Report Title

Attitudes Toward a Presumed Consent Organ Donation System

Collective Title

Master of Physician Assistant Research Reports 2005

Abstract

Purpose: Obtaining consent for post-mortem organ donation is a complicated process, and the current system for obtaining consent has not been very effective in procuring sufficient transplantable organs for the current demand. A streamlined method of organ procurement, such as presumed consent, is needed to simplify this process and increase the number of available organs for donation. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the public's attitudes toward a presumed consent system of organ donation. Methods: A convenience sample of275 adults, aged 18 years or older, was recruited from public establishments in California. Subjects were required to understand, speak, read, and write English fluently. Data was obtained using a survey that consisted of statements regarding various aspects of presumed consent, in particular, and organ donation, in general, using a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 =Strongly Agree and 5=Strongly Disagree. The survey also included questions about the subject's age, income level, gender, educational background, race/ethnicity, and religious and political affiliation. Results: We found significant differences regarding the opinions toward presumed consent and organ donation based on race, gender, religious affiliation, and political affiliation (p<.05). Blacks/ African Americans were most likely to be against presumed consent (X2=17.4, p=.002) and organ donation (x_2=47.4, p<.001) after death as compared to other races. Income level was also a contributing factor, though its effect on opinion was not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings can help increase public awareness of the issues of presumed consent and organ donation, and indicate the need for public education on the subject of organ donation.

LLU Discipline

Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Daher, Noha

Second Advisor

Bourne, Kenrick C.

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2005

Date (Title Page)

2005

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Tissue and Organ Procurement; Program Evaluation; Presumed Consent; Transplantation; Tissue Donors; Donation of organs, tissues, etc.

Keywords

Organ Donation System; Post-mortem organ donation;

Type

Research Report

Page Count

10 pg.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Collection Website

scholarsrepository.llu.edu/rr/

Repository

Loma Linda University. University Libraries.

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