Nurses' knowledge about and attitudes toward organ donation in state and private hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa

摘要

BACKGROUND. Nurses are intricately involved in organ donation; however, the referral of donors appears to be declining in Johannesburg, South Africa (SA). This may be due to barriers in the referral process. OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to explore nurses' knowledge of the organ donation process and to explore personal beliefs and attitudes around organ donation. METHODS. A quantitative, self-administered questionnaire was completed by nurses in Johannesburg, SA. RESULTS. A total of 273 nurses participated, of whom most were female and CONCLUSION. There is an urgent need to clarify the role of nurses in the process of organ donor referral in SA. Although nurses felt positive about organ donation, they expressed uncertainties about referring potential donors. However, if a clear protocol for referral was introduced, the majority of nurses noted that they would willingly follow it. We advocate for the development and implementation of a nationally endorsed protocol for donor referral and for the training of nurses in organ donation in SA.