Critical Review of Public Organ Donation Education Programs

The persistent organ shortage shows that many people remain unresponsive to this dilemma. Increasing waiting list mortality notwithstanding social education has remained unchanged. The slogan considering that organ donation “is a gift of life” persists as the primary catchphrase on education campaigns. Fear of death, mutilation, distrust of medical teams and religious uncertainty are possible barriers to donation along with lack of information and education on what organ transplants mean nowadays for society. People’s acknowledgment of slogans such as: “Throughout our lives we are all potential recipients of organs and tissues”; “The body after death is a unique source of health for all” and the catchphrase”; Sharing the donated organs could be a social agreement”, should be considered as expression of promising educational programs. Finally, a curricular programming in donation and transplants in schools and universities will be an important contribution in the search for solution of this critical problem.