Attitudes and Incentives in Organ Procurement: Report to the Health Care Financing Administration. Part 3. Giving Families: Relatives of Organ Donors

摘要

The study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge about cadaver organ procurement and the willingness of individuals to participate in organ procurement activities. Three groups were surveyed: (1) health professionals, (2) the general public and, (3) relatives of organ donors. The volume presents results of the survey of relatives of organ donors. Organ donor families are very similar to the general public in terms of demographic characteristics and attitudes towards organ donation with altruism being the main reason for considering donation. Donor families also expressed a need to mitigate their own sense of loss. Most of the families found donating helped them to cope at least somewhat better with their grief, and most also reported few procedural problems with the donation process. The timing of the request and problems with financial arrangements were the major complaints of donor families. Like health professionals and the American public, donor families support the current voluntary organ procurement system, but also support required request/routing inquiry legislation.