Survey of the Awareness and Beliefs Regarding Brain Death and Deceased Organ Donation Amongst Medical Students in India

Background: Deceased organ donation rates in our country are amongst the lowest in the world. This survey aims to identify the problems related to understanding of the concept of brain death and deceased donation amongst medical students in our country.Methods: A questionnaire 31 multi-response questions was designed and administered to undergraduate medical students at AIIMS in order to assess their knowledge and awareness regarding brain death and deceased organ donation. Data thus collected was analyzed using SPSS software version 17.0.Results: A total of 200 undergraduate medical students median age: 19 (17-26) years; M:F = 129:71 participated in the survey. Most students had not encountered a ‘brain dead’ patient (90%) or a patient requiring transplantation (75%). Around 75% of the respondents were aware of the concept of brain death, mostly through teaching curriculum (65%) and media (63%) and 97% wanted ‘brain death’ to be included in academic curriculum. Most (75%) felt that there was some disfigurement after deceased donation. Most (73%) were willing to donate organs if their family agreed, but only half (52%) would do it without family consent and (88%) desired to get registered 35% only with family consent. Only a third felt that religious beliefs influenced their attitudes towards donation. A majority (62%) believed that donor’s willingness was paramount and only 43% agreed, 35% disagreed with concept of presumed consent. A majority (69%) felt that instituting national organ donation programme and improving awareness would help in preventing illegal organ trading and improving the deceased donation rates.Conclusion: The survey suggests a high level of interest in acquiring knowledge about brain death and organ donation amongst medical students. It also highlights the significant influence of the medicos' family towards the acceptance of this concept both for consenting and registration as prospective donors. A substantial majority felt that spreading awareness and instituting a national programme will positively impact on the deceased donor rates in our country. Background: Deceased organ donation rates in our country are amongst the lowest in the world. This survey aims to identify the problems related to understanding of the concept of brain death and deceased donation amongst medical students in our country. Methods: A questionnaire 31 multi-response questions was designed and administered to undergraduate medical students at AIIMS in order to assess their knowledge and awareness regarding brain death and deceased organ donation. Data thus collected was analyzed using SPSS software version 17.0. Results: A total of 200 undergraduate medical students median age: 19 (17-26) years; M:F = 129:71 participated in the survey. Most students had not encountered a ‘brain dead’ patient (90%) or a patient requiring transplantation (75%). Around 75% of the respondents were aware of the concept of brain death, mostly through teaching curriculum (65%) and media (63%) and 97% wanted ‘brain death’ to be included in academic curriculum. Most (75%) felt that there was some disfigurement after deceased donation. Most (73%) were willing to donate organs if their family agreed, but only half (52%) would do it without family consent and (88%) desired to get registered 35% only with family consent. Only a third felt that religious beliefs influenced their attitudes towards donation. A majority (62%) believed that donor’s willingness was paramount and only 43% agreed, 35% disagreed with concept of presumed consent. A majority (69%) felt that instituting national organ donation programme and improving awareness would help in preventing illegal organ trading and improving the deceased donation rates. Conclusion: The survey suggests a high level of interest in acquiring knowledge about brain death and organ donation amongst medical students. It also highlights the significant influence of the medicos' family towards the acceptance of this concept both for consenting and registration as prospective donors. A substantial majority felt that spreading awareness and instituting a national programme will positively impact on the deceased donor rates in our country.