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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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01-12-2014 | Cornea

Attitudes toward postmortem cornea donation in Germany: a multicenter survey

Authors: C. E. Uhlig, R. Koch, J. Promesberger, G. Hirschfeld, H. Schmidt, B. Seitz, T. Reinhard, D. Böhringer

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 12/2014

Abstract

Purpose

To analyse the willingness for postmortem cornea donation in Germany.

Methods

Employees in two cities (UKM, UKS), and university hospitals (STM, STE), members of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG), and employees of an automobile company (BO) participated in a questionnaire about postmortem cornea donation attitudes. The questionnaire consisted of demographic items, motives concerning postmortem cornea donation, general attitudes toward donation, and questions concerning the perceived needs for information about donation. The statistical analyses included logistic regression with the target parameter of 'willingness to donate cornea postmortem'.

Results

Of the participants, 67.7 % (UKM, UKS), 70.9 % (STM, STE), 70.8 % (BO), and 79.4 % (DOG) declared their intention to donate their corneas postmortem. Younger age (p < 0.001), poorer general health (p < 0.05), faith in an eternal life (p < 0.05), disagreement with brain death diagnostics (p < 0.001), fear of receiving worse medical treatment (p < 0.001), and fear of the commercialization of organs (p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for a negative attitude toward postmortem cornea. The majority of participants (57.4 %) indicated that additional information about donation would be appreciated, and the internet (69.9 %) was considered the most appropriate means for conveying this information.

Conclusions

Emotional items were revealed to be the most relevant factors influencing the willingness to donate cornea postmortem, which may be counteracted by means of public education. The relatively low willingness among the medical staff contrasts with previous observations in a professional ophthalmologic society.

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Title: Attitudes toward postmortem cornea donation in Germany: a multicenter survey
Authors: C. E. Uhlig
R. Koch
J. Promesberger
G. Hirschfeld
H. Schmidt
B. Seitz
T. Reinhard
D. Böhringer
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2796-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Attitudes toward postmortem cornea donation in Germany: a multicenter survey

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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