title: [Attitude to the criteria of death and kidney transplantation of the relatives of kidney donors].
abstract: Fifty near relatives of cadaver kidney donors in the County of Ringkøbing were questioned about how they experienced information concerning the brain death of the donor and the request for permission to remove the kidneys for transplantation. This was undertaken as an interview investigation. In addition, they were questioned as to whether they subsequently experienced doubt about the decision and about their attitude to the criteria for death. It was found that approximately half were aware of the seriousness of the condition before they were told by a doctor but that 35% would have desired more detailed information. Emphasis is placed, in addition, on improved conditions for a dignified parting from the decreased, not information by telephone and that the time for decision making was too short. The reasons for accepting removal of the kidneys were either knowledge of the donor's attitude or consideration of the recipient. Only three donors had drawn up donor testaments. Only one of the relatives regretted the decision while 20% had experienced doubts but the great majority would have liked to discuss the subject with others later. 63% accept the criteria for brain death and 14% the criteria for heart death but only 9% have altered their attitude as a result of the current debate.
authors.affiliation: Holstebro Centralsyehus, anaestesiafdelingen.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brandt
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D001926:Brain Death; D003718:Denmark; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D014019:Tissue Donors
vernacular_title: Holdningen til dødskriterium og nyretransplantation hos nyredonorers pårørende.