Medical students’ education on organ donation and its evaluation during six consecutive years: results of a voluntary,anonymous educational intervention study

Background

One of the main reasons for organ shortage is insufficient education on organ donation. Knowledgeable medical students could share the information with friends and families resulting in a positive attitude to organ donation of the general public.

Methods

During six consecutive years (2009 to 2014), we conducted a voluntary, anonymous educational intervention study on organ donation among fourth year medical students in the course of the main surgery lecture at the University of Essen, Germany.

Results

Questionnaires of 383 students were analyzed. Prior to the specific lecture on organ donation, 64% of the students carried a signed organ donor card with the intention to donate. Further information regarding organ donation was required by 37% of the students. The request for further information was statistically significantly higher among students without a donor card compared to organ donor card carriers (P < 0.0001). After the lecture, the number of students requiring further information decreased statistically significantly to 19% (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Already a 45-minute lecture for fourth year medical students significantly decreases their request for further information on organ donation and improves their attitude to organ donation. Continued training on organ donation will help medical students to become disseminators for this important topic in our society.     

医学新生对尸体器官捐献的态度及其影响因素分析

目的调查医学院校新生对尸体器官捐献的态度及其影响因素。方法随机抽取辽宁省某医学院校大一20个班的学生为研究对象,发放问卷600份进行问卷调查。利用∥检验进行统计分析。结果回收有效问卷564份。其中对尸体器官捐献持赞成态度的为60．64％,表示反对的为20．57％,回答“不知道”的为18．79％。医学院校新生对尸体器官捐献态度与家庭、相关利他行为、尸体器官接受意愿及尸体器官捐献相关教育等因素有关。结论大多数医学院校新生赞同尸体器官捐献。在器官捐献问题上增进与家人的交流、积极参与公益活动有助于提高其尸体器官捐献意愿。此外,医学院校加强对尸体器官移植与尸体器官捐献、利他主义以及思想道德修养等方面的教育对提高尸体器官捐献意愿具有积极作用。     

Awareness about organ donation among school girls

Prevalence of organ failure is high through out the world. Organ transplantation, the definitive treatment option of organ failure keeps very low due to scarcity of organ. Most of the people are not aware about organ donation. Adolescent girls will be the mother of future nation and they can motivate family members for organ donation. This study was carried out to see attitudes towards organ donation and determine the negative factors of organ donation prevailing among school girls. One hundred sixty eight girls from class VIII to class X of a higher secondary school were participated. A structured questionnaire was filled up by the girls. The data were processed from questionnaire and analyzed. Among study population, most of them (64%) had no idea about on going organ donation and transplantation. The positive attitude of the girls towards organ donation was low when they are live (16%) and their attitudes also kept low even after their death (14%). The girls who did not agree to donate organ were further asked to mention the reasons. The reasons of negative attitude were religious belief, fear of illness and social and familial reservation. The result of this study suggests that among girls, awareness and attitudes about organ donation is poor. There were several reasons identified for low consent rates. Multidisciplinary actions should be taken to improve the awareness of the people about organ donation and motivate them for donation.     

关于大学生器官捐献认知状况及影响因素的调查研究——以温州茶山高教园区为例

目的 了解温州市茶山高教园区在校大学生对器官捐献的认知现状,分析其影响因素,为相关部门采取措施提供依据.方法 采用偶遇抽样方法,对温州市茶山高教园区279名大学生进行了关于器官捐献认知现状的问卷调查.结果 绝大多数大学生对器官捐献有所了解,但对具体知识、流程、用途及相关法规等知晓程度较低;有22.9％的大学生表示从来没有捐献器官的意愿,且仍有66.9％的人还未做决定;大学生整体器官捐献态度呈正向态度,但不同年级、性别、科系类别、风俗习惯及献血习惯者的器官捐献认知水平存在差异.结论 政府、高校和社会应加强对器官捐献知识和价值的宣传,采取多种形式,通过提高大学生的器官捐献的知识水平,促进器官捐献态度的改善和器官捐献意愿的提升。     

Measures of knowledge and attitude toward preventive cardiology

In this paper, the authors describe the development and validation of an inventory of preventive cardiology at the University of Virginia. The inventory contains two instruments designed to measure medical students' preinstructional and postinstructional knowledge of and attitude toward preventive cardiology. The knowledge test subscales provide unique and significant information about knowledge in preventive cardiology and can discriminate among groups differing in level of instruction and expertise in preventive cardiology. The attitude survey provides information about two attitude factors: cardiovascular disease prevention and cardiovascular disease research priorities. In the study reported here, attitudes appeared not to differ among groups of students with different preventive cardiology instructional levels and expertise. Both instruments were demonstrated to be useful measures of medical students' knowledge and attitudes concerning preventive cardiology educational programs.     

Psychosocial variables associated with willingness to donate organs.

Questionnaires were administered to 108 university psychology students to investigate attitudes and behaviour related to organ donation. Three groups (committed, uncommitted and opposed) were identified. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that, compared with uncommitted donors, committed donors felt better informed about organ donation, had discussed donation more often with family members and knew more people who had signed donor cards. The subjects in the opposed group and those in the uncommitted group cited different reasons for not signing a donor card. Empathy, religious beliefs and attitudes about death did not affect willingness to donate. Analyses of the interaction between willingness to donate one's own organs and willingness to donate those of a family member revealed a monotonic increase in willingness to donate the organs of a family member as the type of recipient became more personally relevant. Our findings indicate that when health care professionals request donor organs the potential recipients must be presented to the potential donors in a personally relevant manner. Educational programs must be developed to train medical personnel in how to effectively ask for organs without coercing the potential donor or invading the privacy of the potential recipient.     

Do-not-resuscitate decision: the attitudes of medical and non-medical students

OBJECTIVES: To study the attitudes of both medical and non-medical students towards the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision in a university in Hong Kong, and the factors affecting their attitudes. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey conducted in the campus of a university in Hong Kong. Preferences and priorities of participants on cardiopulmonary resuscitation in various situations and case scenarios, experience of death and dying, prior knowledge of DNR and basic demographic data were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 766 students participated in the study. There were statistically significant differences in their DNR decisions in various situations between medical and non-medical students, clinical and preclinical students, and between students who had previously experienced death and dying and those who had not. A prior knowledge of DNR significantly affected DNR decision, although 66.4% of non-medical students and 18.7% of medical students had never heard of DNR. 74% of participants from both medical and non-medical fields considered the patient's own wish as the most important factor that the healthcare team should consider when making DNR decisions. Family wishes might not be decisive on the choice of DNR. CONCLUSIONS: Students in medical and non-medical fields held different views on DNR. A majority of participants considered the patient's own wish as most important in DNR decisions. Family wishes were considered less important than the patient's own wishes.     

Public awareness of organ donation.

A telephone survey of public attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation was conducted in a community in southwestern Ontario. The subjects were selected at random; the response rate was 57%. Of the 50 respondents 62% stated that they had signed the organ donor card accompanying their driver's licence. These respondents were more likely than those who did not sign it to have discussed organ donation with their families. At least 80% of the respondents said they would agree to donate their organs and those of their next-of-kin, and 80% said that the organ donor card should be considered a legal document. Organ transplantation was regarded by all but one respondent as an acceptable medical procedure. Also discussed were concerns about organ donation and possible strategies to improve the availability of organs for transplantation.     

郑州某技术学院医学生营养知识、态度及饮食行为调查

目的:了解医学生对营养知识的掌握情况及对营养知识与健康的态度,分析2者与饮食行为之间的关系,树立正确的营养观念,培养健康饮食行为,为进行营养教育提供科学依据. 方法:对郑州某技术学院1 142名医学生进行营养知识、态度及饮食行为的问卷调查. 结果:医学生营养知识水平中等偏下(中等分占44.4%,低分占46.6%);饮食行为处于较差的水平(低分占54.1%);但表现出较好的营养态度(高分占69.5%).大中专医学生的营养知识与态度之间(r=0.262, P=0.000)、营养知识与饮食行为之间(r=0.236,P=0.000)、营养态度与饮食行为之间(r=0.097,P=0.001)呈正相关关系.结论:应加大营养知识宣传力度,采取多种方式对医学生进行营养教育,以预防营养相关疾病.     

Attitudes toward organ donation in China

Background  Organ transplantation represents an important advance in modern medical science, and it has benefited many patients with organ failure; however, the severe deficiency of organ sources has been a bottleneck that has limited the benefits this technology can bring. The aim of this study was to show the results of a survey on Chinese people’s awareness and attitudes toward organ donation.

Methods  We designed a questionnaire regarding organ donation consisting of 20 short questions, which were distributed to 10 groups. Most of the questions were multiple-choice; the core question related to people’s attitudes to organ donation and the development of organ donation. The survey was held in the outpatient hall of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, a commercial district, and four professional colleges. Participants were randomly selected, and answered questions about gender, age, educational background, profession, and study major.

Results  In all, 2930 valid responses were received. Male:female ratio was nearly 1:1.2 (mean age 38 years). Over 90.0% of participants knew about organ transplantation and which organs could be transplanted; more than 95.0% knew about organ donation, but the time they had been aware of it varied. Nearly 90.0% of the participants approved of deceased organ donation; 73.0% indicated they would like to donate their organs post mortem. Participants who knew more about organ failure and organ transplantation were more likely to support organ donation. College students were very positive about organ donation, though as they gain professional knowledge their attitudes may change. Altogether, 65.3% of participants approved of living organ donation, which was obviously lower than the figure for deceased organ donation (P <0.05). In all, 85.7% of participants approved of compensation to the deceased donor’s family. To promote organ donation in China, 62.9% of participants indicated that the public’s knowledge about organ donation should be increased via the media and various kinds of education. Only 20.0% of the participants believed that legislation was required.

Conclusions  We conclude that at present the Chinese public has a basic understanding about organ transplantation and donation. The majority respondents were in favor of deceased organ donation and were willing to donate their own organs after death.

     

医学生循证医学知识、态度、行为和技能的调查分析

目的了解高年级医学本科生的循证医学知识、态度、行为和技能(KABP)的现况。方法整群抽样,横断面调查。结果对北京大学医学部285名高年级医学本科生的KABP情况调查结果显示,目前大部分高年级医学生对循证医学不了解,多数医学生在临床实践中不具备自我学习的主动性,循证医学知识运用情况和检索医学专业信息的技能水平较低。调查显示,专业是影响KABP的主要因素。结论大部分高年级医学本科生循证医学知识的掌握程度、临床实践行为、知识运用技能和信息检索技能均处于较低的水平,开展系统、有效的循证医学教育势在必行。     

Perceptions of professional attributes in medicine: a qualitative study in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE. Medical professionalism has been widely discussed in western scholarly literature. However, since Hong Kong has a mixed Chinese-western culture, it remains uncertain whether Hong Kong health care professionals, medical students, and patients see medical professionalism in exactly the same way as westerners. The objective of the present study was to explore perceptions of medical professionalism in Hong Kong. DESIGN. Individual semi-structured interviews. SETTING. Medical faculty preceptors, residents, interns, nurses, and students from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. Subjects were recruited at an out-patient clinic of Queen Mary Hospital. PARTICIPANTS. We interviewed 39 subjects, including six medical faculty preceptors, six hospital residents, four medical interns, eight nurses, eight out-patients, and seven medical students. The interviews were transcribed and coded. Grounded theory was employed for framing and analysing the interviews. RESULTS. A total of 30 primary themes were identified and grouped under three secondary themes, ie 'Expectations of a professional doctor', 'Work values', and 'Patient care'. In general, the primary themes were consistent with recognised professional attributes in western bioethics, such as knowledge and skills, holistic care, and communication skills. A closer analysis suggested that traditional Chinese thought also played an important role in shaping the medical professionalism of Hong Kong. Challenges to be faced by Hong Kong doctors due to recent social changes were also identified. CONCLUSIONS. Medical professionalism in Hong Kong is shaped by both western medical ethics and traditional Chinese thought. The values treasured by Hong Kong health care professionals as well as technological advance, and the city's proximity to Mainland China makes Hong Kong health care unique. It is important to maintain the present work attitudes and at the same time adapt to new social changes.     

大学生对器官移植和器官捐献认知状况及态度的调查研究

通过对保定市5所高校学生进行关于器官移植和器官捐献认知状况及态度的调查分析，结果显示：大学生对器官移植及身后器官捐献知识的了解甚少，医学生掌握得较好，但仍不容乐观，回答完全正确的比例仅为28．81％；未能充分利用学校教育、报刊杂志、广播电视等媒体进行宣传；影响捐献器官的主要因素是对器官捐献知识及社会意义的了解程度。因此，建议充分利用各种媒体加强有关知识的宣传。     

某医校学员AIDS知识态度行为认知水平调查分析

目的了解某医校学员艾滋病(AIDS)知识、态度、高危行为认知的现况并分析其影响因素。方法对某医校1117名学员进行AIDS知识、态度和高危行为认知水平的现况调查分析。结果①AIDS相关知识的正确回答率最高为98.93%,最低为21.22%;态度期望回答率最高为94.99%,最低为7.43%;高危行为认知正确回答率最高为96.42%,最低为38.59%。对AIDS预防措施的认知水平正确回答率最高为94.18%,最低为16.20%。②对AIDS知识态度行为认知得分进行多因素Logistic回归分析发现,总分与年级、入学前是否学过医有关联(t=5.49,P0.01;t=2.60,P0.01),进一步分析发现高年级学员其知识、行为认知分值及总分明显高于低年级学员(P0.01),医学本科和医学大专学员的知识、态度、行为认知分值及总分明显高于护理大专和药学、检验、放射大专(P0.01)。入学前学过医的学员的行为认知分值和总分高于未学过医的学员(P0.05)。③相关分析发现,AIDS行为认知与态度、态度与知识、行为认知与知识分值呈正相关(P0.01)。结论某医校学员对AIDS知识的掌握尚不理想,其态度和行为认知尚不乐观,应加强对学员AIDS相关知识的教育,端正态度,引导其行为,以确保其掌握更准确的知识,将来更好地完成医疗工作任务。     

Knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices of medical students and house staff regarding the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism

Although alcoholism is prevalent in both general and inpatient populations, barriers to its timely diagnosis and effective treatment exist. These are often attributed to physicians' inadequate understanding and skill development and negative attitudes toward the disease. All Johns Hopkins' medical students and house staff, during 1986 through 1987, received a self-administered survey of their attitudes, skills, perceived role responsibility, knowledge, and reported practices with regard to alcoholism. Results indicate a strong relationship between perceived role responsibility, confidence in skills, and reported screening and referral practices among students and house staff. Knowledge levels strengthened the association between skills and practices for medical students. House staff perceived less of a responsibility for screening than medical students. There was a trend toward lower confidence and more negative attitudes among house staff than medical students. The results point to areas where educational interventions can be improved to enhance quality of care and outcomes for this major chronic disease.     

A survey of fourth-year medical students' decisions regarding family practice as a career

With a decline in the proportion of medical students pursuing family practice careers, it is necessary to better understand the factors influencing their career decisions. The Fishbein model of attitude formation was used as a framework for developing a questionnaire to measure students' attitudes toward a career in family practice and the social support students perceived they had for that career. The questionnaire was administered to fourth-year-medical students a short time before residency match day. Both the attitude and social support scales had excellent psychometric characteristics. The usefulness of these scales in discriminating between career choices of family practice and other clinical careers was tested. The social support scale did not discriminate well, whereas the attitude scale discriminated quite well. The students who chose careers in family practice differed from students who chose other careers in 14 of 19 values about characteristics of family practice but differed from them in only two of 19 beliefs about family practice. The implications for advising medical students about careers in family practice are discussed.     

Smoking behaviour, knowledge and opinion of medical students

On the basis of a questionnaire on smoking behaviour, knowledge and attitudes administered to medical students in the University of Malaya in July 1987, the prevalence of smoking was found to be low (10%) among medical students. Smokers and non-smokers were equally well informed about common smoking complications. Most students, irrespective of smoking status, felt that they would as future doctors, often advise sick smokers against smoking. In contrast, less than half would do so for healthy smokers who do not themselves raise the question of smoking. The students' personal smoking behaviour also influenced their view of their professional role. Appropriate values, attitudes and a preventive approach towards smoking need to be further developed in the medical students' thinking and behaviour.     

医学生沟通技能态度及相关因素分析

目的调查医学生对沟通技能的态度,了解其相关因素。方法采用方便抽样的方法抽取306名医学生,应用一般资料问卷及Donald[4]等研制的医学沟通技能态度中文版进行调查。结果医学生正性态度均分为(3.94±0.45),负性态度均分为(2.45±0.73),中性态度均分(3.28±0.63).不同性别的医学生之间沟通技能态度各维度之间无统计学差异(P>0.05);护理专业的学生在正性态度得分高于其他专业(P<0.01),而负性态度得分低于其他专业(P<0.05),而中性态度各专业间无统计学差异;医学生的实践经历与正性态度成正相关(P<0.01),而与负性态度成负相关(P<0.01),与中性态度未发现相关性(P>0.05)。结论医学生对沟通技能的态度是积极的。不同专业及实践经历的多少与沟通技能的正性态度及负性态度有关,而与中性态度无关,性别与沟通技能态度之间不存在相关性。     

医护本科学生对待死亡及临终关怀态度的调查

目的 了解医科大学护理及医疗专业学生对待死亡及临终关怀的态度。方法 对某医科大学护理、临床医学、口腔医学专业的349名本科医学生进行对待死亡及临终关怀态度的问卷调查。结果 医护本科学生对待个人、患者死亡及濒死的态度，以及对医院临终关怀现状认识均不如医护工作人员积极，但有着更为积极临终关怀照护的态度；21．6％学生认为自己了解临终关怀学，88％学生觉得自己有必要学习临终关怀知识。结论 医学生对待死亡及临终关怀态度应进一步加强，对临终关怀教育是必要可行的。     

A program to teach house calls for the elderly to fourth-year medical students

The authors report on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a curriculum to teach house calls for the elderly to fourth-year medical students. A faculty committee drew up a statement of philosophy: developed attitude, knowledge, and skill objectives: and specified required educational experiences for the curriculum. which was incorporated into a required eight-week rotation in ambulatory medicine. In 1985 and 1986, 18 students completed the new curriculum at three different clinic sites and made a total of 167 documented house calls. Prerotation and postrotation measurement of the students' attitudes documented a significantly (p less than .003) more favorable attitude toward house calls after completion of the curriculum. The students further indicated that they were more likely after the curriculum than before it to provide house calls as part of their future medical practice. The students' evaluation of the curriculum provided information on the relative effectiveness of teaching strategies used in the curriculum and documented the success of the curriculum in transmitting knowledge about the homebound elderly.