P-46 Religious Leaders’ Perspectives on Organ Donation & Transplantation in a Developing Country
Author(s):
BJ Elcock- Straker
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: This study evaluated Religious Leaders’ personal knowledge and attitudes to organ donation and transplantation (ODT) and whether this changed after an educational video. It used this to gauge if ODT education of these leaders can increase knowledge and acceptance of organ donation in the local communities.
Design and Methods: Approval for research was granted by the NWRHA Ethics Committee. Primary data was gleaned by an Online survey of Religious Leaders’ personal knowledge of ODT issued to the leaders of the main religious denominations in T&T via telephone request & email message with the invitation. Views were assessed before and after an educational PowerPoint video on ODT to determine if this can improve OD, brain death dialogue and bereavement counselling as part of end-of-life care, making them community change agents.
Results: Religious Leaders showed supportive positive attitudes to ODT, the majority understood Brain death, and one issued a policy position on deceased organ donation.
Conclusion: Religious Leaders’ ODT education can enhance end-of-life care, bereavement counselling and community change.