THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF RENAL DONORS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY FROM INDIA

Abstract

The study explores the decision-making process of renal donors in India, aiming to understand the motivations, emotions, and contextual factors that influence their choices. Through in-depth interviews with a diverse group of kidney donors, the research delves into their personal experiences and the societal pressures that shape their decisions. The findings reveal that altruism, a sense of duty towards family or community, and personal health experiences significantly drive individuals to donate a kidney. Results: Researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 donors the day before their scheduled donation. Data collection involved open-ended questionnaires, which were voice recorded and analysed using a grounded theory and interpretative approach. The findings indicated that the primary motivation for donation stemmed from the suffering of the recipient. Notably, many mothers chose to donate despite the presence of other potential living donors. All participants confirmed that their decision was made voluntarily, without any external pressure. Throughout the interviews, donors consistently expressed that the recipient's recovery was more important than their own health, a sentiment driven by deep emotional connections. Conclusion: The study found no evidence of coercion among donors, who exhibited a strong awareness of their choices and made voluntary decisions driven by emotional motivations. The primary factors influencing their decision to donate were emotional attachments and concerns for the recipient’s well-being, highlighting the profound impact of personal connections in the organ donation process.