Attitudes, knowledge, and related factors concerning organ donation and procurement among nurses in emergency and critical care units

Jia Ping Chang, Lily Yeh, Miin-Jye Wen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes and knowledge concerning organ donation and procurement among nursing staff in the emergency room (ER) and critical care unit (ICU). We also wanted to identify factors associated with nurses' attitudes and knowledge, such as characteristics of personnel, work experience and education. Patients and Methods: The authors used a structured questionnaire to collect data in five units (one ER, and four ICUs) in one medical center located in southern Taiwan. We collected 136 questionnaires, and applied SPSS 8.0 software to analyze the data. Results: The average attitude score was 3.5 (full score was 5), which showed nurses had a slightly positive attitude. The average knowledge score was 9 (full score was 14), which revealed nurses' knowledge was not sufficient to procure organs. Stepwise multiple regressions revealed that significant factors associated with attitude scores were: "be involved in organ procurement" and "individual consent to organ donation"; and significant factors associated with knowledge scores were: "work experience", "clinical ladder", "experience in care of organ donor" and "received education in related topics". Moreover, there was no correlation between the attitude and knowledge scores. Conclusion: Staff in the ER and ICUs had slightly positive attitudes toward organ donation, but their knowledge of this subject was insufficient. The results of the current study can be a reference to design on-the-job education and hopefully to increase the procurement rate to benefit those who are waiting for transplantation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87-96
Number of pages10
JournalTzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume14
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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