Accounting for organ donation decision-making: Analyzing interview discourse of the donors' relatives and intensive care unit physicians in Greece. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Podara, Konstantina; Figgou, Lia; Dikaiou, Maria
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 26:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 905
• Page End: 916
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: decision-making processes -- grounded theory -- organ donation -- representations -- social dilemmas; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105319854147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

The study casts light on the organ donation decision-making process by exploring the experiences of families and physicians involved. Specifically, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 family members of 11 different donors and with 13 intensive care unit physicians. Data collection and analysis draws on the principles of Grounded Theory Methodology. Analysis indicated that in the accounts of both groups, organ donation is represented as a multi-faceted process that includes various social and ideological dilemmas. Overlap and mutual influence was found connecting the experiences of family members and those of physicians, highlighting the need for further education and training for physicians and aftercare for families.