Direct contact between donor families and recipients: crisis or consolation?

A dramatic growth has been seen in the number of organ procurement organizations, transplant programs, and new initiatives related to solving the organ shortage, as well as in the development of protocols dealing with the logistics of facilitating organ and tissue recovery. Extensive deliberation on critical issues related to the organ donor shortage is evident in professional meetings, publications, and educational endeavors. Little research has been conducted, however, regarding direct contact between donor families and recipients, a highly controversial subject in transplantation and procurement. Should there be contact between donor families and recipients? What format should such contacts take? Who should decide? These are questions that must be considered in the field. This article will explore an organ procurement organization's 5-year experience regarding direct contact between donor families and recipients.