The online organ donation register

In the period from January to February 2022, the Federal Centre for Health Education in Germany conducted a survey of 4,004 people aged 14 to 75 to determine their knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding organ and tissue donation.
According to Section 2 of the Transplantation Act, the target group of the Federal Centre for Health Education is the general population. In order to adequately represent this diverse group, people were surveyed across a wide age range. The study data has now been analyzed.

The survey revealed a generally positive attitude and high willingness to donate organs and tissue. Although the majority have a positive attitude towards donation, only 61 percent have made a concrete decision on how their organs should be handled in the event of their death.

The reasons for approval, rejection or pending decisions were also examined. The level of knowledge and need for information on the subject were surveyed, with one third being well informed. The aim is to increase the number of documented decisions by intensifying and improving educational work.

To this end, a register is now available in which every citizen from the age of 16 can register a decision. The BZgA also offers support in making personal decisions.

Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), Department T 5, Cologne
Authors: 
Rebecca Zimmering, Diana Hammes, (BZgA); Ute Müller, Vanessa Schulz, Franziska Jahn, (forsa)