Medical Students' Knowledge About Brain Death: A South African Contribution

Incorporating transplantation into undergraduate medical curricula can improve organ procurement rates. Intricacies related to the assessment of donor suitability, the clinical diagnosis of brain death, and relevant legal processes are key challenges for the newly qualified doctor. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze knowledge of medical students regarding the various aspects dealing with the diagnosis of brain death, with a view to designing an undergraduate training module.

A previously validated, self-administered, 26-item questionnaire was distributed to all medical students at the University of Cape Town. General data included age, sex, year of study, and career interests. Knowledge-specific questions explored the suitability of potential organ donors (8 items), the clinical diagnosis of brain death (7 items), and legal factors (11 items) thereof. Descriptive statistical methods were then used to analyze the data.

There were 346 participants; 217 (63%) were pre-clinical students and 29 (8%) carried an organ donor card. The mean and median scores for the 26 items were both 12 (range, 0-25). Mean scores increased steadily with years of medical education: from 8 in the first year of study, 10 in the second year, and 17 in the final year. Demographics, year of study, organ donor status, and an interest in a surgical career did not influence knowledge levels (P > .05).

Medical students have limited knowledge about brain death and identification of potential organ donors. This confirms the need for an educational intervention early in the medical curriculum.