Factors associated with (un)willingness to be an organ donor: importance of public exposure and knowledge.
BACKGROUND
Transplantation is increasingly limited by the supply of donor organs. Identifying subgroups that do not support organ donation will allow targeted efforts to increase organ donation.


METHODS
A total of 185 non-acutely ill outpatients visiting a community physician's office voluntarily completed a survey designed to capture views and general knowledge/misconceptions about cadaveric organ donation/transplantation.


RESULTS
Of 185 patients, 86 were willing to donate, 42 were unwilling, and 57 were unsure. Willingness to donate was significantly associated with: having discussed the topic with family; having known a cadaveric organ donor; age 55 yr; having graduated high school; recognizing the organ shortage as the primary problem in transplantation; having received a post-high school degree; having seen public information within 30 d; and having a family member in health care (all p</=0.05). Not significant were: gender; race; religious affiliation or regular church attendance; knowing a transplant recipient or wait-listed patient; and having easy internet access. Those unwilling/unsure more often thought: organ allocation is based on race/income; organ donation is expensive for the donor family; designated donors may not receive full emergency room care; a brain-dead person can recover.


CONCLUSIONS
Intense efforts to improve public awareness and knowledge about organ donation/transplantation are necessary to maximize donation and the overall success of transplantation.
Haustein
Silke V
SV
Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Sellers
Marty T
MT
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement