Donor and nondonor families' accounts of communication and relations with healthcare professionals

Abstract

The cadaveric organ procurement scheme in the United Kingdom is based on a voluntary, opt-in system. However, regardless of whether and how individuals make their wishes known about organ donation before death, health professionals are required to seek the families' "lack of objection" before organ removal. Relationships between families and healthcare professionals have been identified as important regarding patients who receive mechanical ventilation, familial understanding of brain stem death, organ donation requests, and postoperative care. This qualitative study was conducted over a 2-year period in Scotland. Semistructured interviews with donor (n=19) and nondonor families (n=4) explored their accounts of communication and interaction with healthcare professionals. The data suggest strategies that can support relatives, including early direct and tacit communication regarding recovery prospects, provision of clear and timely information about brain death, assurances regarding respectful treatment of the decedent's body, wearing nonsurgical attire, and follow-up care, if needed.