Factors Influencing Family’s Organ Donation Decision

Abstract

Background: The main factor limiting the increase in brain dead organ donors is low consent rates for organ donation. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of donor records of Korea Organ Donation Agency from 2013 to 2015. Factors related before providing information about organ donation and process of explaining organ donation were analyzed. Results: Donor gender, marital status, religious affiliation, residence area, knowledge of patients’ wishes, understanding of brain death status, and the referring system, providing initial information about donation and initial medical staff providing information about donation had a significant influence on decision to donate. Organ donation greatly increased when the donor family knew the patient’s intent to donate. As the degree of family understanding of brain death status and the referring system increased, organ donation rate significantly increased. Conclusions: Providing sufficient information about brain death during the period of delivering medical services as well as activating campaign and public education are essential to improving the positive attitude toward organ donation.