Behavioral economics-A framework for donor organ decision-making in pediatric heart transplantation

Area of Science:

• Transplant Surgery
• Behavioral Economics
• Decision Psychology

Background:

• Pediatric donor heart discard rates are high, impacting children awaiting transplantation.
• Existing literature cites regulatory, guideline, and programmatic factors for disparities.
• Behavioral factors influencing transplant team decisions remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review literature at the intersection of behavioral economics, decision psychology, and pediatric heart transplantation.
• To explore how behavioral influences may contribute to pediatric donor heart discard rates.
• To identify potential biases in donor offer decisions within the transplant environment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focused on pediatric heart transplant, behavioral economics, and decision psychology.
• Application of behavioral economics and decision psychology paradigms to analyze transplant decision-making.
• Examination of how transplant environment factors may precipitate biases.

Main Results:

• Behavioral economics and decision psychology offer frameworks to understand transplant professional decision-making.
• Transplant environment aspects like regulation and allocation systems may introduce biases.
• Human decision behavior significantly influences donor acceptance and utilization.

Conclusions:

• Understanding behavioral influences is crucial for improving pediatric donor heart utilization.
• Addressing potential biases in decision-making can enhance the use of viable donor hearts.
• Further research into behavioral factors can optimize pediatric heart transplant outcomes.