Future doctors and brain death: what is the prognosis?

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the knowledge and the opinion of medical students at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo related to the general aspects of donation, organ and tissue procurement, and basic concepts of brain death (BD). Materials and methods Questionnaires of 24 items were distributed among all students related to the concept and diagnosis of BD, personal aspects of tissue and organ donation, and general question concerning organ donation. The answers classified students as good versus bad experts of the concept and the diagnosis of BD. Results Of a total of 580 students, 361 (62.24%) answered the questionnaire. Although the concept of BD was known to 70%, only 35% had a good knowledge of the diagnosis. One percent of the students were opposed to the organ donation and 76% of them were donors. Approximately 90% would authorize organ retrieval from their family members but 27% had never discussed organ donation with their families. Most students were interested in the general aspects of donation and organ procurement (88.36%). Conclusion The majority of the students know the concept of BD. General aspects regarding tissue and organ donation and diagnosis of BD might be improved with the continued education on the subject.