title: Knowledge and behavior among health professionals in relation to cadaveric organ donation and transplantation: a questionnaire-based analysis in Portuguese hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge and behavior relative to cadaveric organ donation and transplantation among physicians and nurses working at nine Portuguese hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study between May and October 2009 included 495 questionnaires that were returned among 840 that were delivered, a 59% response rate. The transplant questionnaire comprised three main sections: section 1, sociodemographic-professional variables of the participants with nine questions; section 2, generic questions on organ donation and transplantation with 12 questions; and section 3 evaluated knowledge with 20 specific questions on organ donation and transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one percent of the participants were females, with 40% of the overall cohort between 31 and 40 years old; 62% married; 63% working in the emergency department; and 78% nurses. Although 78% of the participants stated that they had undergone specific training on organ donation and transplantation, 62% felt that they needed more training. The reasons evoked for the low rate of donation included difficulties in initiating the process of organ donation, in diagnosing cerebral death and in obtaining necessary human resources. There were no significant differences in knowledge between physicians and nurses concerning specific organ donation and transplantation issues. Having had specific training on organ donation and transplantation was significantly associated with correct answers to several questions, including those pertaining to knowledge of the national legislation on organ donation and transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed a lack of specific knowledge and training on organ donation and transplantation issue. It also suggested that for hospital staff to successfully act as initiators of the organ procurement process, more information and education are necessary. This effort could significantly increase the rate of organ donation and transplantation in Portugal.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Hospital São Teotónio, Viseu, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pina
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011174:Portugal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement