title: Knowledge and attitude of the Flemish primary care physician toward organ donation and transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Primary care physicians (PCP) might play an important role in the acceptance of organ donation (OD) in the population. This would require both a positive attitude and a good basic knowledge about the organ donation and transplantation (ODT) process. Studies on this subject are very limited however. The objectives of this study are to determine the knowledge and attitude of the PCP towards OD in Flanders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-hundred twenty-seven Flemish PCPs completed an electronic questionnaire, comprising 6 sections: demographic factors, practical experience, knowledge, education, attitude and potential role in the ODT process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-seven percent of the Flemish PCP agree with the implementation of heart-beating organ donation. Ninety-four percent would agree to donate the organs of their own child. 80% know that even without explicit consent the prelevation of the organs and tissues of each potential Belgian donor will take place. Although they are aware of the current legislation, their knowledge regarding donor criteria showed significant gaps. A minority of the PCP's know that donors can be little brain-dead children (53%) or elderly above 70 years (45%). Only 61% of PCPs know that brain dead is associated with irreversible damage to the brain and only 28% know that more than one physician is involved in making the diagnosis. A majority (91%) is willing to play a role in the ODT process. But about two-thirds (61%) of them doubt their ability to answer questions of patients on this subject. 82.5% of this group would find it useful to participate in a specific training. When they are offered different choices to play a role in the process, the most accepted (84%) one is informing the transplant centre about the donor's medical history and risk behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Flemish PCP has a positive attitude towards ODT. He is willing to play a role in the ODT process. However, our study clearly documents deficits in the knowledge about brain death and the need for postgraduate training in the field of ODT. Correcting these deficits may be an important factor in improving the acceptance of organ donation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Solid Organ Transplantation, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coucke
authors.affiliation: Department of Solid Organ Transplantation, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Snoeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Maeseneer
authors.affiliation: Department of Solid Organ Transplantation, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haentjens
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peersman
authors.affiliation: Department of Solid Organ Transplantation, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Troisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Solid Organ Transplantation, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Xavier.rogiers@uzgent.be.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rogiers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001530:Belgium; D001926:Brain Death; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement