What are effective approaches to increasing rates of organ donor registration among ethnic minority populations: a systematic review

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify effective interventions to increase organ donor registration and improve knowledge about organ donation among ethnic minorities in North America and the UK.DesignSystematic review.Data SourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Central searched up to November 2012, together with four trials databases and the grey literature.Review methodsA systematic search followed by assessment of eligibility and quality. An interpretive and thematic approach to synthesis was undertaken. This examined the nature and delivery of interventions in relation to a range of outcomes: verified registration, changing knowledge and a measured shift towards greater readiness.Results18 studies were included in the review, comprising educational and mass media interventions. Mass media interventions alone reported no significant change in the intention or willingness to register. Educational interventions either alone or combined with mass media approaches were more effective in increasing registration rates, with a strong interpersonal component and an immediate opportunity to register identified as important characteristics in successful change.ConclusionsEffective interventions need to be matched to the populations’ stage of readiness to register. Measured outcomes should include registration and shifts along the pathway towards this behavioural outcome.

Comparing web‐based video interventions to enhance university student willingness to donate organs: A randomized controlled trial

“…A comparison of six one‐minute videos (four with personal narratives, one with donation information but without personal narrative, and one unrelated to organ donation) found no significant difference among the videos in the number of attempts by participants to learn more about donation or to register to donate organs . However, a systematic review of different interventions that were successful in increasing consent for organ donation identified a “strong interpersonal component” as an important characteristic of successful change . To our knowledge, there has not been a study demonstrating the effectiveness of one organ donation video type over another in increasing willingness to consent for donation.…”

Effects of structured education program on organ donor designation of nursing students and their families: A randomized controlled trial

“…Second, although both organ donor designation and family approval for the decision to remove organs are needed in Japan, the primary outcome in our study was simply organ donor designation. However, the primary endpoint of many previous studies was organ donor registration or designation, as is the case with our study and 3 weeks seemed to be too short for students to obtain family approval. Third, contamination occurred in about half of the students in both groups.…”

“…Two systematic reviews have shown that education on organ donation and transplantation effectively influenced participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior . However, little is known about the effect of education programs on changing attitudes and behaviors of participants and their families toward deceased organ donation.…”

“…Two systematic reviews have shown that education on organ donation and transplantation effectively influenced participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. 12,13 However, little is known about the effect of education programs on changing attitudes and behaviors of participants and their families toward deceased organ donation. The aim of the present study was to assess whether an educational program designed for nursing students was effective in changing the attitudes toward deceased organ donation and promoting family discussion and organ donor designation in both nursing students and their families, compared with information booklets.…”

Strategies To Facilitate Organ Donation among African Americans

“…Over the last three decades, colleagues have studied ways to influence and effectively alter the modifiable barriers associated with organ donation among ethnic minority groups and African Americans in particular (9). Studies indicate that African Americans tend to be less knowledgeable about donation and/or transplantation than other racial/ethnic groups (10).…”