title: Knowledge and attitudes of critical care nurses regarding organ donation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes, personal commitment, and professional involvement of Canadian critical care nurses in organ donation. This was part of a larger study of 4900 Canadian nurses and physicians. 50% of nurses receiving questionnaires responded. Of the 147 critical care nurses who responded to the survey, over 92% supported organ donation in principle. However, only 65.3% had completed organ donor cards. Nurses responded correctly to 71.2% of the questions testing knowledge. Attitudes regarding organ donation tended to be positive, but 85% of nurses indicated reluctance to approach potential organ donors. Critical care nurses scored higher than other groups of nurses on the knowledge, attitude, and professional involvement in organ donation subscales.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, BC. amolzahn@hsd.uvic.ca
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Molzahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement