Myths about organ donation on health personnel, potential recipients and families of potential donors in a peruvian hospital: qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives. To explore the myths about organ donation in a national hospital in Lambayeque, Peru, in 2014. Materials and methods. A qualitative-phenomenological study was conducted with twenty-four depth unstructured interviews to: health personnel, receptor potential and families of potential donors. Sampling was intentional opinion-based, completed by theoretical saturation of each establishment. An interview guide was used, which was evaluated by five experts. Triangulation of data was performed. Results. Twenty-three respondents (95,8%) showed a favorable toward organ donation attitude. In the National Identity, thirteen (54,2%) expressing “no” to donation. The myths were: age or diseases are contraindications to donation; the recipient of an organ undergoes attitudes and feelings of their donor and lives in it; brain death is immobility of the body and a reversible state; religions do not accept organ donation, it affects physical integrity and resurrection; and there are preferences in the waiting list and exist organ trafficking. Conclusions. Myths explored in this study show religious, socio-cultural, psychological and ethical perspectives. The apparent lack of knowledge of the actual diagnosis of brain death is the starting point to mark the donation process. The existence of a hospital coordinator, the role of spiritual guides and the correct information provided by media would be key parts to break down these myths.