People's attitudes and reactions to organ donation

This article is based on the author's previous studies on people's reactions to organ donation, including both questionnaire surveys and qualitative interviews. A model was developed where six anti-donation factors and two pro-donation factors influence the attitude toward organ donation. This model can be applied also to other procedures with the dead body such as autopsy, anatomical dissection, and burial. Two-thirds of the adult population recognise some discomfort concerning organ donation though they are positive to transplantation per se and want to obtain a transplant themselves if in need. The most common discomfort is “Illusion of lingering life,” which means that it is difficult to imagine a difference between the living and the dead body and that procedures with a corpse are perceived as conducted on a living body. However, for the majority, the discomfort is an initial reaction that dissolves when put against altruistic and fact-stressing arguments. Teenagers are less willing to donate organs and feel more discomfort than adults, especially concerning trespassing the borders of identity by becoming a part of another individual through a donated organ. The findings of these studies can help medical staff to approach relatives of a potential donor in an empathic way and also have implications for donation campaigns.