Survey for the Opinion of Medical Students and Medical Staff on a Financial Incentive System for Deceased Organ Donation in an Asian Country

Abstract

BackgroundFinancial incentives for deceased organ donation are associated with many controversial ethical issues. This study examines the perspectives of medical students and staff members on financial incentives for the families of brain-dead organ donors. MethodologyA structured survey form was used between December 7, 2017 and January 28, 2018 to elicit opinions on financial incentives for the families of brain-dead organ donors. Forty-three medical staff members and 81 medical students participated in the survey voluntarily. The opinions on the financial incentive system and the relationship between willingness to give information about organ donation to families and a financial incentive system were assessed. ResultsThe majority of the participants (81.4%) had positive thoughts on organ donation. More than half of the participants (60.5%) thought that the financial incentive system did not erode the ethical purity of organ donation. As charge doctors, most respondents (84.6%) were willing to give information about organ donation to family members in the presence of financial incentives. However, the percentage decreased significantly to 60.5% when financial incentive was no longer factored into consideration (P < .001). LimitationThe study population is small, and the participants are not representative of the general population. ConclusionThe opinions of medical students and medical staff on financial incentives for deceased organ donation were generally positive. Financial incentives proved to be a potential influencing factor as an option of organ donation to be given to families.