TP5.2.16 Organ donation education in schools significantly increases organ donor registration, knowledge, and family discussion

Abstract

Abstract Aim Over Six-thousand patients are on the transplant waiting list in the UK and two die each day due to a lack of donors. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a national organ donation educational intervention in schools at increasing organ donor register (ODR) sign-up, knowledge, and family discussion. Methods A fifteen-minute non-biased presentation about organ donation was delivered at secondary schools across the UK by individuals from four centres from July 2018 to July 2019. An optional questionnaire was distributed to students. Results 1616 students from 25 schools completed the questionnaire. The mean age of students was 14 (SD = 2) years. Following the educational intervention, the number of students who were on or intended to join the ODR significantly increased from 8% to 44% (p < 0.0001), knowledge of organ donation significantly increased from 43% to 79% (p < 0.0002), and planned family discussion significantly increased from 19% to 42% (p < 0.0001). These findings were not influenced by location. Conclusions Organ donation educational interventions delivered to school students significantly increases planned ODR sign-up, knowledge, and family discussion.