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African American consent and nonconsent cases: are there significant differences?
Diane Dodd-McCue1, Alexander Tartaglia
1Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Progress in Transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)
|October 20, 2007
Summary
African American families who consent to organ donation are more likely to have discussed donor wishes and involved parents in decisions. Non-consent cases often lacked knowledge of donor wishes and involved spouses more frequently.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Organ donation consent rates vary across racial/ethnic groups.
- Limited research exists on differences within African American families regarding consent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify significant differences between African American families who consent to organ donation and those who do not.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 120 African American potential donor cases (1997-2004).
- Examined next-of-kin relationships, family interactions, knowledge of donor wishes, discussion initiation, and satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Consent cases showed significantly higher rates of knowing donor wishes (19% vs. 0%) and parental involvement (68% vs. 36%).
- Non-consent cases more frequently involved spouses (29% vs. 6%).
- Knowledge of wishes, parental, and spousal involvement were statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge of donor wishes and key decision-makers differ significantly between consent and non-consent African American families.
- Programs promoting family discussions about organ donation are crucial for increasing consent rates.
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