How Families of Organ Donors Deal with Grief

A study published in the February 2008 issue of Clinical Transplantation examines the effect of the organ donation process on families dealing with grief. Using the British Columbia Transplant Society (BCTS) database, the authors mailed test packages to families of deceased organ donors. Each package contained three standardized, validated questionnaires (including scales of depression, post-traumatic stress, and bereavement). Seventy-three completed packages were received (an overall response rate of 46%) and the responses were analyzed. The results of the study showed that grief varied in terms of age of the deceased and length of time since donation. Donor families reporting negative aspects about the donation process were also more likely to experience post-traumatic stress. Based on their findings, the authors concluded that organ donation can have a beneficial effect on the grief process providing that donor families receive proper counseling and support before and after donation.

Click here for the abstract.

Comments

[Alison]

Am I missing something or wouldn't they need to use a comparison/control group of families who lost a loved one to death and weren't able to or chose not to donate organs for this to tell us anything about organ donation's affect on families?

[Romeo Vitelli]

I'm inclined to agree altough there seems to be few research studies in the area.

[Anna]

nice post