title: Biases among hospital personnel concerning donation of specific organs and tissues: implications for the donation discussion and education.
abstract: Previous research has established that healthcare professionals who are being trained to talk with families about donation have strong personal preferences for and aversions to the donation of specific organs and tissues. This article examines the possible reasons for such preferences and/or aversions. Among the population studied, strong personal preferences for donation of specific anatomical gifts predominantly were associated with pragmatic and moral or ethical justifications. Strong aversions were associated with pragmatic reasoning and mystical thinking, represented as ancient fears. The findings suggest the need for changes in the way the donation option is offered to families and the way hospital personnel are educated.
authors.affiliation: InnoVision Communications, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. ivcReprint@aol.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verble
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Worth
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003469:Culture; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors