Abstract: TH-PO985
Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students towards Organ Transplantation
Session Information
- Transplant Recipient Education, Adherence, and Novel Risk Factors for Graft Loss
November 02, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Category: Transplantation
- 1702 Transplantation: Clinical and Translational
Authors
- Rydzewska-Rosolowska, Alicja, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Jamiolkowska, Milena, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Hryszko, Tomasz, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Brzosko, Szymon, DaVita Poland, Bialystok, Poland
- Naumnik, Beata, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
Background
In modern era transplantation has become an important mean of treatment. Although it is widespread and medically accepted, certain controversies still exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate attitudes toward organ transplantation among students from Medical University of Bialystok.
Methods
The anonymous survey was conducted among 273 students (medicine, dentistry, nursing and physiotherapy). The questionnaire was self-designed and contained 15 dichotomous questions regarding the attitude towards transplantation from deceased donors, living donors, the definition of brain death and whether the family was made aware of students’ beliefs.
Results
99.6% of students accepted organ transplantation as a therapeutic method. Living transplantation was accepted by 98.9% of students and transplantation from unrelated donors by 92.6% and 87.6% (respectively depending on the existence of an emotional bond between the donor and the recipient). Interestingly 12.8% of students approved selling of organs as a means of expanding the donor pool with significant differences between different divisions (medicine 18.4%, dentistry 6.1%, nursing 7.4% and physiotherapy 19.2%, p<0.05). On average 90.1% of students declared that they know the definition of brain death and again there were statistically significant differences between groups (medicine 96.5%, dentistry 74.2%, nursing 95.6% and physiotherapy 84.6%, p<0.01). Unfortunately, only 81.3% of students accepted the concept of brain death (medicine 91.2%, dentistry 66.1%, nursing 77.9% and physiotherapy 79.2%, p<0.01). Noteworthy 98.5% of students would accept an organ if needed but only 93.8% declared willingness to donate organs after death. Interestingly 26.4% of subjects stated that family should decide whether organs can be retrieved (medicine 17.5%, dentistry 37.9%, nursing 27.9% and physiotherapy 30.8%, p<0.01). Only 69.2% of respondents talked to their family about their attitudes concerning transplantation.
Conclusion
Although organ transplantation is widely accepted by medical students from different faculties and divisions there are still certain areas were controversies exist (e.g. definition of brain-death and the subject of organ selling). A structured, well-planned educational program should be implemented to improve the awareness and attitude, especially among medical students.