Kind strangers: the families of organ donors

• Published in: Health Affairs 1987, Vol.6 (2), p.35-47
• Main Authors: Batten, H L, Prottas, J M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Altruism; Attitude; Attitude to Death; Attitudes; Behavior; Bioethics; Blood & organ donations; Component parts; Death & dying; Donation of organs, tissues, etc; Donations; Family; Gifts; Health care delivery; Humans; Kidney disease; Kidneys; Medicaid; Medicare; Motivation; Polls & surveys; Psychological aspects; Quality of life; Society; Surgery; Tissue and Organ Procurement - methods; Tissue Donors; Transplants & implants; United States
• ISSN: 0278-2715; 1544-5208
• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.6.2.35

During January-May 1985, a mail survey was conducted of families who had given permission for their relatives' kidneys to be donated. The characteristics and opinions of the 264 responding donor families were compared to respondents of a national random sample telephone survey of 750 members of the public. The findings indicate that the family frequently benefits psychologically by organ donation -- in their own estimation. In their evaluation of the donation process, family members specifically named 2 aspects of organ donation to which organ procurement staff need to be particularly sensitive: apppropriate timing of the request and smooth financial administration. Nevertheless, giving organs to strangers was positively evaluated by almost 90% of the families. The families that sought to redeem something from the tragedy were the respondents who reported the organ donation had made coping with their loss somewhat easier.