Abstract
In Japan, the ignorance and indifference of almost all medical doctors with respect to organ donations hampers the development of transplantation medicines. The author is a neurosurgeon and has been devoting substantial work to improve adequate edification and education about transplantation medicines. In lectures to medical students in medical faculties, the following issues were discussed. 1. Insufficiency of the comprehension or acceptation of a patient's death. 2. Conflicts between personal unwillingness and professional participation. 3. Shortage of information about the rules or data concerning donations and transplantations. 4. Hesitation of inquiries about donations to families of the donation candidates. 5. Confusions about the concepts of brain death in terms of philosophy, law, and medical science. In his lectures, the author has corrected student misunderstandings to clarify the needs and provide guidance to proper recognition. As a result, the students had improved interests and more-positive feelings in regards to transplantation medicines. For a wide diffusion of the appropriate education in all medical faculties in Japan, the participation of doctors in donor activities and decisions is essential. However, it is extremely difficult to accomplish. The author mainly aims at the local success of future organ donations as an initial goal by educating students in several medical universities.
