Ian Tan, 15

School: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Topic: Little interest in organ donation is due to its complexity

Award: High Distinction, Senior Category, 2024

Enhancing Public Interest in Organ Donation and Transplantation: Overcoming Complexity

Introduction

Organ transplantation. One of the most potent techniques in modern medicine, this process involves the replacement of a patient's organs with those from a suitable donor. When performed successfully, it has one of the highest survival rates among many other surgical operations. Yet, despite its significance, this field has not reached its full potential. Every day, many donors and recipients opt out of an organ transplant due to personal reasons, and 17 people die while waiting for an organ transplant. Some believe that this is due to the inherent complexity of organ donation and transplantation, which may cause the public to lose interest in undergoing these procedures. However, there are other more important factors which need to be considered as well.

The Complexity of Organ Donation and Transplantation

The process of organ donation and transplantation does involve several complicated steps. Before the operation, rigorous medical evaluations are conducted to ensure the donor is compatible with the recipient. Multiple health exams are also required to verify the organs are suitable for donation. These rigorous exams are essential to lessen the likelihood of the organ being rejected by the recipient's immune system, which could result in serious disease or, in the worst-case scenario, death. On top of that, patients are frequently subjected to food restrictions before the operation, which might be problematic.

After the donor has been cleared for the organ transplant, surgery can proceed. These procedures frequently take many hours and necessitate extensive care for several days following the surgery. Furthermore, the potential of complications after organ transplantation may dissuade many people from undergoing the procedure.

Apart from the organ transplantation itself, there are also several legal and ethical frameworks governing organ donation, which could complicate the process even further. Questions of consent, the definition of death, and the equitable allocation of organs all spark heated moral and legal discussions. For instance, the idea of brain death, which is used to identify possible deceased donors, is not universally accepted and understood. The several grey areas surrounding donor selection may result in public scepticism about the trustworthiness of organ donation. Legal regulations can also vary significantly across countries, which greatly affects how organ donation systems operate. Ongoing debates about policies such as presumed consent versus opt-in systems add to the perceived complexity of organ donation, which may further deter public engagement.

Public Awareness and Perception

Public awareness about organ donation and transplantation is often limited and plagued by misconceptions. A large majority of people are unaware of even the most basic facts, such as the number of lives that can be saved by a single donor or the core processes involved in organ transplantation. Moreover, misunderstandings about eligibility, religious concerns and the fear of medical mistreatment if one is a registered donor also contribute to the hesitation of donating one’s organs.

According to research published on the National Institute of Health website, all participants claimed they were aware that organs could be given to save another person’s life. In contrast, however, only 3.3% of participants had completed an organ donation card. When asked for their reasons for refusing organ donation or applying for a donor card, 11.5% of respondents expressed concerns that their organs would not go to the patients who needed them the most. A further 5.8% of participants had concerns that their organs would be used for medical research rather than for patients. These results demonstrate how misunderstanding and uncertainty about the usage of donated organs could deter many from donating their organs.

The way the media portrays organ donation and transplantation often highlighting stories or controversial issues can impact how people view and engage with this subject.

Media Representation

The way the media portrays organ donation and transplantation, often highlighting sensational stories or controversial topics, can distort the public’s perception and interest in this topic. While success stories of transplant patients can inspire potential donors, the focus on rare complications or ethical dilemmas can generate fear and confusion amongst viewers. For instance, stories about organ rejection, surgical complications or black-market organ trade are sensationalised to attract viewers. While such stories are important to address, they might overshadow the generally positive outcomes of organ transplant procedures.

Media initiatives designed to raise awareness must include balanced and informative content. The success of such campaigns is dependent on their ability to simplify complex procedures and information about organ transplantation without compromising accuracy, thereby making the topic more approachable to the general public.

School and Community Programs

Another essential platform for delivering accurate information regarding organ donation and transplantation is educational programs in schools and the community. These programs can provide authentic information and clarify misconceptions surrounding the topic, thereby encouraging a positive attitude towards organ donation. Some programs even involve collaborations with healthcare professionals, who can provide expert insights and personal stories to make the subject more relatable to the general public.

Results from another study published in the National Library of Medicine showed a 60% organ donation rate among volunteer participants from an army unit. Afterwards, a researcher was invited to give a lesson on organ donation and transplantation to the participants. The result was that the organ donation rate jumped to 84%, while wrong beliefs about organ donation disappeared after the lesson. These findings show how proper education about organ donation can greatly improve donation rates and acceptance among many people.

Government and Non-profit Initiatives

Government agencies and non-profit organisations all around the world have launched numerous campaigns to promote organ donation. National Donor Days, social media campaigns and public service announcements all aim to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage people to register as donors.

The impact of these initiatives might vary depending on how appealing and clear their message is. For instance, programs that address common worries and misconceptions simply and understandably tend to be more effective in reaching the general public. These programs thus contribute to increasing interest amongst potential donors.

Discussion: Is Complexity the Main Barrier?

Organ donation and transplantation are indeed complex processes which entail several legal and ethical issues. However, this complexity is but a small factor among many others that reduces public interest in this process. Other factors, such as personal and cultural beliefs, the media’s representation of the issue, and prior education, have a bigger influence on the public’s perception of organ donation and transplantation than the intricacy of the procedures themselves. Furthermore, altruism and the desire to help others can overcome the complexities of organ donation, motivating individuals to donate their organs despite the risks involved.

Effective education programs and good communication with the public are also critical for reducing the perceived complexity of organ donation and transplantation. Methods such as simplifying information about organ donation for the general public, highlighting the benefits of this process, and addressing any concerns people may have about the procedure can all help to raise awareness and interest in organ donation. Therefore, the lack of interest in organ donation and transplantation is more due to how these procedures are presented to the public, rather than the intricacy of the processes themselves.

Addressing Other Barriers

To increase public interest in organ donation, it is essential to address broader barriers beyond the complexity of this process. For instance, cultural and religious beliefs must be respected and could be integrated into educational programs. This could be achieved by engaging community leaders and influencers to advocate for organ donation within their cultural context.

In addition, emotional barriers such as the fear of death or medical mistreatment of donated organs must be addressed as well. These worries could be addressed by explaining the organ transplantation procedure in detail. It is crucial to build the public’s trust in the healthcare system to reduce concerns about the fairness and transparency of organ allocation.

Conclusion

While organ donation and transplantation are indeed complex processes with significant legal and ethical implications, there may be other more important factors which decrease public interest in this matter. To counter this lack of interest in organ donation and transplantation, effective educational programs and outreach must be implemented. Furthermore, clarifying uncertainties and resolving misconceptions about this topic, while considering cultural beliefs and emotional obstacles, could contribute to a more informed and engaged public.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” This sentiment underscores the big impact on organ donation rates that increasing public engagement can create.

References

1. https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC9256434/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22142043 /#:~:text=The%20entire%20organ%20donation%20rate, to%20higher%20organ%20donation%20rates

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg