Families reconsider decision to donate
Family attitudes toward organ donation are shifting, resulting in more questions surrounding the process, according to research published by Washington University and Mid-America Trans plant Services, both in St. Louis.
In fact, 20% of families questioned would alter their decision regarding donation. Follow-up surveys were conducted with families one year after the decision to donate was made.
Researchers reported contacting a total of 225 families in the March 20, 1998, issue of the jour nal Psychosomatic Medicine. While 178 families were comfortable with the decision, 22 stated they would not donate an organ again. Conversely, 25 families reported they would have chosen to donate.1
Better communication neededThe change in response to organ donation stems partly from the need for better communication between the organ donor and family members, say the researchers. Barry Hong, MD, and his colleagues stress the importance of staff and family communication.
"It is critical that the hospital staff do everything possible to instill confidence in the family and to demonstrate support for their decisions," he says.
Hong and his colleagues also note two factors influencing the likelihood of whether or not an organ is donated. First, religious persons question decisions about organ donation more often than less-religious persons. Second, organ donation that takes place in community hospitals leaves families more satisfied than when donation occurs in larger medical facilities.
Reference1. Burroughs T, Hong B, Kappel D, et al. The stability of family decisions to consent or refuse organ donation: Would you do it again? Psychosom Med 1998:156-162.
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