Attitude toward living donor liver transplantation in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and characteristics of donors for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

This retrospective study was performed by a mailing or by telephone using a questionnaire. LDLT donors were recruited from a teaching hospitals located in a metropolitan area of northern Taiwan. The 11-item attitude questionnaire was specifically developed from the literature review with coordinator, physician, and donor feedback. Donors were asked to rate the queries on a 5-point Likert intensity scale.

The 47 LDLT donors included 28 (60%) women and 19 (40%) men. Most of the LDLT donors were aged less than 30 years old (n = 24, 51%) with (n = 12, 26%) between 31 and 40 years, and 11 (23%) more than 41 years. Self-perceived health status was poor (n = 4, 9%), not bad (n = 22, 47%), good (n = 19, 40%), or very good (n = 2, 4%). The top five LDLT donor attitudes were recognition of liver donation (n = 42, 89%), recognition of brain donation (n = 41, 88%), a hero (n = 35, 75%), honor to be a donor (n = 35, 5%), and improved relationship with recipient after donation (n = 33, 70%). The best person to suggest organ donation to a family was ranked as the doctors related to transplantation (n = 41, 88%), transplantation nurse coordinator (n = 40, 85%), social worker (n = 23, 49%), and doctor unrelated to transplantation (n = 17, 17%).

This study revealed positive attitudes toward donation. Some data afford insight to the decision-making procedure. Donor concerns may help professionals provide better interventions in the future.