CONTEXT: Understanding how organ donors' families recover from their grief can help organ procurement organizations improve consent rates and increase the number of deceased donor organs available for transplant. OBJECTIVE: To determine what helps the loved ones of deceased organ donors heal from their grief and loss, and to better understand families' needs during the consent process as a way of improving overall consent rates for organ donation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Written survey of all organ and tissue donors' families in the San Diego and Imperial County (California) service area during 2006 and 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to the 20-question survey addressing factors that help healing from grief, as well as contextual information about the families' experience at the hospital and the consent process. RESULTS: Most respondents (84%) indicated that family support was the most helpful thing in dealing with their grief, followed by the support of friends (74%) and religious and cultural beliefs (37%). Most (75%) indicated that they agreed to donation so that something positive could result from their loss. Most respondents (93%) felt that they were given enough information to make an informed decision about donation, and 6% indicated that the donation process interfered with funeral or memorial arrangements. More than 95% understood that their loved one had died before they were approached for consent. Consistent with previous studies, 12% said they still had unanswered questions about aspects of donation, and 15% of respondents indicated that the discussion about organ donation added more emotional stress to their overall experience.
CONTEXT: Understanding how organ donors' families recover from their grief can help organ procurement organizations improve consent rates and increase the number of deceased donor organs available for transplant. OBJECTIVE: To determine what helps the loved ones of deceased organ donors heal from their grief and loss, and to better understand families' needs during the consent process as a way of improving overall consent rates for organ donation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Written survey of all organ and tissue donors' families in the San Diego and Imperial County (California) service area during 2006 and 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to the 20-question survey addressing factors that help healing from grief, as well as contextual information about the families' experience at the hospital and the consent process. RESULTS: Most respondents (84%) indicated that family support was the most helpful thing in dealing with their grief, followed by the support of friends (74%) and religious and cultural beliefs (37%). Most (75%) indicated that they agreed to donation so that something positive could result from their loss. Most respondents (93%) felt that they were given enough information to make an informed decision about donation, and 6% indicated that the donation process interfered with funeral or memorial arrangements. More than 95% understood that their loved one had died before they were approached for consent. Consistent with previous studies, 12% said they still had unanswered questions about aspects of donation, and 15% of respondents indicated that the discussion about organ donation added more emotional stress to their overall experience.
Authors: Lauren J Taylor; Anne Buffington; Joseph R Scalea; Norman Fost; Kenneth D Croes; Joshua D Mezrich; Margaret L Schwarze Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2017-09-18 Impact factor: 8.086
Authors: Maaike F Nijhoff; Robert A Pol; Meint Volbeda; Angela M M Kotsopoulos; Johan P C Sonneveld; Luuk Otterspoor; Wilson F Abdo; Vera M Silderhuis; Mostafa El Moumni; Cyril Moers Journal: Transplantation Date: 2021-06-01 Impact factor: 4.939