Organ donation behaviour: understanding the factors stimulating the decision to register as a potential organ donor in Malaysia

Abstract

Organ donation in the Malaysian context has started to become an accepted medical treatment to save lives. Currently, Malaysia has approximately one donor for every one million population (Hooi and Mansor, 2014). However, the figure is meaningless as supply of the needed organs remains insufficient and organ transplantation procedures cannot take place. A reported key factor in low donation rates in Malaysia is that family rejection when they are not aware of the deceased’s preferences regarding organ donation (Tumin et al., 2013a). Thus, Malaysia has developed registers in order to provide a platform for potential donors to record their donation intention. The aim of this thesis was to understand individual lived experiences in deciding to register as an organ donor in Malaysia. Using descriptive phenomenological approach, this study recruited 19 participants; 16 registered potential organ donor participants and 3 non-registered participants but they have had intention to donate organ. Single face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out with all 19
participants with resulting transcripts undergoing data analysis based on Giorgi’s 5-steps framework.

Nine categories were generated underlying four psychological concepts underpinning participant decision making related to registration or non-registration as a potential organ donor in Malaysia.
The four psychological concepts are; belief and attitude, feelings and emotions, cognitive readiness, and external influences.

The study offers insight into the experience of making the decision to register as an organ donor from the Malaysian perspective. The implications of this study have been considered in terms of public engagement campaigns, practice, and future research.

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ORCID for Tracy Long-Sutehall: orcid.org/0000-0002-6661-9215

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