*Purpose: Asian Americans have the lowest organ donation registration rates in the United States (US). Physicians in Asian communities are often sought out for advice and recommendations for issues beyond immediate health concerns. As a result, physicians are able to influence how organ donor registration is perceived.

*Methods: A questionnaire was developed based on systematic literature review and multiple face-to-face key informant interviews. In addition to demographic information, organ donation knowledge and awareness, personal and professional experience, as well as religious, cultural, and social attitudes toward organ donation were assessed. The questionnaire was distributed to Asian American physicians serving patients in Flushing, Queens via email or in person between February and November 2019.

*Results: 121 physicians of Chinese and Korean descent completed the survey. Respondents included more men (60%), and a majority were foreign born (93%) and attended medical school outside the US (62%) but reported being in the US for a median of 30 years. A minority (22%) were registered organ donors, but only 29% of those not registered were unwilling to consider registering. All physicians (100%) agreed that organ donation is a noble act that saves lives and benefits society. While physicians on average answered 66% of the knowledge questions correctly (Figure 1), only 35% of the physicians reported having prior training or a course on organ donation. While all physicians were aware of the shortage of organs for transplantation and 88% reported knowing a patient or community member in need of a transplant or who had received a transplant, only 35% reported having a strong understanding of brain death. Only 42% of physicians felt like they knew enough to speak competently to patients about organ donation, and this discomfort was not associated with whether they were trained in the US or their level of religiosity/spirituality. Physicians who were registered organ donors had higher knowledge scores (median 76% correct vs 71% correct among non-donors) and more frequently reported feeling confident in discussing organ donation (52% vs 44%).

*Conclusions: Our survey identified significant deficits in knowledge about organ donation among physicians of Chinese and Korean descent that appears to be associated with lower rates of registration as organ donors. Educational efforts promoting communication and discussion about organ donation among community thought leaders like physicians could potentially increase organ donation awareness and willingness to donate.

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