Evaluation of attitudes and knowledge of Kocaeli University medical students on dissection, brain death and organ donation

Abstract

Considering organ donation, cadaver supply routes and procurement rates, it seems that resources are limited. It is discussedfrom a broad perspective that the evaluation of ethical approaches in terms of cadaver needs in anatomy education andresearch areas, and the use of bodies obtained through donation are more appropriate. Healthcare workers’ knowledge andattitudes on organ donation and transplantation are the main factors for making a positive impact on the society and raisingthe donation rate. In this study, the questions directed to the students were designed to assess their views on cadavericand organ donation, their awareness of the issue, and their attitudes in case the person or his/her relatives need organdonation. When the obtained data were evaluated, statistically significant changes were observed between medical students’attitudes before and after the anatomy laboratory education (p<0.05). Although many of the students stated thattheir ideas did not change, this study shows that medical school students change their attitudes towards cadaver and organdonation issues after anatomy laboratory training.