Family physicians' role in recruitment of organ donors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if family physicians can increase the commitment of patients to organ donation.


METHODS
Prospective, systematically randomized, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Family practice residency medical center associated with an urban, community-based teaching institution.


METHODS
A total of 300 patients aged 18 years or older, able to give consent, and being seen for non-life-threatening visits; 247 patients returned valid second questionnaires.


METHODS
Instruments included 2 self-administered questionnaires. All patients received questionnaire 1 to be completed in the examination room. They also received an informational brochure, a Michigan Secretary of State driver's license sticker (donor sticker) and questionnaire 2. Group 1 received the written materials only. Group 2 received written materials plus a brief verbal discussion by the investigators following a standard protocol. Questionnaire 2 was to be completed and returned after the interventions.


METHODS
Self-reported completion of donor sticker was used to evaluate commitment to organ donation. Knowledge scores were summed for preintervention and postintervention means.


RESULTS
Thirty-three percent of patients had already committed to organ donation prior to the study. Of those not previously committed, 40% decided to do so after the interventions. There was no statistical difference in the recruitment of donors between the 2 intervention groups. Of new donors identified, 65% stated their decision was due to written materials provided, while 34% attributed this to discussion with a physician. Thirty-five percent of the family members made arrangements to donate their own organs after the discussion with the patient. There was a significant difference between mean pretest and posttest knowledge scores (10 questions; 7.9 vs 9.2; P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Family physicians can increase the commitment to organ donation through a relatively simple intervention.
Department of Family Practice, St John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Mich, USA.
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Bidigare
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Ellis
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement