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 discussed

from a broad perspective that the evaluation of ethical approaches in terms of cadaver needs in anatomy education and

research areas, and the use of bodies obtained through donation are more appropriate. Healthcare workers’ knowledge and

attitudes on organ donation and transplantation are the main factors for making a positive impact on the society and raising

the donation rate. In this study, the questions directed to the students were designed to assess their views on cadaveric

and organ donation, their awareness of the issue, and their attitudes in case the person or his/her relatives need organ

donation. 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 that

their ideas did not change, this study shows that medical school students change their attitudes towards cadaver and organ

donation issues after anatomy laboratory training.

Keywords

• cadaver donation; medical students; organ donation

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