Ferat Buran, İbrahim Tokluoğlu

Organ Donation and Brain Death Attitudes Among Anatomy Research Assistants in Türkiye: A Nationwide Study

Introduction

Organ donation and brain death attitudes among anatomy research assistants in türkiye: a nationwide study. Study reveals anatomy research assistants in Türkiye have high brain death knowledge but low organ donation. Concerns over fairness, ethics, and trust impact attitudes more than religion.

Abstract

Objective: Organ donation remains a major global health challenge, with less than 10% of transplant needs met worldwide. In Türkiye, cadaveric donation rates remain low despite legal and institutional efforts. Anatomy research assistants constitute a unique group exposed early to cadaveric dissection and medical ethics, yet their attitudes toward organ donation have not been systematically examined. This study evaluated their knowledge, beliefs, and ethical perspectives regarding organ donation and brain death. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among research assistants in Anatomy Departments across 129 medical faculties in Türkiye. A 15-item questionnaire assessed sociodemographic factors, donation attitudes, knowledge of brain death, and ethical judgments. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U, and Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests (p<0.05). Results: Of 101 eligible assistants, 88 participated (87.1%). Only 20.45% were registered donors, while 65.91% reported reservations—mainly concerns about procedural difficulty and fairness in organ allocation. Although knowledge of brain death was high (87.50%), only 37.50% supported continuing mechanical ventilation after confirmed brain death. Opt-out legislation produced divided responses: 55.68% viewed it as ethically inappropriate, whereas 44.32% considered it necessary. Significant differences by graduation field and donor status were observed, especially regarding sociocultural prioritization and ethical reasoning. Body-integrity concerns were greater among those who had never considered donation (p=0.001). Conclusion: Despite strong theoretical knowledge, organ donation attitudes among anatomy research assistants are influenced more by institutional trust, ethical concerns, and perceived fairness than by religious or demographic factors. Targeted educational strategies and greater policy transparency may enhance donation awareness in medical training environments.

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