Attitude and knowledge of medical students about organ donation – training needs identified from a Canadian survey

Abstract

Background Appropriate training of health professionals has been recommended to increase organ donation rates. Some studies have shown insufficient knowledge among medical students. This survey aims to describe their knowledge and attitude toward organ donation (OD). Method We designed, pre-tested and conducted an online survey of all undergraduate medical students from Montreal, Laval and Sherbrooke universities in 2016–2017. Multivariate linear regression identified factors associated with a better knowledge score. Results Twenty-two percent (750/3344) of students completed the survey. Ninety-one percent of students adequately knew that neurological death is irreversible; 76% acknowledged that someone could be neurologically deceased while his heart is still beating; 69% were not aware of circulatory determination of death. For only one knowledge item, senior students had a better answer than junior students. Total knowledge score was associated with exposure to OD during medical studies and comfort in answering patients’ questions about OD (p < 0,001). Regarding attitude, 96% of respondents wished to become organ donors after death and 92% supported OD training during their medical training. Conclusion Despite a favourable attitude, medical students have limited knowledge of OD. Findings suggest the need for a formal curriculum about OD, as students expressed.

The willingness and attitudes of medical students regarding organ donation and transplantation: a cross-sectional study from Turkey

“…Consistent with the previous literature, the MS in the present study looked favorably on OD 12,13 . In terms of the relationship between gender and OD, studies have reported that women hold more positive attitudes than men 4,14 .…”

“…A study reported an increase in participants' willingness to donate and the disappearance of myths and false beliefs after education 11 . MS reported feeling a need for education on the subject of OD 12 . In the present study, education on the subject of OD was found to increase the willingness to donate.…”

Perception of Brazilian medical students toward organ donation

“…In the present study, less than half of the medical students claimed to have had classes regarding donation and transplantation or to know the brain death criteria adopted in Brazil. As expected 12 , awareness was shown to increase according to school years, but it is troublesome to observe that one-quarter of the medical students are unaware of organ donation issues after 6 years of schooling in Brazil. Some steps involved in brain death diagnosis were more challenging to learn, particularly oculovestibular and oculocephalic reflexes and the apnea test.…”

Knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation among medical students in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

“…Innovative educational programmes, for example, Transplant Organ Retrieval programme in the University of Oxford, also showed to successfully enhance related knowledge among medical students and increase their confidence in organ donation discussion with patients and relatives 40. We suggest organ donation education, regardless training methods, should be incorporated into the formal medical curriculum, for example, during clerkship41 or junior doctor training42 and this shall be supported by government organ donation policy 23…”