Transplantation, multi-organ donation & presumed consent: a 3 year survey of university students

We profile the practises and attitudes of university students in Ireland towards consent for organ donation. 1103 students were surveyed. Only 34.6% (382/1103) carried organ donor consent cards, although the majority were favourably disposed towards donation. Only 9% (96/1103) were against donation. In regard to presumed consent only 38% (177/470) were in favour of changing the current "opt-in" consent methodology to presumed consent. These findings show a favourable opinion towards donation among Irish university students. However this may result in few actual donations in the event of brain death, as the majority do not carry donor cards and do not want to change to a presumed consent regime. The most common answer for not carrying a card was that the individual had not formalised a decision. Mandated choice at a fixed point could significantly reduce this ambivalence.