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Survey of public attitudes towards imminent death donation in the United States
Author(s) -
Washburn Laura,
Galván Nhu Thao Nguyen,
Moolchandani Priyanka,
Price Matthew B.,
Rath Smruti,
Ackah Ruth,
Myers Kevin A.,
Wood R. P.,
Parsons Sandra,
Brown Ryan P.,
Ranova Elitza,
Goss Matthew,
Rana Abbas,
Goss John A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/ajt.16175
Subject(s) - organ donation , medicine , donation , likert scale , united network for organ sharing , family medicine , public opinion , public support , transplantation , surgery , public relations , psychology , law , developmental psychology , politics , liver transplantation , political science
Imminent death donation (IDD) is described as living organ donation prior to a planned withdrawal of life‐sustaining care in an imminently dying patient. Although IDD was ethically justified by United Network for Organ Sharing, the concept remains controversial due to presumed lack of public support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the public's attitudes towards IDD. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted of US adults age >18 years (n = 2644). The survey included a case scenario of a patient with a devastating brain injury. Responses were assessed on a 5‐point Likert scale. Results showed that 68% ‐ 74% of participants agreed or strongly agreed with IDD when posed as a general question and in relation to the case scenario. Participants were concerned about “recovery after a devastating brain injury” (34%), and that “doctors would not try as hard to save a patient's life” (33%). Only 9% of participants would be less likely to trust the organ donation process. In conclusion, our study demonstrates strong public support for IDD in the case of a patient with a devastating brain injury. Notably, participants were not largely concerned with losing trust in the organ donation process. These results justify policy change towards imminent death donation.