A Canberra researcher is working on a project trying to understand the factors that influence grieving families that refuse to donate their loved one’s organs in the aftermath of unexpected death. Around half of such families currently say no.
The researcher believes some families don’t have their emotional and information needs met when making a decision about organ donation, and is looking for seven families who have declined organ donation in the last three years to conduct a confidential interview.
National statistics indicate 40% to 50% of Australian families faced with the death of a relative and a request to donate will decline donation of their relatives’ organs. In other countries with similar demographics to Australia, the number of families that agree to donation is higher. In Spain and parts of the United States consent rates are as high as 85 per cent.
Please email Holly.Northam@canberra.edu.au for more information.
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