Factors Influencing Families' Decision-Making for Organ Donation in Hunan Province, China

A mixed-methods study of emotional support for families of organ donors in Hunan Province, China

Background

Family consent is a prerequisite for the organ donation of the deceased in China. However, a large number of donors are individuals who died due to accidental injuries or unanticipated diseases, which means that most of the families of such donors have just experienced the sudden death of their loved one and have to make a donation decision in a short time. This decision may cause psychological stress and some psychological damage to the minds of relatives of the donors. In addition, cultural sensitivity also has largely caused the relatives of donors inner conflicts and contradictions. And sometimes organ donation may still be stigmatized. However, have they received any emotional support and what is their emotional support needs are some questions that need to be answered. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the emotional support, influencing factors, and needs of the family members of organ donors in Hunan Province, China.

Materials and methods

This is mixed-methods research that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 102 donor families using a questionnaire to investigate their emotional support status. To further understand their emotional support needs, 12 donor families participated in the semi-structured interview.

Results

The results confirmed that: (1) A total of 67.7% of the 102 respondents received emotional support or psychological comfort. Thus, only a small number of respondents (31.4%) felt respected by the public. (2) Emotional support came mainly from immediate family members (73.91%), and official organizations such as the Red Cross (43.48%). (3) Marital status, health status, occupation, and coping style can affect the emotional support of the donor families (p < 0.05). (4) Interview showed that the families of donors need emotional support and psychological aid from psychological professionals mostly. And they also wish to receive the understanding and respect of the public.

Conclusion

Most families of organ donors received emotional support from family, Red Cross, and friends, but only a minority of families of donors reported receiving respect from the public after the donation. And families of donor showed a strong need for emotional support and professional psychological aid from institutions.

Organ Donation Decision in Families With Brain-Dead Patients: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Organ donation decision is a complicated process for bereaved families; however, its attributes and associated factors are not clear. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to analyze the concept of organ donation decision in families with brain-dead patients.

METHODS

Concept analysis was performed using Rodgers' evolutionary method. For this purpose, PubMed, OVID, Scopus, and ProQuest databases were searched in English from 1985 to 2019. In total, 54 articles were analyzed using the thematic analysis to identify the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept. The validity of the data was provided by examining the analysis process by 2 independent researchers.

FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS

Organ donation decision in these families is a complicated and conflicting process of vicarious decision-making that begins with an organ donation request: a difficult, painful, and critical experience that requires extensive interpersonal interactions and is ultimately influenced by various factors, leading to the acceptance or refusal. The antecedents include deceased-related factors, family-related factors, the quality of organ donation request, and the quality of health care professionals' interactions. The consequences include the positive outcomes (grief solace, gift of life, and promoting human values) and negative outcomes (ambiguity, doubt and regret, and psychological inconsistency). The results of this concept analysis led to a better understanding of the complexity of an organ donation decision in these families. In this way, in addition to knowledge development, it assists the health care staff to support families in making the organ donation decision.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Although case managers rarely participate in organ donation, they definitely need to understand the concepts related to organ donation decision while advocating for the patients or families. The results of this concept analysis can broaden the case managers' and other health care professionals' knowledge about families' organ donation decision and help them take more effective interventions for management of this process. Case managers and the health care team can use the information of this article for informing families about brain death, negotiating with families for organ donation, preparing information, and caring and facilitating the families in making the clear and unconflicted decision.

Factors That Influence the Attitude of the Population to Be a Donor in Mexico

BACKGROUND

Transplantation depends on a donation from a living or deceased donor, with the latter ideally involving a multiorgan transplant. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence the attitudes of the population in Mexico toward being a donor.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study with a survey on the attitudes toward donation in the population of Mexico. The survey had 33 items on it regarding sociodemographic aspects and people's positions on the issues of organ and tissue donation. We used central tendency and dispersion averages and calculated the difference between groups using chi squares or the Student t test. We also used the statistical program SPSS version 25.

RESULTS

The perception of respondents regarding organ and tissue donation (with 1064 people or 65.1% in favor) points to a lack of knowledge in Mexico. People do not talk about organ donation with their relatives and especially do not discuss their wishes in case of death (only 660 people indicated they had or 40.4%). There is a better attitude toward donation among younger respondents, women, single people, health personnel, people with higher incomes, Catholics, and those who do not have a hospitalized family member.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to provide more information about organ donation to people in Mexico. The opinion toward donation is generally favorable; however, there are multiple factors that influence opinions. Family members of patients in intensive care are the least willing to donate themselves or donate a relative's organs.