Long-term psychosocial outcomes after nondirected donation: A single-center experience

Abstract

Short‐term studies have demonstrated that nondirected donors (NDDs) have psychosocial outcomes that are similar to donors who donate directly, but long‐term studies have not been done. NDDs at our center were surveyed regarding motivation; support during donation; stress related to donation; regret; financial resources used for donation; preferences about communication with the recipient; and cost reimbursement. Of 100 NDDs who donated at our center in the last 20 years, 95 remain in contact with us, and 77 responded to our survey (mean ± standard deviation [SD] 6.7 ± 4 years postdonation). The most common motivation for donation was the desire to help another (99%). Many NDDs received support from family, friends, and employers. NDDs voiced stress about the possibility of recipient kidney rejection, physical consequences to themselves, and financial burden. Only one donor expressed regret. Almost half wanted some recipient information at donation; 61% preferred routine recipient status updates; 56% believed meeting the recipient should occur at any mutually agreeable time; and 55% endorsed reimbursement for expenses. Stressors for NDDs are analogous to those of directed donors; NDDs prefer having some information about the recipient and prefer to be given a choice regarding the timing for communication with the recipient. NDDs supported donation being financially neutral.

Exploring the motives of Israeli Jews who were living kidney donors to strangers

“…This was also noted in other surveys conducted in the United Kingdom and USA 16,17 . Other international studies also report that the main motivation for donation was to help others 18,19,31 . Self‐esteem is high among these Jewish donors and was rarely enhanced by kidney donation.…”

Factors Associated with the Willingness to Become a Living Kidney Donor: A National Cross-Sectional Study

“…For people surveyed in Israel by Kurleto et al [34], the motive for donating a kidney to a stranger was a strong willingness to help, and the will to do good. Helping another person was considered the most important value by over 75% of the donors [34] Willingness to help others was also an important reason for donating a kidney for UK, Swedish and US citizens [10,35,43].…”

Care of international living kidney donor candidates in the United States: A survey of contemporary experience, practice, and challenges

“…program, as has been effective in building non-directed donor programs. 37,38 While ILKD care may be a specialty area in which not all transplant programs will actively engage, those caring for many immigrant transplant candidates will likely encounter more inquiries.…”

“…The resource investment required to conduct ILKD evaluations is not surprising, but the reports that such evaluations commonly take 1.5‐to‐3 or >3‐times the staff time as domestic candidate evaluations is an important finding of this survey. Efficiency can be supported by developing programmatic guidelines and staff training, often coordinated through use of a designated point person at the program, as has been effective in building non‐directed donor programs 37,38 . While ILKD care may be a specialty area in which not all transplant programs will actively engage, those caring for many immigrant transplant candidates will likely encounter more inquiries.…”