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Factors associated with (un)willingness to be an organ donor: importance of public exposure and knowledge
Author(s) -
Haustein Silke V,
Sellers Marty T
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1046/j.1399-0012.2003.00155.x
Subject(s) - organ donation , medicine , transplantation , economic shortage , attendance , donation , organ transplantation , family medicine , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics) , economics , economic growth
Background: Transplantation is increasingly limited by the supply of donor organs. Identifying subgroups that do not support organ donation will allow targeted efforts to increase organ donation. Methods: A total of 185 non‐acutely ill outpatients visiting a community physician's office voluntarily completed a survey designed to capture views and general knowledge/misconceptions about cadaveric organ donation/transplantation. Results: Of 185 patients, 86 were willing to donate, 42 were unwilling, and 57 were unsure. Willingness to donate was significantly associated with: having discussed the topic with family; having known a cadaveric organ donor; age 55 yr; having graduated high school; recognizing the organ shortage as the primary problem in transplantation; having received a post‐high school degree; having seen public information within 30 d; and having a family member in health care (all p≤0.05). Not significant were: gender; race; religious affiliation or regular church attendance; knowing a transplant recipient or wait‐listed patient; and having easy internet access. Those unwilling/unsure more often thought: organ allocation is based on race/income; organ donation is expensive for the donor family; designated donors may not receive full emergency room care; a brain‐dead person can recover. Conclusions: Intense efforts to improve public awareness and knowledge about organ donation/transplantation are necessary to maximize donation and the overall success of transplantation.