임상병리학과 교육과정 내 법의학 교육에 대한 인식 및 요구 분석

This cross-sectional survey study investigated the perceptions of 149 undergraduate students enrolled in a four-year Biomedical Laboratory Science program in South Korea regarding the necessity and curricular relevance of forensic medicine education. Although forensic medicine is legally defined as a professional duty of clinical laboratory scientists under the Enforcement Decree of the Medical Technologists Act, the subject is not offered as a regular course in most universities, resulting in a structural disconnect between education and practice. Survey findings revealed that a significant number of respondents were unaware of whether the subject was offered at their institution, yet a high proportion expressed agreement with its inclusion in the regular curriculum. Notably, interest in forensic-related duties and recognition of their occupational importance significantly increased with academic year, suggesting that career maturity and job awareness deepen as students progress through their program. Respondents showed strong preferences for experiential and practice-oriented instructional methods, including simulation based learning, case-based instruction, and lectures by field experts. Some open-ended responses highlighted difficulties in understanding forensic concepts due to a lack of foundational knowledge in anatomy, indicating the need for curriculum integration with anatomy and interdisciplinary educational strategies. This study proposes the incorporation of forensic medicine as a formal part of the curriculum, the development of practical teaching modules, faculty specialization enhancement, and integration with anatomy instruction to systematically strengthen clinical laboratory scientists’ practical competencies and professional expertise through a comprehensive educational model.