title: An imperative need to change organ donation and transplant curriculum results of a nationwide United kingdom junior doctor survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Awareness among the medical students and junior doctors about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) may play an important role in increasing organ donor pool. This study surveys the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of ODT among the U.K. junior doctors and attempts to identify their educational needs. To our knowledge, this is first such study in the United Kingdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1,696 junior doctors (809 foundation and 887 core trainees). A 36-point questionnaire explored the junior doctor's knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward ODT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 523 respondents (30.8%). Majority were foundation trainees (58.9%). Only 29.6% had previous exposure to transplantation, which reflected in their poor knowledge on the basics of ODT. Only 47.0% of the respondents were aware that consent from next of kin or family is sought for all deceased organ donation. Those registered as organ donor (69.8%) had better knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes in comparison to those not registered. Majority (84.1%) felt that they were inadequately exposed to ODT, and 96.8% stated that ODT should be part of undergraduate curriculum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Junior doctors in the United Kingdom have limited knowledge about ODT. Although subjected to investigators bias, the results demonstrate that junior doctors' perceptions and attitudes toward ODT were favorable. Majority felt that their ODT knowledge was inadequate and suggested the need for a change in undergraduate ODT curriculum. Increasing knowledge and awareness among junior doctors may help to improve the continuing organ shortage for transplantation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Surgery, Department of Transplantation, St. James' University Hospital NHS Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, United Kingdom. 2 Department of Renal Medicine, St. James University Hospital NHS Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, United Kingdom. 3 Division of Surgery, Department of Transplantation, Royal Free London NHS Trust, Pond Street, London, United Kingdom. 4 Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 19638, Springfield, IL.
authors.forename: Abdul R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hakeem
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dave
authors.forename: K Raj
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Krishna V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewington
authors.forename: Bimbi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanfey
authors.forename: Niaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000523:psychology; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006113:United Kingdom; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult