Assessment of knowledge and attitudes regarding organ donation among doctors and students of a tertiary care hospital

Organ donation is a lifesaving treatment option for patients with end-organ damage. However, many patients are unable to avail this option due to the low availability of viable organs for transplantation. The availability of donor organs can be improved by increasing awareness and resolving organ donation misconceptions among the general population. It can be assumed that healthcare workers are most aware of the value of organ donation. They are also in a position to influence the willingness of the general population to donate organs after death or sign up for an organ donor card. The knowledge and attitudes of current and future healthcare professionals regarding this subject have neither been evaluated nor considered a topic of priority in the existing Indian medical education program. Objectives To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of licensed medical doctors and undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students and analyze differences between the two groups with respect to the above. Methodology A total of 650 doctors and MBBS students from a Tertiary care hospital were included in the study and subjected to a questionnaire with 11 questions. Responses to the questionnaire were analyzed to evaluate knowledge and attitudes regarding organ donation. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24. Results and conclusions About 29.9% of doctors and 49.8% of students knew about the law governing organ donation. The concept of brain death was entirely understood by only 31.7% of doctors and 14.7% of students. Only 16% of doctors and 3.2% of students had filled an organ donor card. About 40.9% of doctors and 51% of students favored the opt-out system, as followed by western nations. Fear of illegal selling or purchase of organs was predominant in 61.9% of doctors and 52.2% of students. The current study reveals that the medical fraternity's knowledge and personal responsibility need improvements. However, the system also needs to be improved to win their trust.

Automated summary

Organ donation is a crucial treatment option for patients with organ damage, but the low availability of viable organs poses a challenge. Increasing awareness and addressing misconceptions among the general population can improve organ donation rates. Healthcare workers play a key role in influencing public willingness to donate organs, but their knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation in India need improvement. The study highlights the need for better education and trust-building efforts in the medical community to promote organ donation.