Area of Science:

• Sociology of Medicine
• Transplantation Science
• Medical Anthropology

Context:

• Organ donation and transplantation are complex medical procedures with significant social and emotional implications.
• Public discourse often overlooks the deeper meanings and social components involved in organ circulation.
• The process impacts grieving families, transplant recipients, and healthcare professionals organizing these operations.

Purpose:

• To explore the social and emotional meanings of organ donation and transplantation.
• To examine the historical trend of promoting organ donation and transplantation since the 1970s.
• To analyze the limitations of a purely biomedical approach to transplantation for patients.
• To investigate the potential for recognizing the relationships created between donors and recipients.

Summary:

• The study investigates the social dimensions of organ donation and transplantation, moving beyond a purely biomedical perspective.
• It examines the historical context of organ donation promotion and the patient experience.
• The research highlights the significance of organ sharing within the mourning process for deceased donors' families and the therapeutic journey of recipients.
• It explores the relational aspects that emerge from organ transplantation.

Impact:

• Provides a deeper understanding of the social and emotional significance of organ donation and transplantation.
• Challenges a narrow biomedical focus in transplantation, advocating for a more holistic patient-centered approach.
• Offers insights into the complex human relationships and meanings generated by organ sharing.
• Contributes to a more nuanced public and professional understanding of the organ donation and transplantation process.