The perspectives of healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and the general public on becoming a donor for solid organ transplantation

Organ donation and transplantation, although representing one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine, remain at insufficient levels in our country due to lack of knowledge, misconceptions, ethical concerns, and religious reservations within society. Healthcare professionals and religious officials play a critical role in shaping public attitudes toward organ donation. The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of healthcare professionals, religious officials, and the general population in Konya regarding organ donation and transplantation, and to identify potential problem areas within this process. Materials and Methods This study is a cross-sectional survey conducted under the auspices of Selçuk University. Participants consisted of three main groups: the general population (n=329), healthcare professionals (n=144), and religious officials (n=28). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on the literature and expert opinion. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about organ donation and transplantation, and attitudes toward these issues. Data were analyzed statistically, and differences between groups were assessed using appropriate methods such as the chi-square test. Results In this study, the attitudes toward organ donation of three different groups consisting of the general population, healthcare workers, and religious officials in the province of Konya were examined comparatively. The prominent results were found as follows: No significant relationship was identified between the general opinions on organ donation and sociodemographic variables among the general population, healthcare workers, and religious officials. The rate of positive attitude toward organ donation was highest among healthcare personnel with 74.3%, while this rate was 67.9% among religious officials and 62% in the general population. It was noted that although approximately 40% of the general population displayed a positive attitude toward organ donation, the actual donation behavior was at quite low levels. In particular, the likelihood of individuals with access to information showing a positive attitude was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). In the general population group, individuals with a high school education level or above had a more positive approach toward organ donation (p<0.001). Among the general population, the rate of having previously attempted to donate organs was also higher among those who thought positively about organ donation (p=0.021). It was determined that the same group was more inclined to donate the organs of a relative who had been declared brain dead, and more willing to accept organ or tissue transplantation for themselves if needed (p<0.001). Additionally, the rate of having previously received information about organ transplantation and donation among these individuals was also found to be significantly higher (p=0.042). Among healthcare workers, those who exhibited a positive attitude toward being a donor had higher rates of donating the organs of a relative diagnosed with brain death (p<0.001) and accepting to live with a transplant for themselves when necessary (p<0.001). Moreover, the level of knowledge about organ donation in this group was higher than those with negative or indecisive attitudes (p=0.011). It was also observed that individuals among healthcare workers who reported a negative attitude also evaluated their own health status more poorly (p=0.020). Similarly, among religious officials, those with positive attitudes were more inclined to donate the organs of a relative who had experienced brain death (p=0.001). On the other hand, it was understood that the general population was more reluctant in this regard, and that family consent still constituted a significant barrier to organ donation. Additionally, healthcare workers and religious officials who believed they had received adequate professional training regarding organ transplantation were found to have higher rates of persuading and guiding the relatives of deceased individuals toward organ donation in their professional lives (p=0.015 and p=0.017, respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrates that positive attitudes toward organ donation are largely associated with individuals' educational levels and access to information. As the level of education increases and access to knowledge improves, positive attitudes toward organ donation also increase significantly. Particularly, healthcare professionals and religious officials, who have a strong influence on society, becoming more competent in this area may positively shape the attitudes of the general population. Therefore, in-service training programs for these two professional groups—regularly conducted with updated medical and religious content—are of great importance. Moreover, awareness campaigns conducted with the active participation of these groups, who are in direct contact with society, may prove effective in increasing donation rates. The findings also reveal that, despite the widespread presence of positive attitudes toward organ donation in society, actual donation rates do not correspond to these attitudes. Notably, while many individuals expressed reluctance to donate organs to others, they were more willing to accept transplantation for themselves when necessary. This reflects ethical dilemmas surrounding organ donation. Similar patterns were observed among healthcare professionals and religious officials, suggesting that ethical awareness in this field must be supported not only with knowledge but also with value-based education. Keywords: Organ Donation, Brain Death, Healthcare Professionals, Religious Officials