Revisiting the Relationship between Altruism and Organ Donation: Insights from Israel

The effect of altruism on attitude to organ donation in health workers in Türkiye

Organ donation is a very important issue due to its life-saving feature. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of the altruism levels of health workers in a public hospital in Türkiye on their organ donation attitudes. This research is a descriptive cross-sectional survey study. The survey includes questions regarding the sociodemographic information, "Organ Donation Attitude Scale" and the "Altruism Scale." According to the findings, while the "helping" dimension significantly and positively affected the organ donation attitude, the "philanthropy" dimension did not. Organ donation attitude is lower in women, young people, married people, those with lower education levels, health workers other than doctors, and units other than the emergency department. The level of altruism was lower in younger employees, those with lower education levels, doctors and those working in intensive care services. Helping sub-dimension positively affects organ donation attitudes. For policies to increase organ donation, factors that will increase altruism need to be determined.

Altruistic kidney donation following the death of a loved one-a coincidence or a post-traumatic growth?

The aim of this study was to examine the case of altruistic kidney donation (AKD) following loss, in light of PTG theory. Loss may facilitate trauma alongside post-traumatic growth (PTG). Although much is known about the motivation for AKD in general, less is known about the motives of bereaved individuals who chose to altruistically donate their kidney post-loss. Employing a narrative approach, 10 bereaved individuals who altruistically donated a kidney were interviewed about their perceptions of the connection between the loss and their decision to donate a kidney post-loss. Content analysis revealed three types of bereaved AKD's perceived connection between the loss and the donation: explicitly direct, indirect, and implicit. Donation post-loss was characterized by aspects of PTG in three domains: self, other and worldviews. The findings are discussed in light of PTG theory and highlight the possible role of AKD in processes of coping and growth following grief.

Performances of Hope and Despair: A Case Study of Organ Donation Between a Palestinian and Israeli Jew Amidst War

We explore the phenomenon of organ donation between rivals in time of war when a significant gift such as organ donation is given not just to a "stranger" but to a stranger who may be considered an enemy. This is a case study of a unique organ donation event that occurred in Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. It involved a Palestinian boy killed by a Jewish policeman and a Jewish man killed by Palestinian youths. Both victims, lacking organ donor cards, had their organs donated by their families with the awareness that recipients could come from the "opposing" group. We ask: (1) How do families from rival groups construct meaning in their decision to donate organs? (2) How do they construct meaning in their experience of loss? The findings reveal that bereaved families imbue their actions with political and religious significance, framing the organ donations as a "universal gift" guided by religious commandments to save lives. While these acts initially transcend cultural and national boundaries, a lack of recognition and gratitude afterward can lead to disillusionment, reinforcing "us" versus "them" boundaries. This study underscores the intricate dynamics in organ donations during political conflict and the pivotal role of religious authorities in shaping perceptions and meaning. Moreover, it highlights the potential for organ donations to foster reconciliation and coexistence amidst conflict, provided mutual recognition in cases where compassion and understanding of loss are prioritized.

Organ Donation: Behaviour and Beliefs in Sweden

Introduction

Barely one-fifth of people in Sweden have expressed their will regarding organ donation in the national Swedish Donor Registry, and the number of organ donations in Sweden remains low.

Objective

The aim of this study was to map behaviour and beliefs regarding organ donation in Sweden.

Methods

In a descriptive cross-sectional survey following a quantitative approach and 600 questionnaires were issued to randomly selected individuals across Sweden. Of them, 206 (36.3%) were completed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. Analytical statistical testing involved Pearson chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results

The results indicate a discrepancy between positive opinion about organ donation in Sweden and the number of people enrolled in the Swedish Donation Registry. The most common argument for not wanting to donate organs was the notion of being too old to. Although self-rated knowledge about organ donation was admittedly low, so was interest in interest in learning more about it. Younger patients more frequently wanted information than older patients did.

Conclusion

Not wanting to donate organs due to age and/or illness may indicate a misconception. Making one's will known does not involve assessing one's health status or age but solely concerns the wish to do so. The findings thus raise an important question: How can people's interest in learning more about organ donation be induced in ethical ways?

"I Believe More in the Ability of the Small Person to Make Big Changes": Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship to Promote Public Health in Israel

Social entrepreneurship has grown worldwide in recent decades as it attempts to create and implement innovative solutions to social and environmental issues through business strategies. The aim of this study was to explore what motivates public health social entrepreneurs to act, the challenges and barriers they face, achievements, and competencies required for success. As such, we interviewed 15 social entrepreneurs in Israel. Budget issues, regulatory barriers, and struggles against powerful companies were the frequent barriers to success. The interviewees indicated several achievements at the health policy level by positioning and becoming an authority in the field, positively influencing other people's lives. They highlighted the importance of creativity, determination and courage, leadership, and the ability to persevere in the face of overwhelming adverse odds as essential for the social entrepreneur's success. Social entrepreneurship in public health is essential when struggling with health disparities. Nevertheless, recognizing that social entrepreneurship is not a substitute for methodological government planning and accountability is crucial.

Beliefs and Intention to Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

Despite concerted and directed efforts to increase organ donation, the gap between the need for organs for transplantation and the lack of donors has been increasing globally. Studies have shown that donor rates in countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, are particularly low despite a relatively advanced healthcare system and supportive government policies. There are multiple psychosocial, cultural, religious, and structural factors, that influence the increase in the organ donation rate, and some of them may be unique to a country such as Saudi Arabia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is an important theory utilised to study how various types of attitudes, beliefs, and norms, influence organ donation intention and practice. In this study, we aimed to explore the normative, behavioural, and control beliefs, among residents of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

The current study was a cross-sectional online survey performed from 6 June 2021 to 31 December 2021, using a questionnaire prepared in GoogleTM form among the residents of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire asked demographic factors and questions to explore the normative, behavioural, and control beliefs, regarding organ donation.

RESULTS

This study received 1245 valid responses. Among the study participants, only 19.6% were willing to register as an Organ/Tissue donors. The intention for organ donation showed a statistically significant positive association with beliefs that organ donation is a good thing (123.51, df 4, p < 0.001), could save somebody's life (81.38, df 4, p < 0.001), could have a positive impact on life after death (114, df 4, p < 0.001), and provision of better social support to family (of the deceased) can increase organ donation (68.43, df 4, p < 0.001). Those who expressed normative beliefs that their intention to donate organs strongly depend upon their family's lack of objection to allowing the donation of organs at the time of death (190.76, df 4, p < 0.001), their knowledge about the organ transplantation process (179.35, df 4, p < 0.001), their knowledge about the viewpoint of their religion regarding organ donation (120.345, df 4, p < 0.001), and their knowledge about the registration facilities (241.64, df 4, p < 0.001), were more willing for donating their organs. Perception of worry about the likelihood of getting lesser care from doctors in an emergency if registered as an organ donor (OR = 4.25, 95% CI 1.57-11.51), beliefs that provision of better social support to family (of the deceased) can increase organ donation (OR = 10.49, 95% CI 1.56-70.43), and concern for the emotions of their family members while organ are being taken (OR = 4.37, CI 1.57-12.23), were the strongest predictors influencing a definite intention for organ donation.

CONCLUSION

This study found that most of the components under normative and behavioural beliefs showed positive correlation with a definite intention for organ donation, whereas most of the components under control beliefs showed negative correlation with a definite intention for organ donation, among Saudi population. Based on the study results, there is a need to promote awareness regarding the organ donation process, especially the religious permissibility of organ donation, among general public in order to promote organ donation.