Differences in Perspective Toward Organ Donation Between Second-Year and Final-Year Medical Students in a Thai Medical School.

Abstract

Medical students, as prospective physicians, should develop a good attitude toward organ donation since physicians can positively affect the decision to donate organs. This study compared perspectives toward organ donation between Thai second-year and final-year (sixth-year) medical students, and explored changes that might occur during medical school training. Second-year and final-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, were invited to participate in the survey. The demographic data of the participants were collected and the attitudes toward organ donation were measured from the questionnaire. In total, 89second-year and 60 final-year medical students voluntarily enrolled in the study. Nearly all the participating medical students supported organ donation and were willing to donate their organs after death. The majority of participants had a positive attitude toward organ donation in many perspectives, e.g., their beliefs, family issues, and donation procedure. There was a statistical difference between the proportion of second-year and final-year students who supported that a brain death condition is a true death (59.6% and 93.3%, respectively, p < 0.001) and who did not feel uncomfortable mentioning organ donation (82.0% and 96.7%, respectively, p = 0.007). In conclusion, there were significant differences in perspective between second-year and final-year students regarding brain death and discomfort perceived during organ donation-related situations. Experience gained during medical school could generate a more positive attitude toward organ donation. Therefore, medical schools play an essential role in nurturing a positive perspective toward organ donation in future physicians.