BACKGROUND: This study examined the attitude of patients’ relatives in South Korea toward organ donation after brain death.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the information on the attitude toward organ donation for relatives of patients who were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) between March 1, 2014 and September 30, 2016. In total, 92 persons participated voluntarily. The investigation included general opinion about organ donation; and additional categorical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: In this study, 75% of participants agreed that they had positive thoughts on organ donation; however, fewer participants (60.9%) showed a positive attitude towards donating their own body, while only a third of participants (38.1%) agreed that they would donate relatives’ body. We could confirm specifically concerns about excessive physical damage during organ recovery (34.7%) and ignorance or disrespect by hospital staff (15.2%), as well as consideration of being sacrificed for the benefit of others (26.0%). The participants who agreed to donate relatives’ body showed significantly different responses in each categories of the questionnaire compared to the participants who disagreed or were undecided.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite positive perceptions concerning organ donation after brain death, there were nonetheless several prejudices and misunderstandings to overcome. The findings of this study can be used to establish evidence-based strategies.

Keywords: Attitude, Family, Tissue and Organ Procurement