Qualitative Analysis of Factors That Hinder Intensive Care Unit Nurses in Western China From Encouraging Patients to Donate Organs

Abstract

BackgroundOrgan transplantation is an important method to save the lives of patients suffering from organ failure. However, the low rate of organ donation is a common problem worldwide. Many potential organ donors in the intensive care unit (ICU) are not properly identified, which is one reason for the low donation rate. ICU nurses play a key role in organ donation but may be uncertain regarding some issues. In this study, an analysis of the reasons why ICU nurses in western China are reluctant to encourage patients and their families to donate organs is performed, providing a reference for promoting ICU nurse participation in organ donation work. MethodsFrom August to November of 2017, using a purposive sampling method, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews using a phenomenological research method with 18 ICU nurses who were working in 4 large hospitals with organ transplant accreditation in Chongqing City, China, and analyzed the data with phenomenology. ResultsReasons for the reluctance of ICU nurses in encouraging patients to donate organs were categorized into the following 4 themes: limitation of the nurses' professional role, influence of the family’s negative emotions, lack of training regarding organ donation in medical institutions, and impact of a conservative social attitude. ConclusionChinese medical and health institutions need to attach importance to the duties and roles of ICU nurses in organ donation work, the creation of a good death culture, the implementation of training for organ donation specialist nurses, and the strengthening of advocacy efforts for organ donation so that ICU nurses’ reluctance in engaging in organ donation coordination in China can be mitigated and the nurses can better participate in promoting organ donation to potential donors.