Exploring Health Science Students’ Notions on Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

El conocimiento adquirido durante la educación universitaria sobre la donación y el trasplante de órganos (ODT) influye decisivamente en la información que transmiten los futuros profesionales de la salud. Esto es importante en ODT donde la participación del público en general es esencial para obtener órganos. Objetivo Determinar las nociones de estudiantes españoles de medicina y enfermería sobre ODT y su relación con la actitud hacia ODT. Métodos y diseño Realizamos un estudio sociológico, multicéntrico y observacional. La población para nuestro estudio consistió en estudiantes de medicina y enfermería en universidades españolas. Nuestra base de datos fue el Proyecto Colaborativo de Donantes Internacionales, estratificado por área geográfica y curso académico. Un cuestionario validado (PCID-DTO-RIOS) fue autoadministrado y completado anónimamente. Nuestra muestra consistió en 9598 estudiantes de medicina y 10,566 estudiantes de enfermería (intervalo de confianza del 99%; precisión de ± 1%), estratificados por área geográfica y año de estudio. Resultados La tasa de finalización de nuestro estudio fue del 90%. Solo el 20% (n = 3640) de los estudiantes pensó que sus nociones sobre ODT eran buenas; El 41% (n = 7531) pensó que sus nociones eran normales; El 36% (n = 6550) pensó que sus nociones eran escasas. Al comparar grupos, hubo diferencias entre aquellos que creían que sus nociones sobre ODT eran buenas (44% de enfermería versus 56% de estudiantes de medicina; P <.000), y los que creían que era escasa (54% de enfermería versus 46% de estudiantes de medicina; P <.000). Las nociones sobre ODT estaban relacionadas con la actitud hacia la donación de los propios órganos: aquellos que consideraban que sus nociones eran buenas estaban más a favor que aquellos que lo consideraban escaso (88% vs 72%; P <.000). Conclusión Solo el 20% de los estudiantes españoles de medicina y enfermería pensaban que sus nociones sobre ODT eran buenas. Tener un buen conocimiento está relacionado con una actitud favorable hacia ODT. Recibir información específica sobre el tema podría mejorar su conocimiento sobre ODT durante su capacitación.

The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs. Objective To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT. Methods and Design and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10,566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study. Results The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P < .000), and those who believed it scarce (54% nursing vs 46% medical students; P < .000). Notions on ODT were related with attitude toward the donation of one's own organs: those who considered their notions were good were more in favor then those who considered it scarce (88% vs 72%; P < .000). Conclusion Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training.Abstract The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs. Objective To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT. Methods and Design and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10,566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study. Results The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P < .000), and those who believed it scarce (54% nursing vs 46% medical students; P < .000). Notions on ODT were related with attitude toward the donation of one's own organs: those who considered their notions were good were more in favor then those who considered it scarce (88% vs 72%; P < .000). Conclusion Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training.