use donated bodies and what they can be used for.

This will then help us to improve how we communicate the options of body donation and will inform development of practice across the UK and globally.

We you like to invite you to help us by taking part in an anonymous online questionnaire. This should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

To read more about the study please download the Participant Information Sheet.

View the participant information sheet >

This research study has been approved by Ethics and Research committee at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (ER/BSMS3867/18).

take part in the study here >

This study is being led by Professor Claire Smith. Claire is an experienced anatomist who has led national practice and policy developments in anatomy. Her work has previously explored ~1000 donors' perceptions. The participants were already individuals who had reached out to donate their body and hence this next study is to reach out to a much wider audience to gain new perspectives. 

Learn more about body donation here >

Listen to the BBC Radio 4 piece on body donation >

For any questions regarding the study please contact Professor Claire Smith.

Email Prof Claire Smith >