Challenges and Motivators to Organ Donation: A Qualitative Exploratory Study in Gujarat, India

Despite the global efforts to improve organ donation, there is a demand-supply gap for organs in India. The only solution to meet this disparity is to improve deceased donor transplants in the country through victims of road accidents. The government has instituted several initiatives to achieve this goal. However, challenges and barriers continue to affect the organ donation process. The present study aims to document the motivating factors and obstacles in the decision of families to donate organs in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and their suggestions to improve the processes involved in organ donation.

A qualitative exploratory study (in-depth interview) of ten relatives of deceased organ donors was conducted from Oct 2021 to Feb 2022. Interviews were audio recorded, and detailed notes were taken during the interview. Thematic analysis was done using ATLAS.ti version 8 software.

The significant motivators identified were family members' belief or conviction that it would help save the lives of others; a sense of moral obligation to do so as bodies of brain-dead persons can contribute to this noble goal, no use of the body after death, an extension of life, and being a role model for others. The challenges were mistrusting the organ donation process, fear of being responsible for any mishappening, and feeling of shock. The suggestions to improve organ donation included awareness creation, simplifying the legal process for accidental deaths, providing benefits to the donor family, and a system for identifying potential donors and their counselling.

The present study reflects the need for a more comprehensive awareness campaign to generate awareness and remove the misconception about organ donation in India. The findings of the study can be helpful for policymakers to amend the current organ donation process in India and improve the disequilibrium of demand and supply of deceased donations in India.