Challenges within identification of a potential organ donor

Abstract

Vuonna 2020 Suomessa 408 ihmistä sai uuden mahdollisuuden luovutettujen elimien myötä (HUS 2021). Tämän mahdollistamiseksi tavoitteena on, että terveydenhuollon ammattilaiset ovat avainasemassa positiivisen lopputuloksen saavuttamiseksi. Tiimimme valitsi elinluovutuksen aiheeksi sen yhteiskunnallisen merkityksellisyyden vuoksi ja kirjoittajat pitivät elinluovutusta kiinnostavana ilmiönä.

One organ donor can enable a new opportunity for living for up to six people with different organs. In 2020 in Finland 408 people got that chance with new donated organs (HUS 2021). For this to be possible it aims for healthcare professionals to be in a key position for a positive outcome. Our team selected organ donation as a topic due to its relevance and the writers found organ donation compelling as a phenomenon.

This thesis delves into organ donation theoretical background by explaining the terms and process thoroughly. The purpose was to provide a descriptive literature review of the challenges with the identification of potential organ donors. The audience of this thesis is nurses and nursing students but also other people who are interested in the organ donation process. Who will be benefiting are the patients on the organ transplant list waiting for a suitable organ. Our research question is: what are possible challenges within identifying a potential organ donor?

The data was collected from CINAHL and Andor. We assessed and analysed the found research and used a criteria for the quality of the research. Nine researches were included in this review. Articles which are being addressed in this thesis came up with similar results according to organ donation and its issues. Issues found were lack of professional knowledge, difficulties to get consent, the complexity of the process, and early detection of a potential organ donor. Awareness should be spread about the whole organ donation and transplantation topic worldwide and resources should be invested in health care professional’s education to ensure their professional competence.