Research on MI in Equipoise: The Case of Living Organ Donation

Residual ambivalence prior to live organ donation has been shown to predict worse physical and psychological outcomes for the donor following surgery. We are studying whether MI can help individuals who have agreed to become living organ donors to resolve residual ambivalence about their decision. In this situation, ethical practice demands that the counselor take up a stance of equipoise, equally welcoming of strengthened resolve to donate or a decision not to do so. This paper describes our adaptations of MI for this unique application.