Attitudes of healthcare professionals working in different fields towards organ transplantation in the hospital sample and the factors affecting these attitudes.

Abstract

Background: There is serious distrust and hesitation in Turkish society against the concept of brain death and related cadaveric organ donation. In this study, we investigated the attitudes of health workers about organ transplantation from cadavers. We also evaluated the effects of race, religiosity and political conservatism parameters on the attitudes of the research group. Methods: A total of 491 participants between the ages of 18-70 who are hospital employees in different fields were included in this study. An Organ Donation Attitude Scale (ODAS) was applied to the participants, which specifically evaluates organ donation from cadavers, and the relationships between the emerging trend and the demographic characteristics of the participants, their education, the task they took in the hospital, ethnic and sectarian origins, religiosity and political conservatism characteristics were evaluated. Results: ODAS scores of our sample group did not show a significant relationship in terms of age, gender, ethnic origin and sect. On the other hand, there was a significant difference in the attitude toward organ transplantation in terms of education levels, the position that they work in the hospital, and the geographical region where the person came from. There was a negative relationship between cadaveric organ transplantation and religiousness and a positive relationship with liberal political views. Conclusion: The attitude towards organ transplantation from cadavers in our country is complex in a way that cannot be explained only by education. A conceptual study of cultural, religious and other different social aspects is necessary for our country.