The Effect of Education on the Knowledge Level, Awareness and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students’ Towards Organ Donation and Transplantation

Abstract

The current educational curriculum does not provide physiotherapists with adequate knowledge and skills regarding tissue and organ donation and transplantation. This study aims to investigate whether educational interventions on organ donation and transplantation lead to significant changes in physiotherapy students' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes. The study involved 96 students from the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at a state university, with a mean age of 19.61±1.43 years. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and evaluated using a socio-demographic information form, the Organ-Tissue Donation and Transplantation Knowledge Scale, and the Organ Donation Attitude Scale. After administering a pre-test, a 60-minute educational session was conducted, followed by a post-test. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the Organ Donation Knowledge Scale before and after the educational intervention (p=0.0001). Significant differences were also observed in the Organ Donation Attitudes Scale, the Humanity and Moral Conviction sub-dimension, the Fears of Medical Neglect sub-dimension, the Fears of Bodily Mutilation sub-dimension, and the Total Negative Attitudes sub-dimension (p=0.0001). Healthcare professionals play a critical role in informing and guiding people about organ donation for increasing awareness and encouraging positive attitudes. Therefore, providing comprehensive and effective education on organ donation and transplantation to physiotherapists can significantly enhance their ability to improve public knowledge and attitudes towards organ donation.