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Mandated choice. The preferred solution to the organ shortage?
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Mandated choice for organ donation garners strong support (90%) among educated young adults, unlike presumed consent (60%). This highlights a need for prospective organ donation discussions and trials of mandated choice to increase organ supply.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Science
- Public Health Policy
- Bioethics
Background:
- Organ transplantation faces a critical shortage, hindering patient care.
- Presumed consent and mandated choice are proposed policy solutions.
- Current organ donation systems struggle with low donor rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess support for presumed consent and mandated choice among educated young adults.
- To identify barriers to organ donation among university students.
- To inform policy decisions regarding organ procurement strategies.
Main Methods:
- Two surveys were conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park.
- A total of 418 students aged 18 and above participated.
- Participants' views on organ donation policies were recorded.
Main Results:
- 90% of students supported mandated choice, while 60% supported presumed consent.
- Most students believed families should not override deceased individuals' donation wishes.
- Few students had discussed organ donation with families or signed donor cards.
Conclusions:
- Young, educated individuals often do not proactively consider organ donation.
- Mandated choice appears more favorable than presumed consent for increasing organ supply.
- A trial of mandated choice is recommended to improve organ retrieval efficiency.
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