%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge and Attitudes about Organ Donation Among Medical Students
%A H. Bilgel
%A G. Sadikoglu
%A N. Bilgel
%J Transplantationsmedizin
%D 2006
%I Pabst Science Publishers
%X In almost every country, the organ supply for transplantation does not match the increasing demand; health professionals may play an important role in eliminating barriers and increasing organ donation. Therefore, assessing medical students¡¯ knowledge and attitudes regarding organ donation is important for the future organ supply. Some 409 of 508 first- and second-year medical students answered an anonymous, multiple-choice questionnaire about demographic variables, knowledge about transplant issues, and willingness to donate organs. The mean age was 20.3¡À1.8 years (range: 17 to 29 years); 50.1% were male, 49.9% were female. Some 44.8% of the total respondents reported that they had sufficient knowledge about organ donation, and 40.1% reported knowledge about organ transplantation. The primary source of their knowledge was reported as the media (72.1%). Willingness to donate their own organs was 58.4% and willingness as to their relatives¡¯ organs was 39.9%. The acceptance of live organ donation was higher (74.6%) than cadaver donation. Only 1.2% had a organ donation card. Female students were more willing to donate their own and their relatives¡¯ organs. Since medical students are prospective leaders of promoting organ donation action, these issues should be taught within the context of social medicine lessons, and desirable behavioral changes should be implemented.
%K organ donation
%K medicine
%K students
%K attitudes
%K transplantation
%U http://www.transplantation.de/fileadmin/transplantation/txmedizin/txmedizin_2006_2/05_bilgel.pdf