Organ Donor Cards--concepts versus reality: a study among academic students in Poland

Organ Donor Cards (ODCs), despite presenting no legal value in Poland, are considered an important mean of expressing one's intent toward organ donation. This study was an assessment of the effectiveness of ODCs in social communication and their connection to one's transplantology knowledge, attitude, and beliefs.

The study included 400 medical students and 400 nonmedical students from public universities in Kraków, Poland. Data were collected by using an anonymous questionnaire with attached ODCs examining demographic factors and transplantology issues.

Approximately 41% of students possess an ODC, and the majority of the remaining group are willing to sign one. The main reasons for not having an ODC originate from a positive or neutral interest in organ donation (eg, previous conversation with the family, lack of knowledge about ODCs and how to obtain them) rather than a negative one (fear of "do not resuscitate" approach or organ trade) and remain open for modification. Eighty-three percent of ODC holders are aware of its ethical rather than legal value, and 3 of 4 have informed their family about their attitude, proving ODCs are an effective way of expressing one's intent toward organ donation. An actual ODC holder presents a more explicit positive attitude than a potential one, and his or her level of transplantology knowledge is significantly higher.

The support for informed consent for organ donation is particularly strong among students presenting with the highest level of transplantology awareness, with a good/very good state of knowledge and extremely positive attitudes, already owning an ODC, and using it correctly. Thus, such a decision will have the status of a truly conscious and thoroughly considered choice.