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The non‐directed living kidney donor: Why donate to strangers?
Author(s) -
Balliet Wendy,
Kazley Abby S.,
Johnson Emily,
HollandCarter Lauren,
Maurer Stacey,
Correll Jennifer,
Marlow Nicole,
Chavin Kenneth,
Baliga Prabhakar
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of renal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1755-6678
DOI - 10.1111/jorc.12267
Subject(s) - donation , medicine , economic shortage , kidney donation , organ donation , kidney transplantation , qualitative research , altruism (biology) , family medicine , transplantation , social psychology , psychology , surgery , social science , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics) , sociology , economics , economic growth
SUMMARY Background Kidney transplantation improves survival and quality of life for patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, there is a shortage of donated organs, resulting in long wait times and the potential for death before a donor is found. Non‐directed (also called altruistic) living kidney donation is a growing type of donation; however, few studies have examined the values and motivation of individuals evaluated to be a non‐directed donor. Objectives This qualitative study explores the motivations and values of individuals evaluated for non‐directed donation. Design Focus groups were conducted with individuals who had been evaluated for non‐directed living kidney donation. Grounded theory method guided the data analysis. Participants Participants (N = 11) were individuals who completed the evaluation for a non‐directed living kidney donation. Findings Qualitative analyses revealed eight major themes participants considered in making their decision to donate to a non‐related person: (i) motivation to donate; (ii) minimise perceived risk; (iii) ideal selected recipient; (iv) change in lifestyle; (v) source of donation knowledge; (vi) history of altruistic acts; (vii) donation chain and (viii) others’ response. Conclusions Results suggest that non‐directed living kidney donors think deeply about their decision and have a resolve to help others that is aligned with their values. As organ availability remains at a critical shortage, unwillingness to consider non‐directed living donors (NDD) due to beliefs of ill motivations appears unsupported. Future directions call for the need of standard practice of care in kidney donation evaluations across transplant centers.