Awareness and Attitude of Medical Fraternity Towards Whole Body and Organ Donation

Abstract

This study is undertaken to evaluate the awareness and attitude of medical fraternity towards whole body and organ donation. A cross sectional study was conducted among undergraduates, graduates and post graduates. Total 500 participants answered the multiple choice questionnaire containing information about demographic features, awareness and attitude towards whole body and organ donation. Out of 500 participants, 44% were willing to donate organs, 47.8% were willing to donate body only for organ transplantation, while only 5.8% for dissection purpose. 16.2% and 36.4% were not willing to donate organs and body respectively. 55.4% were self motivated followed by media (27.7%). Mistrust or misconception was the major reason for unwillingness to donate followed by premature organ removal. Although there is high level of awareness about whole body and organ donation, most of the medical students did not filled the pledge form. It is suggested that there is a need for reviewing medical school curricula and focussing on organ and whole body donation so, that there will be an altruistic change in attitude of future medical professionals.

The Attitude of Medical Students Toward Voluntary Body Donation: A Single Institute Survey and Narrative Review of Global Trends

“…Both global and Indian trends show an overall positive attitude among students, but there are some exceptions. Prameela et al, in their study, showed that only 6% of students were willing to donate their bodies for dissection [ 41 ] as opposed to 48% of students who showed a willingness toward organ donation. Though there is an overall positive attitude toward VBD, when opinion about donation is categorized into self, by a stranger, or a family member, the study by Mwachaka et al revealed that 68.1% [ 39 ] were opposed to self-body donation and 59.2% recommended donation by strangers.…”

“…Prameela et al identified self-motivation as one of the significant facilitators. In their study, 55.4% of the donors admitted that the motivation for donating their bodies was self-driven [ 41 ]. In contrast, Ciliberti et al, in their study, found an altruistic attitude of participants toward VBD [ 46 ].…”

“…Ciliberti et al pointed out that students who were not religious were 5.9 times more likely to donate their bodies [ 46 ]. Most of the studies revealed that religion was a significant barrier [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 45 , 46 , 21 , 43 ]. Discomfort to the family members prevented the donors from VBD, as detailed in many studies [ 38 , 41 , 46 , 21 , 43 ].…”

“…Most of the studies revealed that religion was a significant barrier [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 45 , 46 , 21 , 43 ]. Discomfort to the family members prevented the donors from VBD, as detailed in many studies [ 38 , 41 , 46 , 21 , 43 ]. Mistrust against health services was another significant barrier for VBD, as pointed out by Rokade et al and Prameela et al [ 36 , 41 ].…”

“…Not mentioned separately for students 63.76% of students NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 10 (21.73%) overall. Not mentioned separately for students NA NA Prameela et al [ 41 ] 2017 GITAM Dental College and Hospital, Andhra Pradesh, Awareness, organ and whole body donation, the medical fraternity Medical students (undergraduates: 3rd & 4th year, graduates, postgraduates) 273 undergraduates (56.4%) NA Males: 63, Female: 210 NA Cross-sectional study with multiple questionnaires NA NA 25% 5% 1% Only 6% toward dissection purpose NA NA 46% NA NA NA Self-motivation: 60% NA 10% to 15% 15% 15% prevented by family members Mistrust was a main barrier in 60% Ghosh et al [ 49 ] 2018 ESI- PGIMSR & ESIC Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Body donation; ethics; Unclaimed cadavers; anatomy education; medical students First-year undergraduate medical students 100 19 Male: 61 (62.2%)l; Female: 37 (37.8%) NA Questionnaire 61 (62.2%) did not know the source of cadavers, 85 (86.7%) did not know whom to approach for body donation, 66 (67.5%) did not know about pledging NA 64 (65.30%) …”