A Survey of Families of Brain Dead Patients: Their Experiences, Attitudes to Organ Donation and Transplantation

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of 69 families of brain dead patients is reported. The study population included those who had been asked about organ donation as well as those who had not, those who had agreed to organ donation and those who had declined. Their experiences and their perceptions of treatment and explanations of underlying disease, brain death and organ donation were examined. Their own knowledge of and attitudes towards organ donation as well as the prior knowledge and wishes of their deceased relative were also explored.Statistical analysis did not show any differences between the three groups of families with regard to their experiences, their perceptions of the treatment they received, or in the resolution of their grief.Family members who had agreed to organ donation were significantly more likely to donate their own organs and to be more resolved in their grief. There was a strong correspondence between the attitudes of respondents and their agreement or otherwise to donate their relatives' organs. One quarter, however, made the opposite choice for their relative, where their relative's wishes were known. There was a highly significant relationship between those who had previously discussed organ donation to have expected to be asked or to raise the subject themselves.Hospital treatment in general did not appear to have any effect on the decision to donate. Involvement in organ donation was felt by most of the donor families to have been helpful to the grieving process.

Do Medical Students Understand Brain Death? A Survey Study

“…15 Many misconceptions exist regarding organ donation and surround the fundamental concept of brain death. [15][16][17] The term "brain death" itself may be misleading as it implies to some that this is qualitatively different from the more conventionally understood cardiopulmonary death, which is diagnosed in the absence of mechanical cardiopulmonary support. These misunderstandings likely impact donation consent rates adversely.…”

Death, dying and donation: organ transplantation and the diagnosis of death

“…This experience did not appear to be related to whether families agreed or disagreed with organ donation. 32 Doctors and nurses also have difficulty in coming to terms with the concept of brain death. A study by Youngner et al 33 showed that many believe that brain-dead patients are "irreversibly dying" or have unacceptable quality of life rather than being actually dead.…”

Reward for organ donation: is it effective or not as a promotion strategy?

“…Pearson et al . () provided evidence of a relationship between considering organ donation and intending to donate. Those who are ready to or willing to donate organs are more likely to register.…”