The supply of organs for transplantation: issues and challenges.

The success of organ transplantation has been well documented, with improvements in quality of life and cost-effectiveness being notable outcomes of the therapy. In this paper, we focus on the major issues and challenges related to the shortage of solid organs available for transplantation. The reasons for the organ shortage are complex and multifaceted. Fewer motor vehicle accident deaths, public perceptions about organ donation, attitudes of health professionals, knowledge of health professionals regarding organ donation, donor identification processes, family consent rates, and ethnocultural considerations are all issues that are important to consider in addressing the shortage.