Knowledge, attitude, and beliefs of interns towards brain death diagnosis

Objective. To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of interns regarding brain death diagnosis and organ donation. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 142 interns at Umm Al-Qura University to assess their understanding of the legal definitions, diagnostic criteria, procedures, and attitudes towards organ donation. Results. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, with many interns demonstrating a limited understanding of key aspects of brain death. While some expressed confidence in their diagnostic abilities, concerns about misdiagnosis and premature organ donation were also prevalent. Conclusion. Although limited by its single-center design, this study highlights the need for enhanced education on brain death in medical training programs. Further research, particularly multicenter studies, is necessary to validate these findings and develop targeted educational interventions to improve interns' comprehension and address their concerns.