Family Perception and Communication in Organ Donation from Cadaver

Abstract

Organ transplantation, which is an alternative method of organ failure treatment, provides opportunities for most people by keeping them alive while positively affecting their professional development, social relations, emotional and physical activities and significantly increasing the quality of life. However, despite the rapidly increasing number of patients in organ waiting lists, the increase in the number of donors is not adequate and this has become the biggest obstacle to the implementation of this process. According to 2013 data, the number of registered patients in organ waiting lists of EU countries is 86,000. Increasing donations from cadavers is the greatest hope of many patients waiting for organs. Cadaver donations are difficult decisions because they must be made in a short time after the family has lost a loved one. A coordinator therefore has to guide this process while being aware of the emotional and mental conflict of the family and supporting the family by establishing a conscious communication throughout the process, in order to positively influence the final decision and ensure the survival of more people.