General guide of the course: Target audience

This course addresses the role of the clinical autopsy in the 21^st century. Therefore, we will explain the most basic fundamentals; material and methodology; risks of doing an autopsy and high-risk autopsies; and some of the main lethal injuries that can cause death. In addition, we will explain the hidden face of clinical autopsies, that is to say, some neuropathological procedures such as the brain and spinal cord extractions. Finally, we will overview some characteristics of brain biobanks as the backbone of research in human brain tissues.

This course is offered by the University of Oviedo and developed by a teaching team of professors and pathologists from the University of Oviedo and the Central University Hospital of Asturias (Anatomic Pathology Service).

1. Target audience

This course is specially designed for university students, postgraduates and anyone interested in perimortem circumstances. Besides medical residents such as pathology residents and other health professionals, it is mainly recommended for medical students, nursing students, pathology technicians and all people interested on learning more death-related information. In fact, this MOOC has been created for all those people who want to know how lethal diseases occur and lead to death.

Some basic notions on the subject are necessary, especially those concerning human anatomy and some medical terminology. In addition, it is desirable to have some digital skills and abilities in the use of the online platform where the course takes place.