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Awareness of Health Disparities in Organ Donation among Osteopathic Medical Students

Journal: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association Date: 2007/08, 107(8):Pages: 362-363. doi: Subito , type of study: cross sectional study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2007.107.8.327/html)

Keywords:

awareness [27]
cross sectional study [863]
medical students [659]
organ donation [1]
osteopathic medicine [2055]
USA [1707]

Abstract:

Introduction: Close to 100,000 Americans are on waiting lists for an organ transplant; nearly half are from minority populations. The shortage of transplantable organs has a significant effect on the mortality of African Americans. Despite sponsored campaigns to recruit minority organ donors; donation rate increases have been marginal. Physicians can play a key role in educating African Americans about organ donation. We hypothesize that osteopathic medical students are not aware of the cultural barriers African Americans face regarding organ donation and transplantation. Methodology: This IRB-approved, prospective study targeted first- and second-year medical students at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. All registered students received a 22-question survey. Due to small class size, consent was limited to self-selection. The survey contained 4 subscales: awareness of organ donation barriers; perceived attitudes to organ donation; knowledge of needs and demands for organ donation; and, sensitivity to cultural/racial differences regarding organ donation. Chi square analysis was performed; significance was set at the 5% level. Results: The survey was completed by 156 students (66 male - 43%;90 female - 57%): African Americans 24 (15%), Caucasians 111 (71%), Asians 11 (7%), Hispanics 5 (3%), Native Americans 1 (<1%), Other 4 (3%). Of the participants, 65% believe racial/ethnic differences were not barriers to successful organ transplantation (p=0.0001); 69% fear the medical community may take their organs before offering life saving treatment (p=0.0001); 78% mistrust the medical community (p=0.0001);67% fear unequal distributions of organs to non-minorities (p=0.0001). Students identified these reasons why African Americans may be less likely to become organ donors; however, some students (63%) believe disruption of the body's integrity (p=0.0001) and superstitions/religious beliefs (59%) were not reasons. Only 10% of participants scored 80% or above on the total knowledge of the needs and demands for organ donation among African Americans (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Osteopathic medical students in this study are not fully aware of cultural barriers faced by African Americans regarding organ donation and transplantation. If students become aware of this dilemma, they will be better equipped to educate these patients and, thus, help to reduce health disparities that African Americans encounter in organ donation and transplantation.


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