Secondary School Teachers' Assessment of the Introduction of an Educational Program About Organ Donation and Transplantation

Abstract

Introduction It is essential to provide information about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) to encourage school pupils to have favorable attitudes toward this matter in the future. The role of the teacher is crucial in this respect. The objective of this study was to determine acceptance by secondary school teachers of an educational program about ODT. Materials and Methods A random sample of secondary school teachers was taken from 10 secondary schools in the southeast of Spain. A total of 288 teachers were surveyed using a questionnaire that assessed the following; (1) acceptance of the educational program; (2) who should carry it out; and (3) some psychosocial variables related to ODT. Results Of the 288 secondary teachers surveyed, 283 of them responded to the acceptance of an educational program on ODT. Approximately half (54%) of the respondents believed that it would be appropriate to introduce an educational program about ODT in secondary schools, 22% believed that there were currently other more important educational considerations, 20% had doubts, and 4% believed that it would not be useful. The vast majority (71%) believed that a collaborator from the Regional Transplant Team would be the best person to carry out the program followed by any teacher (11%) or a teacher of ethics (9%). The remaining 9% were not sure. There was greater acceptance of an educational program about ODT among teachers who had a favorable attitude toward the matter ( P = .003). Conclusions An educational program about ODT in secondary education was not equally accepted by all teachers. Most teachers believed that the program should be delivered by the Transplant Coordination Center rather than teachers themselves.