Awareness of body and organ donation amongst first year MBBS students of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna

Abstract

Introduction: Cadaver dissection is the backbone of Anatomy. With the increasing number of medical colleges in India there is severe scarcity of cadavers for dissection. The realistic experience of dissection is gradually being replaced by prosected dissection, virtual techniques and audio visual aids. As the medical science is progressing in leaps and bounds the transplant surgeries are achieving great success. However there is a tremendous gap between the recipients and the donars. This gap has to be bridged by the health care professionals. Hence it is important to educate them from their early training period and onwards. The aim of the present study was to find out the extent of awareness among newly admitted first year MBBS students regarding body donation and organ donation. Materials and Methods: After a brief introduction towards organ and body donation data collection was done based on a structured questionnaire and analysed. Result: 82.02% of students were aware of body and organ donation. 56.18% of students were aware that the organ donation was from living and cadaver both. 60.67% of students were self motivated towards willingness for organ and body donation and 50.56% of students were positive regarding promotion of organ and body donation. Conclusion: Education and motivation of health care providers towards organ donation and body donation will go a long way to minimise the scarcity in the field of organ transplant and cadaver procurement for dissection purpose.