Table 2 Themes and Categories
From: The obstacles to organ donation following brain death in Iran: a qualitative study
Themes | Categories |
|---|---|
Inadequate knowledge about brain death and organ transplantation from a dead body | Lack of knowledge about brain death Lack of knowledge about the benefits of organ donation Lack of knowledge about organ donation process |
Cultural beliefs | One’s soul may not rest in peace if the whole corpse is not buried Opening a human’s body is disrespectful to the corpse One is alive as long as the heart is working and the body is warm |
Religious beliefs | If one’s organs are transplanted into another person, all the sins of the receiver will be counted as the donor’s sins. Killing a soul is forbidden by the religion (Haram) Fatalism Belief in miracle |
Deficiencies of requesting process | Lack of a sympathetic atmosphere Lack of counseling services about organ donation Lack of adequate mental support by the relatives Lack of persistence for organ donation |
Fear and concern | Fear of regret Fear of others’ reaction Fear of future tensions in the family |
Inability to make decision | Limited time to think Disagreement among the family members Lack of knowledge about the brain-dead patient’s attitude about organ donation Lack of trust in the medical personnel |
Social learning | Lack of public information efforts about organ donation by the media Not a common practice No similar case happened to relatives and friends |