I found this contribution very important, illuminating at an interdisciplinary level, and instructive. One statement in the last section, “Problem Areas,” is still occupying my mind: “In Germany, the present autopsy rate is less than 5% of all deaths….” How valid is this percentage? What are the actual numbers at present—are they even above 1%? In the Epidemiological Bulletin of the Robert Koch Institute of 4 February 2000—already 10 years ago—the autopsy rate determined for Germany was 1.2% and on a downwards curve. “So far as autopsy rates are concerned,” was the terse summary, “Germany is obviously bottom of the European league.” This is bad for quality assurance of the work of those in the medical and caring professions. It is also bad for the reputation of the law and for the validity of the frequently cited official cause of death statistics in our country. What can be done—what must be done – to bring about a significant improvement in this dreadful state of affairs?
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
The author declares that no conflict of interest exists according to the guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.
References
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