BACKGROUND: There are many views regarding the initiation of the process for live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), the motives of the donor and the appropriate ways to promote LDKT. METHODS: Health care professionals and patients were recruited in a tertiary renal and transplant centre and completed an anonymous questionnaire. They were then divided into focus groups and a structured interview was performed in order to discover the rationale behind the answers in the questionnaire. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-four participants completed the questionnaire. There were 168 health care professionals and 296 patients. Most of the participants (26.9%) suggested that the first approach to a potential donor should be made by the potential recipient. Participants believed that the most important motives for a kidney donor are relief as a result of the recipient's improved health after the transplant (82.5%) and altruism (80.4%). About 89.2% of participants believed that proper long-term medical follow-up of the donor is the most important factor for LDKT promotion. Fifty-five participants discussed the rationale of their answers in the focus group interview. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, participants preferred an initial approach of the donor by the recipient. The relief as a result of the recipient's improved health was suggested as a very strong motive for donation. Proper donor follow-up was considered to be paramount for the further development of LDKT.
BACKGROUND: There are many views regarding the initiation of the process for live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), the motives of the donor and the appropriate ways to promote LDKT. METHODS: Health care professionals and patients were recruited in a tertiary renal and transplant centre and completed an anonymous questionnaire. They were then divided into focus groups and a structured interview was performed in order to discover the rationale behind the answers in the questionnaire. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-four participants completed the questionnaire. There were 168 health care professionals and 296 patients. Most of the participants (26.9%) suggested that the first approach to a potential donor should be made by the potential recipient. Participants believed that the most important motives for a kidney donor are relief as a result of the recipient's improved health after the transplant (82.5%) and altruism (80.4%). About 89.2% of participants believed that proper long-term medical follow-up of the donor is the most important factor for LDKT promotion. Fifty-five participants discussed the rationale of their answers in the focus group interview. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, participants preferred an initial approach of the donor by the recipient. The relief as a result of the recipient's improved health was suggested as a very strong motive for donation. Proper donor follow-up was considered to be paramount for the further development of LDKT.