Understanding ambivalence toward organ donation and transplantation: An exploratory study of nursing students

There is a continuing shortage of organs for transplantation purposes worldwide. Determining why this is a recurring problem is necessary as organ transplantation is a highly successful life saving measure. It is possible that ambivalence is key to this shortage.

To explore the possible existence of ambivalence toward organ donation and transplantation among Canadian nursing students, and gaining insights into this ambivalence when present.

An exploratory study using a structured questionnaire to explore the existence of ambivalence in relation to donating and receiving an organ for transplantation purposes.

A total of 170 undergraduate nursing students at a Canadian university participated in this study by completing a brief questionnaire distributed to all five classes of nursing students who were taking a mandatory research course during the 2017-18 university calendar year. The survey tool was designed to collect quantitative and qualitative data in relation to their ambivalence toward organ donation and transplantation.

Nursing students are more willing to receive an organ than to donate. The willingness to donate or receive an organ was related to their personal beliefs and moral codes, religion, level of knowledge, and the existence of ambivalence.

This study reveals important insights into ambivalence about donating and receiving organs. The study found it was very easy to introduce ambivalence among nursing students, with this information highly relevant for student education and other applications.