Social media and organ donation: Ethically navigating the next frontier. Issue 11 (24th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henderson, M. L.; Clayville, K. A.; Fisher, J. S.; Kuntz, K. K.; Mysel, H.; Purnell, T. S.; Schaffer, R. L.; Sherman, L. A.; Willock, E. P.; Gordon, E. J.
• Is Part Of: American journal of transplantation. Volume 17:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 2803
• Page End: 2809
• Publication Date: 2017-08-24
• Subjects: donors and donation: living -- ethics and public policy -- internet -- organ transplantation -- social media; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-6135

Abstract

Abstract : As the organ shortage continues to grow, the creation of social media communities by transplant hospitals and the public is rapidly expanding to increase the number of living donors. Social media communities are arranged in myriad ways and without standardization, raising concerns about transplant candidates' and potential donors' autonomy and quality of care. Social media communities magnify and modify extant ethical issues in deceased and living donation related to privacy, confidentiality, professionalism, and informed consent, and increase the potential for undue influence and coercion for potential donors and transplant candidates. Currently, no national ethical guidelines have been developed in the United States regarding the use of social media to foster organ transplantation. We provide an ethical framework to guide transplant stakeholders in using social media for public and patient communication about transplantation and living donation, and offer recommendations for transplant clinical practice and future research. Abstract : In an effort to guide transplant stakeholders in using social media for public and patient communication about transplantation and living donation, this article provides an ethical framework and offers recommendations for transplant clinical practice and future research.