Temporal Trends and Demographic Characteristics in Body Donation Applications: A Single University Experience

Abstract

Objective: Body donation remains essential for anatomy education and surgical skills training. Despite advances in simulation and virtual/augmented/mixed reality, donated human bodies provide unmatched tissue realism and anatomical variation. However, many institutions still face cadaver shortages. Understanding temporal fluctuations in donation applications and their demographic correlations may inform targeted outreach and support the sustainability of body donation programs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and outcome of ongoing National Body Donation Programs at our institution.
Methods: Retrospective body donation forms submitted to Hacettepe University between 1990 and 2025 were reviewed, including both completed donations and registered applicants. Demographic variables, including application year and sex, were analyzed alongside temporal trends.
Results: Between 2003 and 2025, a total of 267 body donation applications were submitted, of which 20 donors were accepted by our institution. The annual number of applications ranged from 0 to 29. A modest upward trend in the annual number of applications was observed beginning in 2012, the year in which the National Body Donation Program was initiated (β=1.48, p=0.052). The applicant population comprised 61.8% males and 38.2% females, with female applicants submitting their applications at a significantly younger age than males (p=0.046). Applicants aged ≤30 years represented 13.5% of the population, while those aged ≥65 years comprised 31.5%.
Conclusion: These findings provide valuable mid-term institutional data that may inform the planning and sustainability of body donation programs in medical education. Continuous monitoring of program outcomes is essential, enabling a proactive management approach and the development of strategies to enhance program effectiveness.