What is the attitude of hospital transplant-related personnel toward donation?

The attitude of health-care workers, especially in transplant-related services, is fundamental in the process of organ procurement. In this study we examine the attitude of workers in transplant-related services toward cadaveric organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in a third-level hospital in Spain. A random sample was stratified according to type of service and job category (n = 309) among personnel in transplant-related services (organ procurement units, transplant units and follow-up units). Attitude toward cadaveric organ donation was evaluated using a validated psychosocial questionnaire. Seventy percent (n = 215) of respondents were found to be in favor of donation, as opposed to 30% against or undecided (n = 94). Regarding job category, attitude was most favorable among physicians (86%, n = 99; p = 0.000). With respect to type of service, attitude tended to be more negative in organ procurement units and more positive in the follow-up units of transplanted patients (41% vs 81%, p = 0.013). Upon analysis of the psychosocial variables, significant results were found with respect to the following factors: (1) age (39 vs 42 years, p = 0.007); (2) having discussed ODT with family members or with a partner (p = 0.007); (3) understanding of the concept of brain death (p = 0.001); (4) attitude toward carrying out an autopsy (p = 0.001); and (5) concern about the possibility of mutilation after organ extraction. Attitude toward cadaveric donation was lower than expected among personnel in transplant-related services, especially among ancillary personnel and workers in organ procurement units.