bulletin UK Transplant - Organ Donation

FEATURESHow do we getmore to register?Continued from page 11Students gave these suggestions for messages to encourage registrationKEY TRIGGERSTO ACTIVATEREGISTRATIONParticipants identified the followingtriggers:• more information about the registerand organ donation (46% raised this)• if someone they knew needed atransplant (7%)• more reassurance that medicalprofessionals can be trusted ie theywill try to save you even if you are aregistered donor and will treat yourbody with respect at all times (2%)• some form of payment/reward (2%)• make it easier to register with tickboxes on other forms• while shopping, eg street canvassers inshopping centres, supermarkets (28%)• register over the phone, through blooddonor centres or face-to-face with GP• TV advertising• advertising/visiting in schools• relevant and real case studies ofpeople who have helped or who havedied, particularly children.NHS ORGAN DONOR REGISTERKey findings about the registerwere:• 92% of those who supportedorgan donation were in favour ofthe register• 53% said they woulddefinitely/probably register in thenext six months (however, thisawareness was raised by thesurvey and so is notrepresentative of the population)• women and people aged 25-59were more likely to say theywould join• average length of time on theregister was 3 1 ⁄2 years• there was strong disagreementthat next of kin’s consent wasneeded. 61% agreed with thestatement that “if there is nodoubt that someone wants todonate their organs, it should notbe necessary to get permissionfrom the next of kin”• only 14% of people said theyhad seen any information aboutregistering. Awareness ofinformation about the registerwas highest in the north westand north east and lowest in thesouth east and south west• just over one in five (22%) ofpeople over 60 said they couldn’tregister as they were too old.Reasons given for joining theregister:• “You can be sure that peopleknow your wishes, as you mightnot always have your card withyou”• “Don’t have to carry a cardaround”• “It makes it easier for my familyto deal with the dilemmabecause they know it’s what Iwant for sure”• “It takes the responsibility awayfrom your family” (this is a keymisunderstanding).Reasons given against joining theregister:• Don’t know about it (38%)• Personal/religious reasons (20%)• “What’s the point if you have adonor card?” (15%)• Fear of commitment – card canbe thrown away• Mistrust of medical professionals.Only 9% of people interviewedthought they were on the register.This suggests people had ticked abox and forgotten they’d registered.12Bulletin Summer 2003